“Nothing will be like before anymore” is a leitmotiv we got used to. The pandemic has severely impacted lives of people and businesses, now engaged in creating a new normal. Some brands of the household appliances sector tell us how they are living this phase

by Elena Corti

After the acute phase of the emergency and the related restrictions, also the home appliance world looks ahead and begins to build a new normality in a context characterized by strong uncertainty. The completely out of the ordinary situation, that companies have had to face, brought the attention on the possible tools that can be adopted to manage such exceptional circumstances, starting from digital technologies to support remote work, avoiding unnecessary movements thanks to the use of videoconferencing and maintaining contact with suppliers and customers. To understand in detail how home appliance companies are moving, we have carried out a survey to which some brands in the sector took part telling us about their strategies and the products they intend to focus on to turn the page and continue to grow.

The flagship products for the recovery In recent months there has been several discussions on how the pandemic and the consequent lockdown period have changed consumer habits, leading to new trends. How did this impact on the appliance sector? Certainly, there has been an increase in interest in devices dedicated to air treatment and sanitization, whose value is now more than ever appreciated. In fact, hoods and purifiers allow to restore indoor air quality, guaranteeing constant cleaning of the rooms from polluting agents. The need for healthy air is combined with the desire for psychophysical well-being. In addition, to meet the needs of consumers, these products combine advanced purification technologies, aesthetic refinement and, in some cases, also connectivity, a feature that is predictably increasingly appreciated given that the Covid-19 emergency has led to greater familiarity with digital technologies. If appliances for the health of environments are certainly among the growing products, kitchen appliances are also in the spotlight. The obligation to stay at home has prompted many people to rediscover the pleasure of cooking and this makes hobs, ovens and cookers products to which is increasingly focused the attention of consumers who are looking for performant appliances (but simple to use) in order to be able to experience cooking at home.

What we asked to companies 1 What are the key points on which you intend to focus your business strategies in order to reach a new normality after the Coronavirus emergency? Will something change compared to the past in your way of working? 2 What are your goals in the near future? 3 How is export going? Have you experienced significant drops due to the lockdown?

BARALDI

«We intend to focus on the production of environments purification and sanitization systems with one of the latest technologies available that reduces the viral and bacterial loads suspended in the air: cold plasma technology. These systems will be available for purchase in various configurations: from small sizes for elevators or wardrobes to larger models for living, school or work spaces. The production will provide both single products and components integrated in our kitchen hoods that are effective against viruses, bacteria, spores, fungi, molds and bad smells.»

1 The challenge taken after the reopening was to rapidly change the consolidated production of kitchen hoods and induction hobs towards air sanitisers dedicated to the home and work environment. It is a project called AirO’ which has been in development for many years and which had a very strong push in the Phase 2 period of the epidemic.

2 The goal we are setting is to carefully follow the demand for a cleaner environment, intended not only as nature in a generic sense, but precisely as a place where a person lives and works. The epidemic pushed towards an even higher level of need for cleaning and sanitation. We had to activate a new production line that manufactures sanitizers of different sizes, based on cold plasma technology for domestic environments, shops, offices, elevators, etc.

 

 

3 Lockdown caused a drastic drop in orders and deliveries abroad but from the restart it seems that the offer of products related to the needs of healthier and safer environments is leading us towards a saturation of the production capacity that we hope will go on in the coming months, especially towards the end of the year. As a good omen we have renamed our factory “pure air factory”.

 

BOMPANI

«In the company we have noticed that the health emergency has pushed people to use kitchen appliances more than before. During the closing period we received numerous requests. Fortunately, communication with customers and consumers has never ceased. This is the advantage of having a national manufacture: consumers know who to contact. Bompani focuses on products that have made our history, namely the cooking appliances, from cookers to ovens and hobs. The oven has returned to being the protagonist in the kitchen: it is an appliance that was probably less used in recent times. But to make bread, cakes and pizza at home it is important to have an excellent oven.»

1 The company only stopped operating as a result of government regulations, but we could have continued to operate safely and thus meet customer orders. Certainly, some of the good practices adopted in this period will be preserved both in terms of health security and the use of information technology.

 

2 Our business has restarted normally. Without a doubt, the effects of the stop for the health emergency will be felt throughout the supply chain and this makes us worried and cautious. The main corporate objective remains unchanged: to continue the product repositioning strategy that is already giving excellent results. The quality of Italian “cooking” is undisputed all over the world.

 

 

 

3 Export represents 90% of our sales. Fortunately, it did not drop, but it is still early to say. Our order book is in line with the budget, but we will better evaluate the situation in the coming months.

 

 

 

 

FABER

«Hood remains our core business and even this year, despite the complexities of the moment, there will be plenty of news that will confirm Faber investments in research and development. This appliance is gaining a central role in the kitchen also as a piece of furniture, as well as being fundamental for improving indoor air quality. In these two directions are positioned the products we are launching during the current year to which, at the turn of 2021, we will add new models that filter air and monitor its quality, communicating the values of the healthiness of the various environments. These latest innovations will further express our mission "Air Matters", that is, the desire to offer high-performant products for the best air quality within the walls of the house, also taking advantage of connectivity: let's not forget that the health emergency has given a strong impulse to the penetration of digital in people's daily lives. In addition, the Faber catalog will continue to expand with new proposals for induction hobs, some with integrated extraction systems, a segment in which Faber Galileo line represents true excellence.»

1 I state that the first variable that has guided and continues to guide our corporate choices is the great sense of responsibility towards the health of all our employees, both internal and external. A choice undertaken since the early stages of lockdown and which today allows us to affirm that we are able to meet the market demand by producing in total safety. This is also the first prerequisite for returning to invest in a sustainable and solid development of our company, strengthened by the usual determination and medium-long term vision that has always distinguished us: an event such as Covid-19 emergency is not only a very demanding challenge for businesses, but also an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of digitalization and a strong relationship with all our employees and partners.

2 One of our priorities is to safeguard the 2020 result, which, although compromised by the lockdown of almost two months, can still allow us to recover some of the lost ground. As always, we will work by carrying out all the strategic objectives that the company has already set, such as consolidating international development on key markets such as Italy, India and the United States (area where Faber has great growth margins) without neglecting the presence in Europe. It is a goal that we intend to achieve thanks to the support of our distributors, business partners and customers that we will continue to involve in an effective promotion of our catalogue and the many innovations that we will present in the coming months. At the same time we want to establish an increasingly direct relationship with the final consumer – in this direction we will continue to invest in the development of channels and in digital communication – and to expand brand awareness and reputation also thanks to the launch of distinctive products.

3 The lockdown weeks obviously marked a strong drop in the production of the Italian factory in Sassoferrato, with consequences on the second quarter of the year which translate into lower results compared to our forecasts for the beginning of the year, but we are strongly committed to recovering this contraction in fast times. The impact of the Covid-19 emergency on sales has occurred and will probably be recorded for the entire fiscal year, but some of our production units in Turkey, Sweden and Mexico have continued to work, albeit at reduced rates, and this placed us in a condition of partial advantage.

 

FALMEC

«In this period the issue of air quality is fundamental and as far as we are concerned it represents a great opportunity to reaffirm our solutions in terms of air treatment and sanitization of environments such as E.ion® System and Bellaria, which are currently having a boom in requests.»

1 During this strange historical period we paradoxically had the opportunity to strengthen relations, albeit at a distance, with our customers, united by a common difficulty and limitation. Thanks to modern videoconferencing tools, however, we have not lost touch and indeed we have discussed and prepared specific actions to be more active in the market. This break taught us to optimize travel and take full advantage of the technological possibilities to better manage and plan our time and activities.

2 Certainly the target remains growth – both in absolute and dimensional terms and in qualitative terms – in the offer of increasingly exclusive and distinctive products, to strengthen the uniqueness of the Falmec brand. We have clear ideas on what the steps are to get back to running once the situation is normalized. We remain positive and optimistic for our near future and for our sector as a whole.
3 In general, exports certainly better withstood the impact of ” Covid hurricane “, even if we nevertheless recorded a drop in sales in some markets, in particular Spain and France. However, we are now seeing very positive signs, both from domestic and foreign markets which bode well for the second half of 2020.

FULGOR MILANO

«In our market offer, cooking appliances (indoor and outdoor) have always been central and therefore, without taking anything away from other sectors such as refrigeration or washing, we will focus more on the development of these products with intrinsic value and unique “flavor”, able to conquer consumers not so much for the price but for what is contained in them and for the satisfaction they will give in their use, with the aim of making people touch with their hands that ‘living better is possible’.»

1 Daily life itself teaches us to respect the new rules of behavior within the company and among collaborators, customers and suppliers. Certainly, this emergency has pushed us to a greater use of the communication technologies that have allowed both the operational continuity and to maintain strong personal relationships and among companies. It is an invaluable teaching for all company dimensions, which will certainly bring benefits also for the future.

2 In the short term, we are very committed to recovering what was lost during the forced closure period, trying, with the collaboration of customers, to catch every opportunity that occurs and that can be pursued economically and with the currently available resources. In the medium term we aim for a greater centrality of our Fulgor Milano brand in industrial and commercial choices, while in the long term we want to “build” our brand as an asset in the Made-in-Italy luxury market.
3 If, with the restart, Italy is giving signs of sometimes unexpected revival, the foreign markets are unfortunately subject – some more and some less – to problems of falling consumption dictated by the past or current Covid-19 emergency. Significant markets for our company such as North America, China, the Middle East and Russia are at the moment (when the article is written, ed.) very contracted and folded in on themselves, even if local operators are not lacking very strong doses of optimism for recover in the future. As for many sectors, also that of the household appliance saw the sell-out drop in the major markets (perhaps excluding Germany only), thus causing an increase in stocks due to the sell-in in the period prior to the lockdown: now these volumes will have to be sold on the market in a F.I.F.O. (first in-first out) dynamic causing a drop in production demand towards the industry. But in all likelihood – and in the absence of further health critical phases – in the last quarter of 2020 we will return to a normalization of the production-distribution-consumption dynamics.

