Cool Innovation Opens in Anderson
Anderson, S.C., August 23, 2012 – Electrolux today celebrated the opening of its latest North American research and development center at its Anderson refrigerator products manufacturing plant.
Joined by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Chairman of the Anderson County Council Tom Allen and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Brian White, Electrolux Major Appliances North America President and CEO Jack Truong commented on the significance of the facility saying, “Leading the way in the appliance industry through design and innovation is how we build value for consumers.
“With the addition of this cold technology center, Electrolux is able to not only make our business more competitive, but also continue to grow it. A center like this supports the nearly 1,900 jobs we have at the plant and positions the business to thrive in the future.”
The 43,000 square-foot research and development lab houses 10 new test chambers capable of testing 40 refrigerators at one time. The project represents a $6.3 million investment made by Electrolux as part of its 2011 commitment to invest $45 million over five years in its local operation. This investment ensures the facility will remain competitive in the global market place.
Since the early 1900s, the name Frigidaire has been synonymous with refrigerators. In fact, the common nickname, “Fridge” is derived from Frigidaire after consumers started referring to their refrigerators as simply, “The Frigidaire”.
Electrolux is dedicated to deliver innovation to the appliance market and this new R&D center will continue the Electrolux legacy of firsts in home refrigeration.
The company both invented and introduced the:
• First in-home refrigerator (1913)
• First customer-adjustable Cold Control temperature dial (1929)
• First high-humidity drawer – the “Hydrator” (1930)
• First refrigerator with a completely separate freezer compartment (1948)
• First cycle defrost system – “Cyclamatic” – eliminated defrosting of the refrigerator compartment (1952)
• First “Frost-Proof” refrigerator – eliminated defrosting (1958)
• First built-in ice and water filtration system – “Pure Source” (1995)
As part of this announcement, Electrolux is making a five-year commitment for the creation and support of an Advanced Placement Science class at Crescent High School, a school at which many children of Electrolux employees attend. The commitment will cover the school’s start-up costs and annual needs—estimated to be approximately $100,000. Beginning this school year, the inaugural class is AP Biology. Additional advanced placement science courses will be added in the future.
Opened in 1988, the plant is the largest producer of top-mount refrigerators in North America. The plant produces 15-cubic-foot, 17-cubic-foot and 18-cubic-foot top mount refrigerators. The facility also manufactures under-the-counter refrigerator models and wine coolers. The Anderson refrigerator factory has produced more than 25 million products.
About Electrolux
Electrolux is a global leader in household appliances and appliances for professional use, selling more than 40 million products to customers in more than 150 markets every year. The company focuses on innovative solutions that are thoughtfully designed, based on extensive consumer insight, to meet the real needs of consumers and professionals. Electrolux products include refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, cookers, air-conditioners and small appliances such as vacuum cleaners sold under esteemed brands like Electrolux, AEG, Eureka and Frigidaire. In 2011 Electrolux had sales of $15.7 billion and 58,000 employees. For more information go to www.electrolux.com/press and www.electrolux.com/news/
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