Appliance Design - October 2007 - (Page 15)

NEWS WATCH FEDDERS FILES CH. 11. Fedders Corp. a manufacturer of air treatment products based in Liberty Corner, N.J., filed for Chapter 11 protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code for its North American operations. The company said the filing was needed in order to restructure, preserve value and continue operations in North America. The company will seek strategic alternatives, “including a sale of its business units during the reorganization process.” Fedders’ non-North American subsidiaries, which include operations in China, India and the Philippines, were not included in the filing. CHINA TOO EXPENSIVE? Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries (TTI), owner of the Hoover and Vax household appliances brands, says that rising raw material costs, wage inflation and an increased tax burden in China may force it to look elsewhere when it expands future manufacturing capacity. According to the Telegraph newspaper in the U.K., the warning sends an “explicit signal” that China may be relinquishing some cost advantages. The company may be looking to increase its production capacity in low-cost markets that are closer to some of its major customers. These include Mexico, where it already has factories, and possibly lower-cost countries in Eastern Europe, according to the Telegraph. < HAMILTON DEAL ON HOLD. Cleveland-based NACCO Industries Inc. has decided not to pursue the spin-off of its Hamilton Beach/ Proctor-Silex business. In a statement, the company’s board of directors said that while the spinoff is a “strategically compelling transaction,” the current economy does not make it conducive to do so at this time. Hamilton Beach will remain a wholly owned subsidiary of NACCO. LG IS NZ BOUND. LG Electronics has Focus What makes a champion? Natural ability, of course. But also an eye on the prize – dedicated focus – and years of practice! These same qualities elevate Weber Knapp to the gold podium of hardware manufacturers. Focused on helping our customers score market share, Weber Knapp designs custom counterbalance hinging systems that perform! Your hinge can do more than just open and close. Let Weber Knapp give you another edge on the competition! launched a fully owned subsidiary in New Zealand. The company’s goal for LG New Zealand is to duplicate the success of LG Electronics in Australia, which in that country has grown into a manufacturing leader in seven categories including plasma TVs, LCD TVs, home theater and DVD recorders, microwaves, front-load clothes washers and side-by-side refrigerators. CARRIER NAMES EXEC. Robert McDonough has been named president of the Residential and Light Commercial Systems (RLCS) business of Carrier Corp. McDonough replaces Halsey Cook, who is leaving Carrier. McDonough most recently served as president of RLCS Distribution and Aftermarket. 800.828.9254 www.weberknapp.com sales@weberknapp.com For more Information Enter 106 www.applianceDESIGN.com AD06074Web.indd 1 applianceDESIGN October 2007 15 5/3/07 10:06:25 AM http://www.weberknapp.com http://www.weberknapp.com http://www.appliancedesign.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Appliance Design - October 2007

Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Applying Powder Coatings to Plastic Parts is No Longer a Pipe Dream New Technology Platform Provides the Ability for a single IC to Control Two- Motors in a Single Appliance, Simplifying Motor Control Design Advanced Motor-Control Techniques have Become More Accessible to a Wider Array of Appliances, Helping to Improve Efficiency and Reduce Noise Adding USB Host Capability to Appliances Permits In-Field Programming and Acquisition of Test Data ZigBee Modules Make it Easier to Design Wireless Connectivity into Applications New Concepts such as Rapid Tooling and Rapid Injection Molding Provide Stepping Stones Between Prototyping and Full Scale Production A Number of Factors and New Developments Affect the Decision on Whether to Build Prototypes In-House or Outsource to a Service Bureau DesignMart Advertiser’s Index Association Report: CEA

Appliance Design - October 2007

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