GLEM GAS

«In the immediate future, Specialista by Glem Gas cooking project is having great success in our built-in range, driven even more by an invigorated demand for home cooking. As a brand, free-standing cookers are our leitmotiv and, thanks to a wide and versatile range, we record comforting sales. At the same time, we are continuing with our project to launch the new built-in and free-standing platforms in progress since the beginning of 2020. We expect a lot from both projects, strong and proud of the excellent results achieved abroad.»

1 In the organizational sphere, we have adapted to the situation, reacting to this new challenge since the beginning of March. Since then we have been working following all the indications and protocols in force to avoid any problem for staff: this is obviously the number one priority. Distancing, masks, smart working, Covid-19 operating manuals etc. they are all behaviors and safety measures adopted to better face this new reality.
On the market front, however, we confirm our ambitious strategy and plans. Brand identity is the guide to our proposals: we are Specialisti in Cottura (Specialists in Cooking) and we want to continue offering high added value appliances, which enhance the performance of all home cooks with further more enthusiasm! In this period of reduced freedom, kitchen as a place and cooking have returned strongly in the life of all of us, all over the world! We feel an active part of this new (or more established) social reality and we want to give support with our products to users who will give us this opportunity.

2 We are totally focused on the recovery after the lockdown stop. Fortunately having the order books full, thanks to the collaboration and dedication of our staff, we were committed to processing all requests also in August. For the next future, we want to maintain our leadership positions in Italy and the Middle East where, given the latest events, we see areas of consolidation. In addition to this, we want and must grow in areas that see us as less protagonists: EU, Asia and USA in the first place.

 

3 World is reacting differently according to the areas. EU was hit hard in April by Covid-19 emergency, but is now recovering while Americas are still in the eye of the hurricane. The Middle East and Australia experienced moderate slowdowns followed by a sizable “rebound”. The outlook for the coming months is positive and, despite everything, we are optimistic. We have a few more uncertainties for 2021.

 

 

 

R.G.V.

«We will continue to focus on our range while maintaining our identity and we will go on as we set before Coronavirus without changing our product strategies.»

1 We will pay further more attention to changes, because we are convinced that Coronavirus has greatly accelerated what was already underway, and in particular we will focus on attention to the consumer because it is from here that we start. At this moment, however, we are equally convinced that not everything can depend on us: regardless of our strategies, it is necessary that some time passes before we can arrive at a new normal. Regarding our way of working, I don’t think that, in general, there will be big changes considering the production characteristics of our company as an Italian manufacturer. As I mentioned before, we will pay more attention to everything, therefore also to changes, if it needs.

2 At the moment I think it is impossible to set specific objectives, also because working with foreign markets we will have to wait for “normality” to arrive in all the countries that have been affected by the Coronavirus after us. As I said before, we will pay more attention to everything in order to be ready to start again as quickly as possible.
3 Foreign markets, having been hit by Covid-19 after us, are “blocked” because they are in the same condition in which Italy found itself with the outbreak of the pandemic. Due to this situation, we have experienced sharp drops in exports.

ZEPA-TEKA GROUP

«As far as products are concerned, our focus is on: the new ProLine range, with a “professional” look that will be highly appreciated in the domestic context; Icon, which will restyle our Best Seller in line with the market trend; the new Gas on Glass Premium, which will offer an ideal combination of square and soft lines. So, as it is clear, the positioning of all these new products will aim upwards.»

1 We will continue to focus on innovation and quality, factors which have enabled us to grow and which will help us to do so also in the future. We believe that, after this period, consumers, or at least many of them, will direct their choices towards more responsible consumption: we will try to seize these opportunities by designing products that are increasingly suitable for a circular and environmentally friendly economy.
2 In terms of products, we are completing the development of new hob lines. The goal is to expand our offer in new market segments. We are aiming upwards in the gas sector, to which we have always paid the utmost attention, but we are also expanding in the mixed/electric segment that had not yet seen us perform according to our potential. In a more structural context, however, we are implementing some projects in terms of digitalization of the factory as well as the rationalization of various internal processes; all of course with the aim of increasing our operational efficiency with clear advantages also for our customers.

3 Zepa has taken all the governmental measures imposed by the DPCM (decree of the president of the council of ministers) by keeping the factory closed for several weeks. We have obviously recorded a drop due to the contingent situation which has been managed in the best possible way and today we can certainly say that we have “kept the shock wave well”.
We are also satisfied with the work done because it allowed us to coordinate the orders of our customers without interruptions in supplies, which would obviously have compromised the recovery at the sell-out level. With pleasure we also note a gradual recovery of commercial activities by more and more customers and countries to which we export. With the mission then to transform “challenges into opportunities”, we also highlight numerous positive notes having made agreements with new customers. The potential that we guarantee as a Group is indeed remarkable. Having a supplier like Zepa today means ensuring the collaboration of one of the strongest Group in the market – the Teka world – and the opportunity to include in the catalogue a series of products also complementary to the hobs such as ovens, microwaves, hoods, sinks, as well as special products that can qualify our customer’s OEM brand in an important way. All these products are made within our Group, in the various factories located in many countries of the world.

 

The most forefront built-in refrigerators allow to offer consumers advanced solutions for food storage, perfectly integrating themselves in the kitchen environment

by Elena Corti

From one door to double doors, up to fridge-freezers models: among built-in refrigerators there are several options that can be offered to consumers to help them to find the most suitable solution for their kitchen, combining aesthetics, organization of the internal space and advanced technologies. In addition to the size and type of appliance, when choosing it, it is important to consider, for example, if there is the need of a large area to freeze food or a fridge with a larger capacity than the average. There are products with a design studied to meet particular capacity needs and appliances with reversible doors that not only are useful for perfectly fitting into any kitchen but can also double the refrigeration capacity if two refrigerators are placed side by side and the doors of one of them are inverted.
In terms of internal space organization, in addition to the quantitative aspect it is also important to think about what we are used to storage in the refrigerator. There are in fact several possibilities to find the most suitable place for everything, obtaining the best conservation results. Some manufacturers propose appliances with a specific drawer for meat, fish and dairy products, which is added to that for fruit and vegetables and maintains the ideal temperature and humidity to keep these delicate foods fresh longer.

Among other possibilities, there are the pizza compartment in the freezer and the specific little balconies designed to also store cosmetic products.
Customization and flexibility are among the most considered aspects in the recent models: among the latest proposals, products are available with the inner door equipped with a track system that allows to hook containers of different sizes and types in order to choose the most suitable combination every time and for everybody’s needs. Another solution is that which allows to split one of the shelves thanks to a sliding system enabling the front of the shelf to move under the remaining half (a useful solution for example for placing bottles). Finally, for those who need to use space flexibly, there are also products that allow to vary the temperature of the freezer compartment by choosing among four different modes.

Advanced technologies to satisfy every need

The high technological level reached by the built-in refrigerators makes several advanced functions available to consumers. For example, those who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables could be interested in a device that uses UV rays to recreate the photosynthesis process, preserving the quality and freshness of these foods.

Another important aspect for consumers is that of hygiene: to obtain high performance on this front, it is possible to opt for an appliance equipped with an anti-odor/antibacterial filter or capable of releasing active oxygen. In addition, to preserve food better and longer, the most modern built-in refrigerators are equipped with electronic control and advanced technologies to precisely manage temperature, humidity and air circulation. Different products have two separate cooling systems for the fridge and freezer in order to obtain optimal conditions inside each compartment. Finally, as regards energy efficiency, the Holiday mode, available in some appliances, permits to save energy by turning off only the refrigerator without also turning off the freezer, while the presence of a Digital Inverter compressor ensures efficiency and silence.

Harmony of elements in the kitchen environment The built-in refrigerator meets the needs of those who want a perfect integration between furniture and appliances, obtaining a homogeneous, functional and aesthetically appealing kitchen environment. To propose this type of solution in the best way, it is important to have an overall vision that considers not only the single appliance but the kitchen area as a whole. With Francesco Meneghello, founder of the interior design studio “Il Sentiero delle More”, we deepen how a built-in refrigerator can influence the aesthetic perception of a kitchen. The designer has achieved various international awards and in 2016 he won the honorable mention at the Cristalplant Design Contest in collaboration with Elica. Does the placement of the built-in refrigerator significantly affect the kitchen design? If we start from the assumption that the refrigerator is a central and essential element of the kitchen, there are cases in which it is important to give it a value, a certain presence, especially given the fact that today all the manufacturing companies are able to provide very appealing solutions. Let's also remember solutions, which certainly have more impact in the United States, where the refrigerator can be placed inside an island and access is from above. Certainly more uncomfortable and of limited volume, it however makes up for aesthetic constraints that some customers can request without compromise. Is it possible the positioning of other appliances next to the fridge to create an area of the kitchen dedicated to “Cooling"? We reason a lot on it, dedicating an area not only to "Cooling" but also to “Cooking" and other useful elements such as vacuum systems, steam ovens, low temperature cooking systems, professional machines for coffee, zones dedicated to aromatic plants and spices and much more. This is, in my opinion, the result of a social awareness - and often a fashion - towards the world of cooking and food preparation, given by the media coverage of talent shows such as Masterchef and related ones. The kitchen is increasingly a "tailor-made dress" and the built-in refrigerator is part of this "look": how to harmonize the fridge column with the rest of the kitchen environment on an aesthetic level? Often we try to create a symmetry by arranging a second column on the opposite side, usable as a pantry, or trying to balance the visual impact of a column with other useful components inside the kitchen: for example, breakfast counter and quick lunches, a professional slicer etc. Do a built-in refrigerator and a free-standing refrigerator express two different kitchen ideas? Absolutely yes: the first is part of an aesthetic language in which the technological components of a home are as much as possible hidden by ornamental elements, more or less elaborate, therefore a Japanese descent approach in which there is a rigor of cleanliness and functional accessories appearing only when there is a real need for use. A striking example are kitchens that are born as totally hidden by a boiserie and built into the wall; the second, on the other hand, follows a more western aesthetic trend, in which we often witness the spectacularization of objects, from a simple piece of furniture to an appliance such as a refrigerator. Today both solutions are valid because even the refrigerators on display enjoy a certain beauty and often also become a piece of furniture. It's just a matter of taste.

