Beko, which has taken on Whirlpool and its brands in its European markets, has closed the Cassinetta refrigeration design facility in Italy that has been in operation for over six decades.
“On August 1st the refrigerator design: an Italian excellence that has set an example in the world. From 1 August 2025, a historical department of Italian industry: refrigerator design is the technical and human heart born over 60 years ago under the Ignis brand and then became Whirlpool. A department that has trained generations, created innovations and built a community”. said Salvatore DeCaprio, director of R&D..
It is cited that appliances made in Europe, are under the threat from Chinese makers dumping products in Europe and that this is accelerating.
Italians are very concerned at the closures of production and research facilities of what remains of the Italian whitegoods industry, which was until a few years ago the second largest Italian manufacturing industry after cars. So many are not at all happy at this and other losses in the country.
A Beko comment is reported to be that: “We had announced that we would close the duplications because producing refrigerators and washing machines in Europe today, which are now commodities, is no longer sustainable.”
The Italians ain’t happy.
So much so that they are making plain that a lot of laundry products are now coming exclusively from China, even for well-recognised European brands and let slip that Electrolux may be (or have been) talking to Hisense and Haier about a possible sale or joint venture. Regular readers will recall that we’ve predicted something like that happening for at least a year or two.
Now, some of this we’re having to translate from a translation of rumours and hearsay, so forgive us if it’s a bit odd and not 100% accurate but, worth it for the gossip.
BSH was mentioned in respect to doing something with Electrolux, partly due to its history with Gorenje, which, after decades as a supplier of appliances to the German group, was acquired by Hisense. Which was mooted not so long ago so, that tracks.
But this prompted a pressing official call from Chinese party and government leaders who are strongly opposed to potential transfers of Chinese companies to foreign ownership, for the major Chinese producers to close ranks and forge agreements and collaborations. And this is what led to the recent Midea and Hisense agreement, where they have joined forces.
Interestingly, in all of this, it was stated that Samsung cut its washing production in Poland by 40% and was now importing low-cost appliances from China. Which is interesting.
But Bosch in order to keep prices low and compete, has or is having products made in Turkey and not Germany. There is a wild allegation that some are being badged as Made In Germany but aren’t but, we couldn’t find any evidence to be able to say that was completely true.
It seems that the fallout from Whirlpool bailing from Europe and Beko talking all that one is far from over.
