from Mega POWER Newsletter, March 2022
The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), along with the concurrent International Builders’ Show (IBS), has returned in full force to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, following last year’s forced hiatus. As per tradition, the white-goods industry is well represented at this week’s event, with appliances aplenty to suit every home.
Whirlpool is making a major statement with its largest-ever KBIS booth, where it’s showcasing a new 30-inch induction Cooktop and a 5.8-cubic-foot, 7-in-1 air fry gas oven. The latter boasts seven cooking modes including air fry, convect bake, convect broil, frozen bake, bake, broil, and keep warm cycles, while its SpeedHeat Burner mode generates the high heat needed to sear and boil quickly for home chefs on a schedule. Featuring fingerprint-resistant stainless-steel outside and cast-iron stove grates on top.
For LG Electronics, the emphasis is on its signature kitchen suite luxury brand, which has expanded its refrigeration line with a first-of-its- kind 48-inch French door fridge. Features include dual compressors and a metal interior to help minimize temperature fluctuations; a convertible drawer with five pre-set temperature settings, from 41 to -6 degrees; fully adjustable door bins, “lift and go” drawers and indirect led lighting; a dual ice maker with options for both conical- And spherical-shaped “craft” ice; “Signature fit” integrated design for proud or flush installation; and stainless steel and panel-ready exterior options.
Meanwhile, Samsung is bringing more than a splash of colour to Orlando’s orange county convention center by extending its vibrant bespoke collection of colorful finishes to the vendor’s line of French door fridges, including its centerpiece family hub. The new Bespoke models will be available in 3-door and 4-door configurations and two finishes: glass and steel. Glass colour choices include clementine, sunrise yellow, pink, morning blue, charcoal, grey, and white, while steel finishes include emerald green, navy, Tuscan, matte black, and stainless steel. In addition, Samsung is offering a limited-edition 4-door Flex refrigerator featuring an abstract jungle print custom-designed by multidisciplinary artist Alex Proba.
GE Profile unveiled a portfolio of smart laundry pairs that includes the first-ever washer with a built-in voice assistant. Part of the manufacturer’s recently announced $450 million capital investment, the three new top-load series and a front-load 950 platform will feature tangle control that adapts the wash action to minimize tangled loads; smarter wash technology that senses dirt and grime Levels in the water and automatically adjusts the cycle accordingly; microban-infused components that provide antimicrobial action; and that aforementioned on-board voice assistant, which lets users listen to music, check the weather, and set custom wash cycles with a verbal command. Will be available in white, sapphire blue, and diamond gray.