Italian manufacturing has started to produce again, realizing home appliances combining original taste, elegance and the most advanced technology.
An example of true Italian company is Bompani, which has recently publishing a new corporate video, explaining what being and producing Italian really means. And after the Covid emergency nothing has changed in the commitment of creating quality appliances.
«People must know how much of Italian history there is inside each appliance. – Enrico Vento Chairman of Bompani affirms in the video – Our search for beauty and our project for a true environmental sustainability must be shared with everyone.»
With these words kicked off the creation of the corporate video and put himself personally at stake guiding the audience to discover Bompani brand. “3 minutes of unpublished material – the compamy explains – which unveil the true soul of the brand: the roots of its uniqueness, which plunge in a land of excellence and splendour; the vision of a future which has already began and in which environmental sustainability embodies the new form of beauty.”

Place of honor for the free-standing cooking appliance that extends tradition with current look and performance. Chosen by kitchen enthusiasts to give a professional touch to the environment and to have tools that free the creativity

by Carla Zanardi

Thanks to an imprinting difficult to erase from our imagination. Yes, because kitchen and fireplace have always been associated with the idea of family, warmth, protection, a bit like a mother and the security of her presence.

. So it happens that, despite the evolution of kitchen spaces, increasingly rational, and its hyper-technological appliances, there are still many users that choose the free-standing cooker for their homes. Bringing it, at times, from a house to another in case of moving, and maybe, if it has a vintage style, only as a decoration element. It also enters with full rights into metropolitan environments. As in the United States, where big kitchens are equipped with big appliances too; next to the huge side-by-side refrigerators, free-standing kitchens stand out majestic in the domestic panorama which suggests important convivial habits of strict tradition.

Timeless
In its evolution, the free-standing kitchen has marked several stages. Powered by wood , in past centuries it was also used as a tool to heat the environment (it was called ‘economic kitchen’) “perfuming” it of smoke and slow-cooked dishes, then passed to the wood-gas mixed system, not entirely disappeared in our rural areas.
But the contemporary free-standing kitchen, even if it preserves the memory imprint, has a completely different taste. In style, in performance, in size.

. It is available in a range that goes from small appliances of 50×60 cm (descendants from the first little kitchens of the Fifties), for the typical little kitchens of that time and still nowadays for the small apartments and second homes with small spaces; to the classic 60×60 cm, up to the big 90, and to the very big ones of 100 and 120 cm. For young, temporary, or shared accommodation, it is the most right choice: informal, does not require installation (in a few steps you can have a cooking area ready to use, without any design) and is variable over time.
In any size, the market has a wide stylistic choice, linear, traditional, country, even in numerous colors. Both to coordinate with the furniture and to create contrasts in the contemporary rational environments, or to build an environment with an industrial look, perfect for lofts and for homes recovered from abandoned buildings.

To move with the times
The preference for these blocks, especially if they have big sizes, is also due to functions that expand the performance of the cook. He, finding concentrated all devices for cooking, experiences pleasure of an easy approach, the sensation of a most comfortable control between burners and oven, being enveloped by a privileged cooking atmosphere.
The number of fires (from 4 to 6) changes according to the size, almost always there is a double or triple crown burner and of course safety valves.

As in the best built-in hobs, in addition to rapid burners, double and triple crown, there are burners for wok or fish and, essential for high cuisine, those with minimal power, indispensable for delicate recipes without worrying of having to keep active little flames suitable for creams or bain-marie, and avoid so recurring shutdowns or irreparable burns. Equipment that makes it a professional cooking block, sought by hosts enthusiasts of kitchen and cooking. Moreover, it is possible to find grill plates, often in tepan yaki version to cook without fat. And then the hood, designed in the same styles and colors, especially in high-design or traditional models.

His majesty the oven
The oven does not lack anything. Many features of static and ventilated cooking, programmer, pizza function, grill, probe, defrosting and leavening. And if spaces allows it, it is even double, to cook an entire menu at the same time, or use only the smallest cavity and save energy.
Electric or gas? The most widespread is the electric one, but almost all catalogs offer the gas option. Required mostly by habit but often due to an environmental issue, because methane for its distribution does not require the dispersive passages of electricity that generate greater emissions.

The most eco-friendly, of course, is the electric one powered by renewable energy.
In areas not yet reached by the supply of methane, the user who wishes to avoid the electricity supply, free-standing kitchens help with a compartment to safely house the liquid gas cylinder. Compartment which alternatively can be used as a useful storage zone.

Interview with Ulisse Narcisi Timeless, people still like the free-standing gas cooker. But how much? We measured the phenomenon with Ulisse Narcisi, Designer ARAN World, for the manufacturer of kitchen furniture among the most current and dynamic. Are there many the families who ask you the free-standing cooking appliance instead of the built-in one? For kitchen manufacturers, the highest percentage of sales is today surely represented by built-in. But recently we have recorded an increase in free-standing, in our case linked to furnishing needs. What are the reasons expressed by users for this choice? What age group prevails? I would say that the reasons are many, but as mentioned above, the main one is linked to taste. Only minimally to the possible re-use, then to needs such as a move, temporary housing etc. The range of users is absolutely transversal, the customers who request it are of all ages. Towards what type of device are they oriented: linear, professional, country, small-size, medium, extra-large? It always depends on the taste and preferences expressed by each customer, or on the function of use. For example, today there are many people who follow chefs in their performances, and this leads them to favor certain performance characteristics, perhaps to amaze their guests. What solutions do you adopted to adapt the free-standing appliance to your furnishing project? Basically we create ad hoc furniture that can integrate the free-standing with the various furnishing solutions, but that also maintain the overall harmonious geometry with the rest of the kitchen. The oven: how much is it chosen in the electrical version and how much in the gas one, with what motivation? I can say that the almost total majority chooses it electric, also because of the services and possibilities offered, for example steaming cooking, the combined system, the ventilated, the variety of programs, pyrolysis, etc. In your opinion, do you consider the free-standing choice advantageous for the customer? From what we can see, this choice is prevalent above all as regard the refrigeration, where for example, it is possible to have more varieties of style and functionalities (for example ice or soft drink dispensers); but I can absolutely confirm that the choice of free-standing mainly involves taste and emotion.

Material combinations to communicate the brand identity, thin light lines to enhance or distinguish the surfaces, aesthetic-functional elements able to simplify the use of the product. In the kitchen, as well as in the other rooms of the house, appliances rely on design, on its ability of modulating even smaller components to stand out on the global market.

by Eliviro Di Meo

Kitchen appliances are not all the same. Beyond the technologies, now widespread, that have become heritage of most companies, it is design to provide the added value, able to differentiate the product from the solutions proposed by the main competitors. Not only the project as a compositional whole, but also the attention to detail plays a fundamental role for the recognition of the brand and for its positioning on the international markets. An ergonomic handle, equipped with touch controls, or a smart knob marked by the ring nut containing the LEDs are elements that give character and functionality, contributing to the formal image of the product.
Kitchen hoods as pieces of furniture

Any detail becomes a function in the new Falmec hood, designed by Francesco Lucchese to furnish the kitchen in a unique and personal way. Spazio is a system that amplifies the characteristics of the traditional suspended appliance. Its versatility is a strength achieved by increasing the ability to hold tools and objects, distributed on different levels. If the aromatic plants – a small home garden supplied by the company – have a particular aesthetic value, offering a real interaction with the ingredients necessary for good food, the activities on the work surface are facilitated by a steel line where hanging accessories and a wide LED surface.

Hooks, shelves, electrical outlets and USB ports capable of charging electronic devices such as tablets and smartphones or MP3 players, are not or only the signs and the characterizing features, but also the choice of a careful engineering research aimed to increase the usability of the product both vertically and horizontally.

The beauty of Hive – the iconic suspended hood designed by Giacomo Fava, designer and creative director of Sirius – is the result of the elegant ceramic dome, entirely handmade by master craftsmen of the Umbrian town Deruta, and of a sheet of steel obtained through numerical control machinery, with a luminous circle as frame. «The dome – explains the architect Fava – represents the heart of creativity, the logos instead is entrusted to the design of the filter, whose particular pattern of the perforation wishes to express the cathartic function of the product in its mission to purify the air. This important functionality is conceptually enhanced by a crown of LEDs able to illuminate the surrounding environment». Unlike the appliances of the same type, often confused as chandeliers, the originality of Hive lies precisely in the peculiarity of the filter, which reinforces «the formal will to highlight the main function of the object». The drawing, besides being replicated in other hoods, has also been used for graphic projects, thus becoming from simple detail to main element for the brand communication.

It is minimalist design, intended as a search for the essence of the project itself, to provide the paradigm for understanding the philosophy that is often the basis of an industrial product. In the case of the recent wall-mounted hood conceived by Best, the culture of essentiality is inspired by a simple and linear composition, similar to a contemporary painting where the geometry of the figures emerges from the homogeneity of the background. Frame, with its suggestive black painted finish and with the pewter effect frame – refined compositional detail -, opens a window on the hob, sucking, silently (48-62 dB) and in a short time, fumes and smells.

