By Alan Wolf
Continuing a longstanding summer tradition, Electrolux has donated thousands of room air conditioners to needy families in one of its U.S. manufacturing towns.
In mid-July, more than $230,000 worth of Frigidaire ACs were distributed to families in Anderson, S.C., to help them battle the summer heat. One recipient, resident Tony Walters, said he was “so grateful” to receive the seasonal gift.
Electrolux, which maintains an expansive U.S. production base in Anderson, said the effort was mounted to “directly improve the wellbeing of families in the community” and in honor of its South Carolina employees.
In past years the company has variously provided ACs to homes in Memphis and Springfield, Tenn., where it also operates production facilities, and in Charlotte, N.C., where Electrolux North America is headquartered. Electrolux traditionally partners with a local nonprofit organization to distribute the air conditioners.
Next year the Swedish manufacturer plans to close its Memphis plant and consolidate all U.S. cooking manufacturing into its Springfield factory, which will be updated and expanded by the fourth quarter of 2020. Electrolux is investing $250 million in the Springfield facility, which is being revamped for “product development, flexibility and competitiveness,” the company said.
Electrolux is similarly investing $250 million to expand and modernize its refrigeration operation in Anderson, with a focus on “product excellence, automation and innovation.” Like Springfield, the project is designed to drive “targeted growth” over the next three to four years, and is expected to be completed within the coming months.
YSN is published by BrandSource parent company AVB Inc.
