Meals on Wheels is helping the hungry in Anderson, S.C., with a $35,000 assist from Electrolux.
What’s new and noteworthy at Thor, Fisher & Paykel and Electrolux
By Alan Wolf, YSN
Whether you’re a dealer or a vendor, there’s no rest for the weary in the appliance business. Here then are the latest doings from three of BrandSource’s busy white-goods partners.
Thor Kitchen
The value-oriented luxury brand does it again with what it describes as the industry’s first 36-inch pro-style electric range priced to retail for less than $3,000. The stainless-steel range offers 6-cubic-feet of oven capacity; is powered by five heating elements, including a 3,000W “LightingBoil” element and a 100W warming zone; features a true convection fan that evenly distributes heat from a 1,300W element; and has a frameless, ceramic glass cooktop for easy cleaning that sits flush with any countertop.
“The only 36-inch electric ranges currently available on the market are from luxury appliance brands at a big-ticket price,” said Kyle You, managing director of Thor Kitchen. “With nearly 75 million U.S. households utilizing electricity for cooking, we saw the need for an affordable, 36-inch electric range that offers the same powerful features and functions and sleek, modern design.”
Joining the range is a new 30-inch stablemate and a recent 24-inch compact model, each providing dealers, builders and designers with “modern, premium options without a premium price tag,” the company said.
Related: BrandSource Financial Adds Thor Out West
Fisher & Paykel
The premium appliance maker is helping members open new doors within the builder and designer channel by building out its design development team. New additions under marketing director Paula Smith include design development managers Leslie Deilli-Venneri (Los Angeles); Krystal Hunter (Houston); and the newly promoted Briana Ryan, who joins fellow design development manager Barbara Kessler in New York.
“We are thrilled to see the growth of our design development team with the onboarding of Leslie and Krystal alongside the internal promotion of Briana,” said Kevin Dexter, Fisher & Paykel’s North America president. “We are excited to expand this dynamic team, allowing us to raise Fisher & Paykel brand awareness across our various markets as well as continuing to develop relationships within the design community. I have high confidence in the wonderful talent of this well-rounded team.”
Electrolux
The Swedish manufacturer has long gone above and beyond in support of its U.S. manufacturing base in Anderson, S.C. This week, in response to the dramatic increase in food prices, the company donated $45,000 to the Anderson Emergency Kitchen and Meals on Wheels – Anderson to help feed those in need within the greater community.
As Nolan Pike, president/CEO of Electrolux North America explained, “We are committed to being at the forefront of sustainability and to fighting hunger in our community alongside our strong community partners. We are grateful for the opportunity to support our neighbors by providing access to food and fresh produce as food prices increase.”
Anderson Emergency Kitchen, a local soup kitchen, will use its $10,000 donation to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables — and will keep them crisp in a locally-made Electrolux refrigerator that was donated by the company. Similarly, the manufacturer’s $35,000 donation to Meals on Wheels will go toward the purchase of fresh food, while Electrolux employees have been raising additional funds through a “Hoopin’ for Hunger” basketball competition during March Madness.