The shape is not only a container and does not represent the ephemeral run of the designer towards the beauty of the created object. It is communication, in the sense that it communicates, through its chromatic pallet and the material component – both declined in various details – the value that the project conceals. An example? The collection of Still Line hoods by Faber, composed of three different models (ceiling, vertical and inverted T), designed by Angeletti Ruzza Design, characterized by a single fil rouge: the elegant black glass panel combined with a strong steel body. The juxtaposition of the surfaces is underlined by a thin LED light with a reduced power consumption. A solution chosen by Faber to light the hob, paying great attention to the environment. The two designers, Silvana Angeletti and Daniele Ruzza, use the sturdy metallic structure to highlight, in a sort of symbolic recall, the solidity of the technology and the innovative content of this appliance. Still Line also reflects the continuous stylistsic research of the company, represented by definite and minimal lines, which hide avant-garde solutions, expressing the reliability and safety of the products. To complete the whole, the squarcle commands. Modern and functional, they add a touch of class to the collection.
http://vimeo.com/288529530

The material versatility and the wide chromatic choice are the identity character of Pura: one of the top products of Fabita range, born from the pencil of Adriano Design and already winner of the 2015 IF Product Design Award. The simplicity of the lines draws a cube with harmonious fittings, concealing performance of very high level and evoking the right mix of style and modernity, through the combination of materials and shapes. The modular construction system, composed of nodes, rods and panels, allow this hood to be a custom object, tailored made, in order to fit to any environment. The glass, aesthetic and colorful – but it is also possible to choose wood or porcelain stoneware finishes -, is available in several variants: from classic black and white to stronger colors, such as red and orange, up to surprising nuance as yellow or lime green. The aluminum profile is combined with glass, also proposed in different colors. The final result is a distinctive product, where the attention to detail and the reliability of the brand are masterfully combined.

Clean lines for the new generation of ovens

NEXT 60 Smalvic flagship product, is the elegant oven with XXL internal cavity of 74 liters, smoked tempered glass door, activated by touch controls positioned directly on the ergonomic handle. The original design of the latter – a stylized “S” that reminds the “S” of the brand -, made of satin steel, in fact, contains the capacitive intelligence that allows the activation of the appliance, touching intuitive icons that regulate cooking functions and times. The display on the top allows the perfect visualization of operations, in an oven unique on the market for features and research of innovation. NEXT, designed by brogliatotraverso design studio – the atelier headed by the designers from Vicenza Alberto Brogliato and Federico Traverso – was awarded with the 2017 Good Design Award: award annually assigned by the Chicago Athenaeum, Museum of Architecture and Design, in collaboration with The European Center for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies. Besides the functionality, this built-in appliance stands out precisely for its rigorous and essential project. A distillate of pure elegance, perfectly able to transmit the values of Made in Italy, an excellent expression of style and technology.
http://vimeo.com/288530907
(credits B-movie production)

The essentiality of the sign and the refined compositional balance can also be found in the pizza oven (FCLPO 6215 P TM BK) realized by Fulgor Milano. Designed by the Belgian architect Alfred Hendricx, the model is part of the new Cluster Concept series, where the hug of the obsidian black glass with steel suggests the preciousness of a jewel, which emerges from the fusion of volcanic power and the strength of metal. The last born model in the Fulgor house features many pluses. To the structural changes from a technological point of view, such as the increasing cooking functions, become 15, including the system for cooking 2 pizzas simultaneously at 350° C in only 2 minutes and 45 seconds, the restyling of some external components has been added. New, in fact, is the concept of steel handle. Smaller compared to the previous versions, it aligns at the command dashboard, as they want the latest trends. The two lateral slots invite the eye to focus on the center; towards the display – true operative hub of the oven – where the functions are activated, recalled by iconic symbols.

The new era of the freestanding kitchens

More than an industrial object, the kitchen designed by Officine Gullo is a mix of refined details that determine, in some respects, the uniqueness of the product: synthesis of retro taste and contemporary spirit. It is the meeting between the high craftsmanship, strictly Made in Florence, and the most modern technology that provides tailor-made solutions, equipped with the most sophisticated cooking systems. Everything is completely customizable: the composition of the appliances, the shapes, colors and finishes. This is how exclusive furnishing elements are created, conceived to interpret the wishes and habits of buyers. Every detail, even the height of the hobs, is calibrated according to the customer requirements. Starting from the choice of materials: the noblest, such as thick stainless steel, burnished copper, cast iron and forged metal, to arrive then to the advanced technology that characterizes, however, the wide range of professional cooking accessories. The creations of Officine Gullo are comparable to the charm and the performance of a sporty car: a prestigious body that supports an engine with unique performance.

Different in style and design approach, but certainly not in quality, is Panoramagic, the latest range cookers by Ilve. It is the arrival of a wide restructuring program of the company that, for about a year, has review its strategy to give greater emphasis to its historicity in the world of kitchens. Designed by Emo Design – the studio founded by Lukasz Bertoli and Carlo Ciciliot – the project originates from a successful Ilve product of the Seventies: the Panoramagic monoblock, whose name was also adopted. To optimally adapt the facing of the models to contemporary declinations, classic and country, it was necessary to define the architecture of the product with the chameleonic characteristics. This was made possible by directing the design approach not so much on the coating elements as on the need to characterize the general architecture. Dressed in a way or another, this had to be not only recognizable, but also able to marry with the different dresses proposed by the brand. Panoramagic, winner of the Good Design Award, has the front with inclined shape to offer greater functionality. To make the brand even more distinguishable, aesthetic-functional details have been introduced, incorporating the distinctive element of the company logo. The hexagon is, in fact, proposed in the grills of the hob and in the gas control knobs. The LED lights, contained in plastic rings placed between the controls and the steel front, are useful, finally, as feedback to verify the ignition and operation of the appliance, while the lighting of the entire block serves as an ambient light.

The freestanding kitchen of Bompani, finished in corten like the combined hood, has all the charm of the past and the intimacy of the domestic environment. The old style taste, however, does not leave room for the rhetoric of imitation, re-proposing models with limited performances. The opposite is true, instead. The sophisticated design of this kitchen, equipped with comfortable soft knobs and robust cast iron grids, stands out for the efficiency of the results and for the large space destined to the steel worktop, equipped with 5 gas burners with powerful central triple crown. The electric multifunction oven with 7 functions has been designed for a more uniform distribution of heat, able to ensure a multilevel cooking and a high performance level.

Matrix is the freestanding kitchen created by Glem Gas and designed by the designer Marcello Cutino, founder of BCF Immagine e Design. His project immediately shows, without unnecessary decorative tinsel, the advantages offered by this innovative appliance. Hence the choice oriented towards a rational design, which we could define as honest, given the conceptual value that underlies it. «It is rare, speaking of design, to use the word “honest”; usually we hear about a brilliant, characterful, functional, vintage design ». Honest – the designer explains – is a sincere design. The object or the furnishing accessory is coherent with what is expected through its appearance and its performance, its being does not betray false expectations». Matrix best represents the design philosophy and the company mood. Philosophy that translates into the simplification of the product and ease of use. In this kitchen, the control panel uses a new concept for the knobs, intended to communicate a clear image of the functions. The handle to open the oven completely follows the profile of the control panel. The visual and tactile value of the handle is improved thanks to the anodized aluminum finish. The mirrored surface of the door reveals the capacity of the oven cavity, offering a clean and integrated appearance of the kitchen as a whole.

Another success is added to the history and tradition of Bertazzoni. The PROF366GASXT freestanding kitchen of the Professional Series, in red variation, was awarded with the Red Dot in the category Red Dot Award: Product Design 2018. The appliance, designed by Valerio Cometti+V12Design, combines the best engineering functionality with beauty of the typical Italian design, represented in this product by elegant knobs, ergonomically shaped handles and sophisticated finishes. These iconic elements merge the design language with an innovative approach to functions, supported by a deep technical knowledge. The monoblock contains everything a kitchen lover could desire: 6 gas burners and 2 side woks, brass burners and an optional cast iron plate. The gas oven has an extra-large cavity with 7 cooking levels, telescopic guides, oven door with triple internal glass and soft-close system. The bright red color gives personality to the environment. In the Professional range, hi-gloss color finishes are inspired by the impeccable painting of powerful racing cars.

Simplicity of use and functionality

The solutions of Alpes Inox are designed for the top of the kitchen. Their vertical position allows the use of the space below, once finished cooking. The flip-up hobs can be gas or electric with induction, from 2 to 6 burners. They do not require the built-in hole, but only a small opening to guarantee the passage of the electro-gas connection and the fixing of the rear bracket/hinge. Among the projects awarded in more than sixty years life of the Compasso d’Oro, there is also the overturnable hob, designed by Domenico Moretto, which became part of the Historical Collection of the Compasso d’Oro ADI Award. According with the jury, the project of Moretto «with materials and upgraded technologies, represents the classic principle of design task of facilitating lives of those who use the objects: the simplicity of cleaning (even in the dishwasher) of the grids-burners complex and the overturning on the worktop of the entire appliance realize, without renouncing a typically traditional approach, new qualities in terms of space saving, domestic hygiene and ease of use.»

Zepa and Teka Group surprise once again with highly qualified proposals. The new induction hobs I-KNOB are designed to appreciate the ease of use and the intelligent innovation. Practicality, minimum energy consumption, easy maintenance: these are some of the more interesting peculiarities of this product. Its removable magnetic knob, characterized by a LED ring, is the most significant detail. It gives personality to the product becoming its distinctive element. It features, above all, an important level of precision that controls every function. When it is removed, it blocks the hob, making less difficult to clean it.


Induction hobs with integrated hood

The ideal combination of a performant hob with a powerful hood. This is the DNA of Foster Milano Air: the advanced induction hob, perfectly coplanar also in the suction area, equipped with a double 7.3 kW Brige area and ample space generated by the design of the suction grid. This helps to expand the worktop, also optimized by commands compact area, so that pots can slide in absolute security. And it is precisely the ergonomic shape of the grid that facilitates the access to the filters and the collecting tank for cleaning operations. The geometry of the hood ensures abundant capacity in the shelf below, with the possibility of using two deep drawers. The minimalist design is shown by little signs, skinny and essential, that define the composition of the appliance developed and produced by Foster. The chamfering with which the glass is worked on the perimeter profile make the hob precious, ensuring, at the same time, a slight difference in height with the kitchen top both with top-mount installation and in the cabinet. The suction grid, finally, reminds the lines of the sink drain grid always belonging to Foster Milano collection, so creating an harmonious and balanced combination.

