Gorenje - Buys Asko...!!!!

[chestermikeuk]

Well, now this is interesting news!!!

""Slovenian-based Gorenje has acquired Sweden’s Asko Appliances Group, which was formerly owned by the Italian Antonio Merloni group.

The deal is said to fit in with Gorenje’s strategy of becoming a fast-growing pan-European player.

Asko makes upmarket appliances under the Asko name and mid-market products under the Upo brand.

The Swedish firm makes dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers in Vara, Sweden, and cookers and ovens in Lahti, Finland. It also makes models for the professional and semi-commercial markets.

Gorenje said the acquisition would not affect its production employees in Slovenia as Asko’s production covers wet-wall products that are not produced in Velenje, Slovenia.

Gorenje’s management said it will give more details at a press conference on August 17.""

 

[a440]

Wow,

I wonder if they will drop the Asko name and use Gorenje?

 

[whirlcool]

I would have thought it would have been the other way around.
Didn't see this one coming.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Wouldnt Think So...

it will be dual positioning & branding, Whirlpool now own Matag UK, and use Maytag as a premier brand, (although will they source from Asko still??) I`m sure Gorenje will do the same, their own stuff has such a good reputation that it can stand alone and Asko will be able to justify the premium position...IMHO, Just like Hotpoint/Indesit & Hoover/Candy

 

[newwave1]

Wow. I did not see that coming. Gorenje are certainly ones to watch. From what i've seen they look very well made and interesting machines.

There a smart company. They should no that if they leave Asko well enough alone it will sail along as they have done quite comfortably. I'm so glad they've been able to break free from the cold clutch of merloni. I shudder to think at what could have happened if they had messed with the brand.

Darren

 

[dyson2drums]

WOW

I never saw that coming, Gorenje machines interested me all the way, was very curious (still am). Although i've never seen one in flesh i have seen videos and pictures and seem pretty good machines. ASKO a good reputable brand, servis has gone so that's good for reputation etc.

Hope it's a positive thing for both brands once it'sannounced in the press conference

Eby x x

 

[foraloysius]

Good news indeed!

I was fearing for the future of Asko when it was in the hands of the Antonio Merloni group. Gorenje has a much better reputation. I assume the name Asko will stayin those countries in which the name is already known. In other countries their machines are sold under other brand names as ofcourse. Not only Maytag in the UK but also Electrolux in Switzerland, Eudoria in Austria and Cylinda in Sweden.

UPO is not exactly a mid market product. They are the same as Servis machines and all those other machines labelled different in every country.

 

[tomturbomatic]

When we went to the Kitchen & Bath International show in 2001, ASKO had just joined with an Italian company. When we looked at the dishwashers, it was obvious which models were made where. I hope this will be a move for the better.

 

[paulinroyton]

Gorenje

I was looking on Mike,s website "Thewashingmachineplace", I noticed one Gorenje washing machine came with a 2 years parts & labour guarantee, model no wa 72145, and the wa74163 came with a 5 years guarantee.

The machines are quite reasonable, and look quite sturdy machine.

I think when my Bosch dies I would buy a Gorenje.

Paul

 

[gorenje]

I am happy for this

Hello,

indeed this is interesting news. Here in Slovenia we heard about the acquisition already in May. But at that time that was only rumors, now it's confirmed. I am sure it will not be a double name like Hotpoint-Ariston. Gorenje has a well-recognized name in many east and west European countries and I think it would made no sense to change the name. The same applies to ASKO. I am happy about the acquisition because this is sure good for both the companies. Gorenje will now continue to learn about quality and will have a partner for the production of dishwashers. Since now Gorenje dishwashers was made by Bosch or italian Smeg. Now they will have their own production.
Here in Slovenia for every Gorenje major appliance you get 5 years warranty. Only the one with the Körting brand (BOL Gorenje) have 2 years warranty.

I hope for the best. We will see

Ingemar

 

[ronhic]

Maybe....

....we'll see a return to days of ASEA quality....

or am I deluding myself?

 

[jetcone]

ASEA? Ron please

enlighten the uneducated??

 

[foraloysius]

Asea/Asko history

link to Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asko_Cylinda

 

[ronhic]

ASEA Cylinda...

....washing machines are virtually indestructible...

Their electro-mechanical timers are HUGE...almost 'solid state' in their size...as are their motors and pumps with the overall quality of their machines pretty much equivalent to late 1980's early 1990's Miele...

...then it all started to stumble in the mid 1990's with reports of failures....

...funnily enough, though, their quality seems to be ok at the moment.

AND another interesting tid-bit is that the detergent dispenser on the latest machines works the same as Ariston/some Hotpoint machines in that it swings out, hinged on the left hand side rather than slides out drawer-style...

 

[liberator1509]

I wonder...

what will happen to Maytag UK?