The name says everything. It synthesizes, in a single word, the concept and the language of the object. Diamond, the hob with integrated hood realized by Baraldi Cappe, reminds the quality of the most valuable natural stone: the purity, the solidity, the resistance that does not decrease over time. The project is the culmination of a challenge within the company, undertaken by the design and product development team, coordinated by engineers Fabio Cremona and Andrea De Marchi. This appliance is the only one of its kind that provides the possibility of being inspected inside it. It is enough to open the upper part that is hinged to the lower structure through a patented mechanism. With a natural gesture, without tools and without disassembling any elements, users can reach the heart of the product to perform for normal cleaning operations, to then reclose it with extreme ease. At an aesthetic-functional level, two vertical cuts in the glass give life to a linear shape, absolutely free of unnecessary tinsels, accelerating air up to 11 m/s for an effective suction. The same cuts become grip elements for the hands that, once inserted, lift the ceramic glass of the hob.

NikolaTesla Switch, awarded with the Compasso D’Oro ADI for the 2018 edition, is the latest induction hob with integrated suction system by Elica, created by Fabrizio Crisà to revolutionize the daily cooking experience and reverse the point of view of the kitchen. Induction and suction are combined in a single appliance, where the search for balance and extreme attention to detail, combined with innovative features and unique performance, represent the ultimate expression of technology and design. Cooking coexists with the suction power on a large ceramic glass platform, in which no element prevails over the other. Everything is concealed, becoming be-dimensional. And it is the graphic sign that determines the harmony of the compositional whole. «The stroke, the lines and the shape – Fabrizio Crisà explains – are conducted to the minimum, almost in search of a denial of the design, to obtain an essential element». At the center of the top, a ring with a cast iron effect and a glass circle, completely flush surface, hide the integrated hood. By rotating this circular element, the NikolaTesla Switch suction is activated and through the innovative flap releases all its power for a total control of the air. Not only. «The experience of using [the appliance] – the designer says – is given by a direct relationship with the hob, a relationship that has some physicality. The user interacts with the flap, adjusting the functionality at all times and, consequently, modifying its aesthetics», which is reflected in the overall appearance of the product. The controls interface is intuitive and simple to use. Thanks to the fifth direct slider, is totally invisible in the stand-by mode, helping to make NikolaTesla Switch extremely clean in terms of formal beauty.

The minimalist aesthetic is the distinctive feature also of another international brand, BORA: the company that wrote the history of the induction hobs with integrated suction system. The attractive language, composed by clear visual lines – typical of the design culture of the brand – and the maximum of the cooking hobs guarantee the widest flexibility in the design of the kitchen. The modular ones of the BORA Professional line are among the deepest available on the market, with enough space for two large pots, arranged one behind the other. The smart control knob allows to manage several function programs with one hand, up to the temperature indicator. At the same time, the knob provides indications on the functioning of the appliance for immediate control of it. The hob and the integrated hood communicate with each other in an intelligent way. This means comfort, obtained by simply pressing a button, and automatically efficient performance. BORA Professional has received four coveted awards in just a few months after its presentation. From the Red Dot Award: Best of the Best 2017 to the Plus X Award as the best product of the year 2017 for innovation, up to the Good Design Award 2017 and the German Design Award 2018.

Design, advanced technologies and efficiency are firmly intertwined in the cooking products realized by the Made-in-Italy companies: it is a trinomial that was very evident also among the novelties presented at the latest edition of Eurocucina

by Elena Corti

Technological innovation and attention to aesthetics are the two sides of the same coin in the cooking products offered by the Made-in-Italy companies. The two aspects are combined to achieve maximum level of functionality and stylistic refinement. «Technology and design – Lorenzo Poser, Sales and Marketing Director of Falmec, underlines – are often linked, influencing each other and opening new stylistic possibilities. Circle.Tech, for example, is a revolutionary technology that, thanks to the horizontal use of the space, has allowed us to create new design solutions in the kitchen». Made-in-Italy products are frequently known for their innovations in shape and in aesthetic proposals, but they also feature the latest generation functions to guarantee the effectiveness of performance.

«Bompani – declares in this regard Enrico Vento, CEO and President of the company headquartered in Modena – differs from other brands for the wideness and originality of the range of colors and shapes of its products, all rigorously Made-in-Italy. In each product category, whether it is Free-standing or Built-in cooking, Cooling or Washing, our finishes range from the professional stainless steel to the colored crystal, from the glossy painting on metal in all possible colors to material solutions such as the Cor-ten finish used in the latest kitchen presented in the Italian Style Concept area at Cersaie 2017. But there is no lack of cutting-edge contents in these design objects, such as simple and intuitive electronic controls in built-in ovens and free-standing cookers. With regard to smart technologies, Bompani intends to move as much as possible the intelligence of the home automation system to smartphones and tablets, creating a system that has both more premium intelligent components – such as the induction hob with TFT touch controls – and, above all, integrated and add-on solutions that make the eco-system relatively cheap and integrable with more open and widespread solutions of virtual assistants, such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa. The first step will be the launch on the market – within the end of the year – of the new models of induction hob with TFT touch that will control the kitchen hood and will be monitored by a special App for smartphones and tablets.»
The combination of aesthetic refinement and technological innovation is also a determining factor in the choice of purchase, because from the Made-in-Italy product the end user expects not only beauty but also quality. «Shape and technology – they explain from the Marketing Department of Fulgor Milano – are intimately connected each other in the choices of the users, so they turn out to be two sides of the same proposal, which must be explicitly integrated in the design of products thus creating the personality of any single device that we realize, dedicating them to the different desires of the world markets, with a glocal vision, unique but flexible, pursuing the knowledge of the single aspects of daily life and of the many cultures in the kitchen.»

The strong technological component in cooking products has also made it possible to produce more and more performant and efficient appliances. «The focus of these years – Marco Guerzoni, Product Manager of Glem Gas, says – was primarily to evolve the product in terms of energy efficiency without ever compromise the performance level. In this area, technology has allowed us to reach goals previously unreachable. If we think of the shape, which in the home appliances necessarily goes hand in hand with their dimensions, in the Magnifica line the technological evolution allowed us to propose a single 140-liter cavity in a 120 cm wide cooker, guaranteeing increasingly excellent results with unchanged cooking times.»

The combination between technology and design is also linked to the concepts of engineering, research & development and connectivity in view of an evolution of products that looks towards the smart home and the excellence of performance. «Every product we present on the market – Tiziana Prosperi, Technician Graphic & Design at Faber, declares – is a perfect mix of the cornerstones of the company: technology and design. The engineering of a new model is done in close synergy with the R&D department. Talìka is the optimal result of this close collaboration: the design and construction of the Nautilus engine, characterized by a very reduced thickness (only 15 cm), allowed us to create a very innovative hood, the first totally vertical, which becomes a sort of a picture above the hob. In addition, also smart technologies are very important for Faber, a company that has always made of technology a strong point. At the stylistic level, we try to emphasize this aspect by creating continuity. This is the case, for example, of J-Project, an advanced hood that, thanks to the wi-fi connection is connected to the cloud and allows to manage all the functions through its touch screen or with an App through the smartphone.»

«We want to exit from the kitchen – Stefano Molinelli, owner of Fabita underlines – and to create more and more a domotic house, in which hoods, hobs and other appliances will “talk” to each other, improving the quality of life. The Internet of Things, the interaction between home appliances and home, is the future. It is a technology that, although present in still marginal terms, will see an important affirmation in the coming years. If then we restrict the field to the appliances we produce, we can say that the future for the hoods aims straight to air purification and odor elimination systems. As for the hobs, however, the simplicity and immediacy of use, combined with energy savings, are already today the trends that all the biggest companies are following.»

The cooking appliances of latest generation have made a strong contribution to the technological development of the sector, with numerous smart and connected solutions for the remote control of household appliances, a better management of products and the possibility of exploiting the potential deriving from the Network to make the use easier and easier: all this has been possible thanks to an intense research activity carried out by the companies. «Smart technologies – says Paola Gasparini, Managing Director and Marketing Director of Smalvic – certainly represent the pushed innovation. In our company research plays a significant role, because only through a constant research, it is possible to make a serious innovation. In our product, the part dedicated to touch control is increasingly important, to reach the capacitive intelligence of the N|EX|T| oven with digital controls placed directly on the handle.»

Furthermore, innovations are often stimulated by the requirements imposed by the new regulations. «The new rules on improving energy efficiency – explains Evelyn Passanante, Head of Retail Italy of Baraldi – have led us to study shapes that maintain on the one hand all the most aesthetic appeal but that would allow the hood to have a better suction with a more advanced fluid dynamics. The latest products go towards this direction, which brings the shape closer to its maximum technical expression. From this year, then, we have introduced the technology that allows to control some hoods, as well as from the rechargeable touch remote control, also through an App for smartphones. The new electronics, with a series of advanced functions, improves performance and allows a more intuitive and intelligent use of products.»
A central point when talking about appliances for cooking is that technology, and in particular electronics, must not make the product complicated because simplicity of use is essential for consumers. «Technology is almost “hidden” in Ilve products – explains Carlo Illotti , Research & Development Manager of the company – in the sense that deliberately it is not perceived by the end user but works secretly to give superior performance and ease of use. Considering in particular the smart technologies, we are going through a continuous research and development process to introduce even more of these solutions in our appliances according to the increasingly fast and refined requests of the consumer market.»
Finally, the binomial of technology and design, in products for cooking of Made-in-Italy company, is a key element in ensuring the reliability of the appliances, as highlighted by Aldo Moretto, Managing Director of Alpes Inox: «for us the technological aspect it is important above all to guarantee the safety and durability of the product, which must work well and for a long time. Technology and design, then, must favor the ease of use. Our products are practical, performing and last for a long time: this is also possible thanks to the quality of the steel we use and the processing we do internally.»

A further element underlined by several companies of Made-in-Italy is the need to compare with the new technologies related to the smart home, focusing attention on offering functionality that responds to real needs of the user. «Producing only high-end appliances – Giulio Contini, Export Director of Lofra, says – we use the best technologies available on the market, starting with the choice of components. We also pay attention to the electronics, because it is clear that consumer is getting used to certain technologies and in a home appliance he expects to find something similar to what he finds in a smartphone. However, given the peculiarities of cooking appliances, we believe that electronics must really be functional to the product in order to offer real added value ».

«Today, in a medium-high-end household appliance, technology and functionality are as important as design – Luciano Antonini, Managing Director of Zepa underlines, in turn -. As regards electronics in particular, it is clear that millennials, which are now becoming consumers, particularly appreciate smart-type features. However, to date the main obstacle to the diffusion of these technologies is the fact that the 99% of the installed gas product work without electronics. However, there are innovations already available: for example, we realize a gas hob with electronic controls, which could therefore integrate smart technologies. Surely there is a great interest by companies on these issues, but it is important to understand what benefits can really be offered to the consumer, satisfying real needs. The fact of being able to cook using tutorials accessible from the Net can be, for example, an interesting application».

Finally, Marco Guerzoni of Glem Gas highlights what, in his opinion, new technologies will bring more compared to those already in use: «technology in use until today has always been focused on the user/function interface as a support and aid to cooking, in addition to the control of the operation of the product itself. An extraordinary example are the automatic menus with relative Lcd displays or similar. With smart technologies, which are undeniably entering the homes of many people, we see a double trend being added to the current interfaces. First of all, the interconnection and the dialogue between devices, for example hoods that share the operation with the hobs. In addition to this, thanks to the IoT we have provided access to the Web: the Home network of devices that dialogue among them has opened up to the vast world of APPs and related on-line services, a land still to be explored with an immense potential but, at the same time, to understand thoroughly. Looking at the reality of our brand, the smart trend cannot be neglected, but contemporaneously we think that our offer has to maintain a strong sense of practicality and tangibility in anticipation of a normal bucking the effect that the smart technology could have. In summary smart yes, but not everywhere and not necessarily immediately.»

Combining performance, design and efficiency
For many companies of Made-in-Italy the trinomial “technology-design-efficiency” is the basis of the creation of products that must not only be beautiful, but must also be effective and designed to respect the environment. «At Faber – Tiziana Prosperi explains – we have always been convinced that energy efficiency is an important aspect in the production of an electrical appliance like the hood. For us, energy saving is an essential element that complements aesthetics and high-end performance. We have been among the first companies to make hoods in A class, thing that until recently was completely unknown in the industry. Talìka, thanks to its Nautilus engine, can be an excellent example of how Faber has succeeded in combining all these elements: a design hood that guarantees high performance and considerable energy savings.»
Smalvic also expresses a similar opinion, highlighting how the three factors are interconnected. «Energy saving, aesthetics and performance go hand in hand – explains Paola Gasparini -: one aspect does not exclude the others. The sustainability concept, intended at 360 degrees, includes a particular attention to the reduction of energy consumption; obviously every country/geographic area has its needs: exporting a lot, we know it well, starting from Italy with its stratospheric costs for energy, so these aspects are inescapable.» Italian companies are working hard on research to build appliances that offer high performance, without requiring high consumption. «Bompani – says Enrico Vento – focuses very much on environmental sustainability. In our cooking products research and experimentation to reach increasingly better energy classes do not stop to combine excellent results with the minimum energy consumption. So we continue in our path: offering customers Made-in-Italy products more and more beautiful and with more and more reduced energy consumption.»
The attention to sustainability is an element that characterizes both the products and the “style” of a company, as underlined by Lorenzo Poser of Falmec: «For us, energy saving is an important aspect as much as aesthetics and high-level performances. For this reason we have just launched a new engine called Green Tech, able to further reduce consumption and to guarantee up to the A+++ energy class. At Falmec we have always been careful to the environment that surrounds us: this is demonstrated by our commitment to create intelligent products, such as high-tech filtering solutions that contribute to maintaining an optimal thermal insulation in the homes. Also our company policy aimed to reduce waste and exploit clean resources (for example, we have two photovoltaic plants that guarantee us the energy self-sufficiency)».

Infrared Clear Touch controls In the field of kitchen appliances, hoods are among the devices that have better merged design, technology and efficiency. This is the case for example of the Joint hood by Best that is equipped with Clear Touch Infrared controls with buttons serigraphed directly on the transparent glass: it is sufficient to tap the keys to illuminate them and control the appliance. User can manage the three speeds and the intensive mode, the timer for timed shutdown, the grease filter cleaning alarm, as well as the different functions of the product. Joint has been designed to combine advanced technologies and an essential shape, so to fit perfectly into a modern and functional kitchen. The hood is equipped with Led lighting, is in A class and has control sensors able to detect the presence of odors, gas or fumes, so lighting and automatically adjusting the appliance.

Moreover, the efficiency theme is increasingly object of interest by consumers, careful to environmental matters. «Energy efficiency – Stefano Molinelli of Fabita explains – is an important element for the modern consumer, worried about the amount of energy that is used. The energy saving and the choice of materials continue to play an important role in the sustainable kitchen.»
«Energy efficiency, in the case of cooking appliances, often goes hand in hand with performance – underlines in turn Carlo Illotti of Ilve -. However, it happens that in some cases it may be a limit to performance. Ilve prefers to make the two souls coexist: one respectful of energy saving and the another of high-performance: a skillful mix to meet the demands of a sensitive public and careful to the environmental issues.»
Evelyn Passanante of Baraldi, however, says that in her opinion, in the case of hoods, elements such as design and technological performance are still the determining factors for consumers’ purchase choice. «Since the labeling indicating the level of energy efficiency has been introduced also for hoods – Evelyn Passanante declares -, the path towards a greater sensitivity about this theme has begun, but until today it remains a marginal feature in the choice of products by consumers. Aesthetics first, and performances then are still the most felt factors in the purchase evaluation. A hood, in general, due to the fact that it is used with less continuity than other kitchen appliances, allows savings of only a few euros passing from a low to a higher energy class, perhaps for this reason we see that the direction towards energy saving has been taken, but the sensitivity towards this matters still remains limited.»
A further element to consider in the technology-design-efficiency relationship is the importance of the engineering phase. «Today we cannot consciously ignore or disregard the need to reduce global consumption of the planet – they say from the Marketing Department of Fulgor Milano -, an increasingly evident need with the growing of the world population and of private consumption generated in all continents; the savings process must be present from the beginning of the design and in defining the company’s development and manufacturing processes. Consumption must be limited without penalizing the performance of the devices, so as not to reduce the effectiveness of research applied to everyday life.» «We design our appliances to ensure high energy savings and efficiency – Giulio Contini of Lofra explains in turn-. For us it is a fundamental aspect right from the initial design phase. In different markets, the feeling towards eco-sustainability issues can change a lot: there are countries where ‘green’ technology is highly appreciated, others where the local law does not even provide for energy classes. In any case, we aim to design and build appliances that offer maximum performance with maximum energy savings.»

Ilve-Sabaf collaboration for the burners innovation Innovation often comes from the collaboration between appliance manufacturers and component producers. This is the case of Ilve, which has started a project with Sabaf to innovate - both from an aesthetic and functional point of view - the burners that will be inserted in its cooking appliances. Sabaf has developed, tested and produced a line of completely tailor-made burners, combining classic components - such as semi-rapid, rapid and fish-type burners – with even more powerful solutions such as the Double Crown with one or two ways, in order to create a synthesis between design and quality. «We wanted to add a strong innovation to our products - Gianluigi Freschi, CEO of Ilve said - and we have identified, in the burner system, a particularly challenging theme that has thrilled us immediately; our Research and Development Center has redefined the standards and, with the fundamental contribution of the Sabaf R&D, has designed a system capable of transmitting the values for which Ilve is recognized on the market». These burners are supplied by Sabaf exclusively and by virtue of a long-term partnership.

Luciano Antonini of Zepa, moreover, emphasizes not only the need not to waste energy resources and to conceive sustainability at 360 degrees (the company uses energy produced only from renewable sources), but also the need to think about disassembling of a product starting from its design phase. «A significant part of our appliances – Antonini says – uses gas and for this reason we have always had to compare ourselves with the tests of efficiency, in order to make products that do not waste this resource. Furthermore, the topic of sustainability touches another important aspect: the disassembly of devices at the end of their life. From the design we must take care that the product can be easily dismantled so as to facilitate the recovery of materials as much as possible.»
Sustainability finally, can also be a sales driver to focus on, as pointed out by Marco Guerzoni of Glem Gas: «If we talk about EU markets, the topic of energy saving is certainly relevant. Here for a long time we have been living a double effect, mainly imposed by the push of the latest European regulations ( EcoDesign ), but also by the need, in a mature sector with surplus offer, to continuously propose new products that can, riding the trend of energy efficiency, give oxygen to positioning ‘devastated’ by the fierce competition in terms of price. The other world markets in the near future will necessarily come to the same considerations, both for normal evolutionary dynamics and/or for the expansion of an organized distribution that makes of promotional leverage a must for sale.»

Bompani develops and realizes kitchen appliances with a high technological heart and an Italian design. The company products engineering are studied by experts to find the better solution for the final users.
At the beginning of the year, for example, the company concluded the study phase of the “Forno Perfetto” project, set up by the Bompani technical team with the help of researchers and engineers from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and co-financed by Regione Emilia Romagna’s 2014-2020 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational Programme (OP).
The objective was to improve cooking results enabling users to control the temperature and humidity inside the oven thanks to a new steam direct inlet system.
Unimore’s InterMech centre developed a 3D model for the thermo-fluid dynamic simulation of temperature and humidity conditions inside the oven and for testing on both an existing kitchen and the first prototype of the new model.
At the same time, the Democenter – Sipe foundation carried out study and technical analysis procedures. The former focused on the system for the monitoring and measuring of oven temperature and humidity, with particular focus on steam control systems in terms of generation, extraction and sensors. The latter involved an analysis of all new-generation insulating materials that could be used in compliance with future regulatory restrictions on energy efficiency, with particular focus on wool insulation and oven door glass.
The final result was an electric oven prototype that combined internal design, the results of the InterMech experimental model and new insulating materials identified by Democenter.
Over the next few months, the solutions studied and experimented within this project will be tested, manufactured and installed on other products of the Bompani range.

The Italian design, in appliances for cooking, is very appreciated abroad not only for the refinement of its style, but also because it is the expression of a unique culture in the world, made of excellence, quality and innovation

by Elena Corti

Refinement, taste and high quality: this is Made-in-Italy, whose products reflect the culture and lifestyle of a country where beauty is at home. But how is Italian design considered abroad, when we are speaking of home appliances for cooking, and of which values is it an expression? We asked it to some market players: the most recurring answers reveal a “know-how” that combines craftsmanship and innovation, and an aesthetic sensibility that is the result of a historical and cultural heritage of absolute uniqueness.

Materials, styles and colors: creativity takes shape
The latest trends of Made-in-Italy regarding the kitchen environment show a propensity for innovation in the choice of materials and a solid competence regarding processing, treatments and finishes. This is combined with an aesthetic sensibility and creativity that are expressed through a vast series of color and style proposals. Among the kitchen appliances that are offering the most innovative and original solutions in terms of design and functionality, there are certainly hoods. If steel still remains a great protagonist, other materials are opening interesting ways.

«Many of our products – says Tiziana Prosperi from Faber – such as T-Light, are made of stainless steel, an excellent material both from a hygienic and aesthetic point of view, because it is easy to maintain and can be combined with different types of furnishing accessories, be they in wood, lacquered or in other materials. For models that need something extra, we focus on glass, perfect for illuminating some particular shapes. We often work with materials such as polyurethane: plastic, therefore, the ideal to be modeled also on projects characterized by softer lines, and sound-absorbing, optimal for working on noise reduction and therefore on noise pollution. To accentuate the brightness of our products we choose polycarbon for its semi-transparent characteristics. In Faber the material research is very important because it allows to develop innovative projects such as K-arta, the hood created with the handmade paper by the master Sandro Tiberi, or as Thea (island and wall), new model of the Unconventional Country catalog characterized by a wooden frame. In terms of style, the next edition of Eurocucina will be the perfect opportunity to present the innovations we have introduced for vertical models and F-Light hoods. The latter will be characterized by soft lines, to give even more comfort to the kitchen environment. The vertices, instead, with a predominant technological power, are defined by more decisive lines and strong chromatic contrasts. In this regard, concerning color we often use the painted metal, in a glossy and opaque version, to give the possibility to the consumer to choose the one that best matches his kitchen environment. The strength of the finishes signed by Faber are the paintings able to guarantee particular and very requested effects such as cement or copper. We are also focusing on pastel and soft colors, and on shades that can match the kitchen tops, so as to create continuity in the environment. In our palette there is no lack of evergreen like black and white, and explicit references to the latest trends that see Matt colors as protagonists.»
The kitchen hood – explains in turn Evelyn Passanante of Baraldi – remains a home appliance in which metal is still the material of greatest use. Satin steel, sheet metal in various colors and aluminum are the bases for most of the models.

Glass has also been very present for some time with black or white surfaces at sight or with particular effects. Moreover, for the models now on study, they starts to test new technical materials that allow greater formal freedom and new superficial effects. As for the stylistic choices, in addition to the satin stainless steel and white or black that remain the basis for the aesthetic proposal, we are going to present a new line of products where it will be possible to print some digital images on the visible surfaces that can have any coloration. Thanks to a new technology called ‘full color’ it will be possible to work the metal to be able to present it with evocative or emotional images or texturized effects. A new trend could thus be opened, which allows the offer to be expanded and the products to be customized for maximum integration with kitchens of different styles.»
In the range of hoods, innovation is combined with processes that draw from an older knowledge to give life to products of great originality, always starting from quality materials.

«Falmec – Lorenzo Poser declares – uses only highest quality materials, such as AISI 304 steel that is hygienic, easy to clean and very resistant to corrosion. In recent years we have experimented other materials such as copper, ceramic, cement and hand-blown glass by Venetian glassmakers masters. Materials that enhance the ingenuity and craftsmanship skills, unique in the world, rooted in the culture and history of our territory. We also propose original finishes and paintings such as pewter, brass, anthracite and much more.»

To better integrate the home appliance with the environment in which it is placed, companies offer solutions aimed to create a harmony effect among the different elements of the kitchen.

«In addition to the use of steel and glass – says Stefano Molinelli of Fabita, a brand that won the iF Award 2015 for its Pura hood – we are also focusing a lot on the use of materials strictly linked to the kitchen tops (Corian, Kryon and Gres) in order to create a harmonious environment also in terms of finishes. Moreover, we are also activating a research on materials related to the nanotechnology world.»

Regarding the cooking products (ovens, hob and kitchens), there is an important research in terms of materials and aesthetic proposals: from the most minimalist solutions, which mainly focus on glass and steel, to treatments with enamels and paints to get different color variations.

«We use all the suitable materials for the construction of kitchen appliances – explains Paola Gasparini from Smalvic, a company based in the Veneto region that won the Good Design 2017 for the NEXT 60 oven, also competing for the Red Dot Design Award – : the AISI 304 stainless steel, the top of the range of steels; the tempered glass that gives brightness, shine and a sparkling effect; the porcelain enamel, that has always been produced in our company, as our name says (Smalvic stands for Smalterie Vicentine); the vitroceramic crystal, with anti-transparency treatment in Kerablack, material used for some hobs, the porcelain stoneware, a super-resistant material, composed only of natural components, to create some very colorful induction hobs. On an aesthetic level, ours is a very rigorous, clean style: the essentiality of the materials is always in the foreground, accompanied by a high level technological component that allows the everyday appliance to reach professional performance.»

The extra touch of the Italian design Great quality, a network of easily reachable competences and a solid historical-cultural base: these characteristics represent, in brief, the ‘something extra’ of the Italian design according to the BrogliatoTraverso design studio, which has a successful collaboration with Smalvic. «Italy - the designers of the studio based in Veneto explain - can boast a very high quality in terms of work processes and a high level of innovation thanks to the strong concentration of industries, laboratories and research centers that constitute a very significant network of skills. In addition, Italy has truly unique historical and cultural basis and can really be considered a homeland of design at 360 degrees, if one thinks of the large number of personalities that have distinguished themselves in areas such as cars, fashion, art, technological innovation etc. The list of what Italians have invented is huge ".

«In our engineering – underlines in turn the Marketing Department of Fulgor Milano, a company that has just obtained the ADA Award, assigned by Archiproducts in the Tech category for an outdoor cooking appliance – we use metals, plastics, glass, enamels and paintings, combined together to obtain applications of sets that are balanced and allow to achieve the best result to meet the trends of demand and needs that arise every day from the changes in lifestyles. From an aesthetic point of view, this year we will propose to the market colors with a strong personality such as blacks in translucent and opaque versions, as well as a reinterpretation of stainless steel for industrial use.»http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvJMOGnFd-0
Regarding the hobs, glass and vitroceramic are obtaining increasingly successful, as Luciano Antonini from Zepa highlighted.

«Compared to the past in which the demand for steel hobs was prevalent – the manager affirms – today we are recording a growing demand for both glass and vitroceramic hobs. For the latter, in particular, a strong push has also come from the fact that they are appliances in which it is possible to apply the mixed gas-induction technology, a characteristic which is creating more and more interest by our customers. It is enough to think that in 2017 mixed hobs were the products that had the highest percentage growth in our productions. Furthermore, we are experimenting new materials starting from the application of nanotechnologies to obtain a greater ease of cleaning and resistance to gas without having changes in color. For example, we have found solutions to prevent yellowing of stainless steel, thus maintaining the brilliance of the hob over time. In terms of stylistic choices, we focus on clean and minimalist lines, but also with a focus on the style of professional products. We are trying to understand what the new trends will be and I think Eurocucina will be an important opportunity to capture the new furniture trends, which are very significant because the appliance has to be integrated into the kitchen environment.»

The birth of a cooking product «The product research comes from the study of the culinary and food habits of the end user - they explain from Zepa -. This is a first step to create successful products that are appreciated in the markets where they compete.» Just to learn about the habits of food in different parts of the world, the company launches Zepa Food Trip, a Web/Social series with a "young" format that will start from Cuba and then reaches South America and Central America, moving finally to China and other regions of Asia.

If some companies of Made-in-Italy choose for the minimalist style, others focus more on the revisiting of a more classic style, which sees the metals as protagonists.

«The materials we use the most – Giulio Contini of Lofra says – are basically steel, brass and aluminum, because, producing home appliances for cooking, we need solutions very resisting to heat. These materials can be colored or enamelled to obtain different finishes. As for the aesthetics, we have chosen to distinguish ourselves by proposing a style that we call Dolcevita and that reminds the design of the stoves of the past. The products of this line include several chromatic variants, such as Lavender which has found great appreciation on foreign markets. With the cookers of the Curva line we propose a more modern style: it is a design characterized by rounded shapes that we create exclusively because we have registered it. Finally, another area in which we are operating is to offer our customers an ever-increasing possibility of personalization in order to satisfy even special needs.»

http://vimeo.com/260923959
Being able to rely on the presence of several industrial businesses operating within a short distance from each other is certainly a plus for the companies of Made-in-Italy that find fertile ground for experimentation and to be inspired by different skills.

As in the case of Glem Gas, whose products are made not only with stainless steel, but also using crystal, cast iron, aluminum alloys, until arriving in some premium appliances to the ceramic or carbon fiber film. Marco Guerzoni, Product Manager at Glem Gas, explains that «the proximity to cutting-edge motoring realities (Pagani Automobili is located right in front of us) certainly stimulates experimentation towards solutions in vogue in sectors that for obvious reasons are pioneering in this. Our Magnifica carbon look model or the Origine hob are a concrete example of our commitment in this direction. At a stylistic level, then, the Glem Gas cooking product must be part of the kitchen environment. The minimal style does not belong to us, as it simply does not suit us. So we prefer to start from more traditional styles and concepts and revisit them in the contemporary context, maintaining a strong product identity that can be combined with the frequent current need for mergers of style in the home environment. The Matrix line is a clear expression of this concept for us.»

Glem Gas received an honorable mention at the Compasso d’Oro for its Origine hob and the Good Design Award 2015 for the Matrix bi-energy cooker.
The use of high quality materials and the great variety in processing and finishes distinguish the Italian product: kitchen is one of the areas where it is more visible the skill of the manufacturer in taking a valuable material and shaping it to realize extremely sophisticated solutions.

«We use all noble materials such as stainless steel, brass and aluminum – explains Carlo Illotti of Ilve , a company that recently won the Good Design Award for the Panoramagic cooker -. Finally, we have also introduced nanotechnology coatings. As regards aesthetics, in furnishing kitchens and partly in household appliances, the theme of color and finishes see us particularly sensitive: we propose our clients different interpretations of steel, both natural and with material finishes. Our offer includes Scotch Brite, one of the most widespread finishes, followed by Nuvolato which is characterized by a surface made of light and dark, and Iron, a perfect example of superficial processing of steel that minimizes the presence of the unaesthetic fingerprints. In terms of color, we offer 5 trendy metals, steel paintings with great value craftsmanship and aesthetic result. Bronzed Gold, Delabrè Gold, Venice Bronze, Pewter and Raw Copper represent areas of taste dedicated to a public that, while appreciating the communicative power of steel, desires trendy representations that only these nuances can transmit. Our steels, however, also live in flat-colored finishes that enhance and strongly characterize the products, making them unique and distinctive; among the 6 available finishes certainly the Bianco Antico (ancient white), the very modern Matt Grafite and the timeless Rosso Borgogna (Borgogna Red) stand out. In addition, the Ilve range includes 5 clay finishes, the result of a research that has favored material yield, tactile sensation and durability: totally natural, spread by hand and, therefore, real interpretations, unique and original, the clays are tested to resist even to the aggression of oils and acids. In addition, they are indifferent to high temperatures and easily washable with water and detergent.»

Finally, in addition to the variety of the proposals, another strength of the Made-in-Italy companies is the ability to create flexible and customizable products, with a sartorial skill that allows to find the right solution for every need. This is the direction followed by of Alpes Inox, a company that has been distinguishing itself for 64 years for its skill in shaping steel and which won the 18th Compasso d’Oro for its flip-up hobs.

Aldo Moretto explains us: «Among the proposals that we will present this year at the Milan Salone del Mobile, there will be also the Liberi in Cucina line. This is a project in which the kitchen is deconstructed and composed of modules (width from 70 to 280 cm) that contain the various functional equipment (washing, cooking, food preparation, etc.). In practice, we have transformed the built-in elements into free-standing ones that the user can align or juxtapose at will to create the various wall or island compositions. In this way, everyone can find the solution that best suits his own needs and, if these changes over time, even the kitchen can vary because it is structured in blocks, thus becoming a very personal environment.» «Our products – Aldo Moretto adds – are all made of stainless steel and are conceived to last for a long time: this is why they are designed almost with a non-design, with a style that must not go out of fashion. The quality of our kitchens is guaranteed by a type of processing that is still crafted in many ways: in the company steel arrives in sheet and all the processing is done internally: we also manufactured the main components such as burners, flame spreader and grids. In this we are an atypical company, but it is precisely the fact of doing everything inside our organization that allows us to control the quality. In order to manage the process, in some cases we also had to invent the production technology.»

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuW71Sy4h 2I

Bompani home appliances are in the background of the new Gabriele Muccino’s movie: “A casa tutti bene”. In this movie, the Bompani products underline the Italian style, living and cooking. Among the appliances of the brand that appear the protagonist is the Retrò refrigerator, in its cream version, around which the film characters live and tell their stories.
The famous director chose a high-level cast, and once again put the family at the center. The story starts with the anniversary of the family patriarchs, celebrated by the members of a large extended family that gather on the island of Ischia, but find themselves forced to live together for three long days because of the stormy sea. The choice of Bompani to represent the Italian kitchen is a great recognition for the company, founded in 1954, that today can offer a wide range of cooking appliances, refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines combining advanced technologies and refined design.

Smart home can really make people’s lives easier. Here are some plusses to underline to the consumer to make him understand the real benefits of intelligent devices in terms of comfort

by Elena Corti

In the smart home, comfort is made possible by connected and smart devices that allow the users to take advantage of new opportunities and services. There are already a lot of household appliances (from White Goods, to Small Appliances, to Air Conditioning), whose features can be managed remotely with an App: one of the main comfort aspects of smart appliances is just the ease with which they can be used; they do not require particular technical skills or complex installation procedures and are managed with tools commonly used by consumers, such as smartphones and tablets. But comfort is not just about remote control of products, it’s also about getting more customization and obtaining use advice, monitoring consumptions, receiving notifications about the state of the appliances maintenance and, depending on the models, using services like doing shopping on-line from the fridge or buying the washing machine or dishwasher detergent automatically. Another important element to highlight is that connected appliances, just thanks to their ability in acquiring data and interacting with the user, are able to provide useful information and learn user preferences.

In the kitchen, for example, the refrigerator with internal cameras can show what’s in the appliance on the smartphone and help consumer’s memory while shopping at the supermarket. Moreover, with certain types of oven, the user can comfortably see video-recipes using the product door as a screen, while with smart coffee machines it is possible to store personal preferences about the dispensed beverages.

In addition, when the end user is cooking, he can easily keep the air clean with a hood able to dialogue with the hob. Regarding laundry, using an App, the customer can, for example, know how much time is missing to the end of the cycle and get advice on the suitable program to activate. Additionally, some models also allow the washing machine and the dryer to communicate in such a way that the latter pre-sets the most appropriate drying parameters. Great comfort is also obtained with to use of a robotic vacuum cleaner for floor cleaning. It is possible to switch on the product with the cell phone and also program the activation: the robot cleans effectively instead of the consumer, avoiding the obstacles.

Finally, there are also smart solutions that ensure comfort and ease of life even in the personal care: the smart toothbrush, for example, through the App, shows the user if he is brushing his teeth properly; the connected balance, on the other hand, computes the body composition and automatically sends the data on the smartphone or tablet so that people can accurately control their physical fitness; and some types of pulsed light epilators, through an App, help to make epilation perfect and optimize the use of the appliance.

Smart entertainment

Also appliances for domestic entertainment are experiencing a revolution that makes them connected and able to offer more functionality. Starting with smart televisions, which create a convergence between the computer world and entertainment: they can, for example, surf the web, streaming, show pictures or videos, play music, allow the access to social networks and view programs on demand. And it is also possible to share content directly from the smartphone in order to watch videos or photos on the TV screen.

Additionally, audio devices can be combined to TV for a latest generation home cinema experience. The soundbar, for example, creates an appealing sound and can be connected to a wireless subwoofer, that can easily be placed on the user preferred room area. Moreover, thanks to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility, there are soundbar and speaker models that connect to mobile devices, allowing music playback and audio streaming.

In addition, with multiroom wireless speaker systems, the user can comfortably listen to favorite music in multiple home rooms from smartphones, tablets, or computers. Finally, among the latest news, there are smart speakers with the integrated Google Assistant.

Delegate to the smart home How does a smart device make everyday life more comfortable? We talked about it to Antonio Bosio, Samsung Product & Solutions Director, who explains how smart home can "widen" life, giving us more free time. How can the smart home increase consumer comfort? Sensors and smart devices simplify the users’ lives and can even anticipate their needs. Thanks to an advanced data use, the smart home manages to "know" what we like and what we do not like, so it dynamically fits our needs. Moreover, it is a home that creates a pleasant sensation of quiet because it allows to keep everything under control. A further comfort is given by the fact that smart devices are able to carry out some actions instead of man. Our Family Hub fridge (see also the post "The Cool Evolution"http://www.homeappliancesworld.com/2017/11/30/the-cool-evolution/ ), for example, is a product able to recognize food inside it, thanks to the cameras it is equipped with. In a very short time it will be able to cross this information with other data (for example, the historical consumption of food, the diet recommended by the nutritionist or the black list of foods that the user does not have to consume) and do the shopping alone so that it is delivered directly to home. Sometimes, in fact, to make the shopping can become a stressful factor for people, especially for those who work a lot: so it is a comfort factor to be able to delegate this activity to an algorithm. Do you think there will be further developments in smart home? Much has been done, but there is still work to do. In my opinion, there are two particularly important aspects to work on: to explain the real benefits of smart home to people and to reason with an open approach to avoid that the many potentially connectible home products cannot dialogue to each other. We are working on both the ambits: we communicate to our end customers that products and services for smart home are already a concrete reality and we are also finishing to develop (when the interview is realized) the Samsung Connect solution that will make it possible to interact not only the Samsung home appliances but also the devices of different manufacturers. Do you think that the connected refrigerator can be an innovation vehicle also for other sectors, for example, making sure that food packaging can be read by the appliance in order to signal the food expiry date? In the prospect, yes, but this will require the collaboration of various parties in the food sector. We are already trying to make the actors of the supply chain aware and set ourselves as a technology enabler.