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GE Appliances Pressroom

GE Appliances Pressroom

Keeping Pace With Denver’s Population Boom: GE Appliances Doubles Its Mile-High Warehouse Space With New Distribution Center

Denver, Co—February 13, 2019—In Denver, total new construction starts are up 12 percent and completions for single-family and multifamily homes are up 14 percent. To better serve Denver’s booming population growth, GE Appliances has opened a new Denver Area Distribution Center. With double the capacity, the new warehouse has a completely redesigned material flow intended to drive high efficiency. Investments in technology and infrastructure, including parking for 100 trailers and 70 dock doors, make it easy for customers to get the products they need when they need them.

"GE Appliances’ new Area Distribution Center in Denver joins the leading distribution network in the appliance industry with the ability to deliver products in three days or fewer to 90 percent of U.S. homes,” says Mark Shirkness, vice president of distribution for GE Appliances. “Our Denver location is the blueprint for our future warehouses and distribution capability. It’s a smart facility—a complete redesign of everything we’re doing in our distribution network to better serve our customers."

GE Appliances and its strategic partners have invested more than $150 million to expand GEA’s extensive distribution network with the second of four new facilities opening this week in Denver. This overall GEA distribution expansion will create more than 220 jobs in distribution, delivery and in-home installation.

The new Denver Area Distribution Center is twice as large as the previous location and equipped with high-tech tracking technology to help serve owners and customers better. “This facility allows us to grow with the region as it continues to attract more owners. It also gives us the ability to serve our customers quickly and efficiently, so they can meet the high demand,” says Randall Fong, regional sales manager for GE Appliances.

Radio frequency identification, or RFID technology allows real-time feedback on all vehicles entering and exiting the building that feed “mission control” in Louisville, allowing GEA to provide updates on any shipment across the country. This provides peace of mind not only to customers but also owners who can receive ongoing status updates on their shipments. 

Not only does the smart facility have high-tech tracking capability, it also has high-tech training. By using virtual reality to train new employees on equipment operations, training time is reduced by 60 percent.

About GE Appliances
Today, GE appliances are in 50 percent of all U.S. homes, and our business is committed to serving every family in the country. We are a purpose-rooted and passion-driven organization that believes there is always a better way. We sell products under the Monogram^®, Café™, GE Profile™, GE^®, Haier, and Hotpoint brands. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com.

Company News

GE Appliances Announces Expanded Commercial Leadership Roles to Further Drive Business Growth in the U.S.

“These promotions are part of GE Appliances’ growth plans to become the leading major appliance company in the U.S.,” said Rick Hasselbeck, Chief Commercial Officer for GE Appliances. “As we grow, supporting our customers by being the easiest appliance company with whom to do business is critical to our success. Elevating John’s and Jim’s roles gives us better visibility into customer needs, which is critical to our overall strategy.”

Skaggs and Boyd have close to 50 years of combined industry experience and a proven history of delivering for GEA’s customers. 

• Jim Skaggs has more than 24 years of experience in the industry and has held significant commercial leadership roles within GEA prior to assuming his current role, including Region Manager, Commercial Director and General Manager – Buying Groups and Independents. In his previous position, Skaggs set a strong vision for the retail channel and helped GEA drive impressive double-digit growth across a broad group of customers. Skaggs holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Arizona.
• John Boyd has 23 years of GEA experience in roles of increasing leadership scope, including Region Manager and Commercial Director. Since 2014, Boyd has doubled the size of GEA’s contract business. He is a data-driven leader with deep relationships and is well respected by customers. Boyd holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Business Administration from Old Dominion University.

Today, GE Appliances is present in 50 percent of all U.S. homes, and our commitment is to serve every family in the country. We are a purpose-rooted and passion-driven organization that believes there is always a better way. In 2018, GEA announced a series of investments totaling more than $475 million in product, manufacturing and distribution capabilities, creating more than 1,000 new U.S. jobs.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Hotpoint, Haier, GE^®, GE Profile™, Café™ and Monogram^® brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Company News

GE Appliances Launches Innovative Program to Bring on Board Next Generation of Manufacturers

GEA Chief Operating Officer Melanie Cook and JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio made the announcement today at a press conference at Appliance Park as the company wraps up four weeks of activities celebrating National Manufacturing Month.  

“GE Appliances has been one of Louisville’s leading manufacturers for more than 65 years,” said Cook. “This is a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase the careers available here at GE Appliances while helping to develop our pipeline and recruit and train the American manufacturers of tomorrow.”  

A GE Appliances’ plant in Louisville, KY. GE Appliances launches GEA2DAY, creating 150 new jobs and offering participants up to $6,000 in tuition assistance.

GEA2DAY
The new GE Appliances GEA2DAY program will create an employee workforce that will only work two days a week—Mondays and Fridays. As most full-time employees use their vacation and discretionary days to extend the weekend, GEA created this new program to not only fill a staffing need, but to improve flexibility for those seeking part-time work in a manufacturing environment, with a focus on students who can gain on-the-job experience while earning $14 an hour and up to $6,000 annually for college. 

“Anyone in the community can apply to work as part of GEA2DAY, but we are really excited about the space this creates for JCPS seniors and recent high school graduates,” said Cook.  “These students or recent graduates can work part-time at GE Appliances, earn spending money and receive up to $6,000 every year for college tuition. As manufacturing companies in Kentucky and across the country struggle to find workers with the skills needed to succeed in today’s high-tech manufacturing world, GE Appliances will continue to lead in developing innovative initiatives like GEA2DAY to help address this important local and national issue.”

“This is a life-changing opportunity for students who need the flexibility to go to college and the money to pay for it,” said Dr. Pollio. “I’m very proud that one of my former students from Doss is already part of the GEA2DAY workforce.”  

The new GEA2DAY program will create an additional 150 part-time jobs for Appliance Park.  For more information about the GEA2DAY workforce, visit www.ibuiltthis.com.

Virtual Classroom Experience
Students in the Doss High School manufacturing program will be able to take a virtual tour of GE Appliances in March of 2019 and have a live web chat with employees who currently work at GEA. Students will be able to ask employees about career opportunities, job responsibilities and the education and experience students need to apply for these jobs in the future. 

As part of the virtual classroom initiative, GEA is also aligning the program with the JCPS Backpack of Success Skillsinitiative. Students will be given a real-world manufacturing problem to solve for GE Appliances.  

“I am thrilled that one of our city’s largest employers is embracing this initiative and providing this challenge for our students,” said Dr. Pollio. “Our students at Doss will be able to upload the project to their digital backpacks as evidence and use it as part of their senior defenses to show that they are college and career ready. This is just the type of experience I imagined for our students when we created this initiative.”

The top students will present their projects to a panel of GEA executives. GEA leaders are challenging all Academies of Louisville partners to create similar projects with their partner schools. Cook, who is also on the board of the National Association of Manufacturers, is also encouraging all American manufacturers to partner with their local school districts to launch similar programs in their communities.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Hotpoint, GE^®, Haier, Café™, GE Profile™ and Monogram^® brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Company News

America at Work

GE Appliances Finds Perfect Recipe With SideChef

“Our partnership with SideChef is one more way we are creating experiences for owners that are not only innovative, but also useful and memorable,” said Shawn Stover, vice president of GE Appliances’ Smart Home Solutions team. “Whether consumers want to save money, eat healthier or impress family and friends, SideChef has a recipe to match their needs. This integration is so smart that if a SideChef recipe calls for preheating the oven, no manual operation is required—it will happen automatically.”

For the Modern Home Chef
GE Appliances’ smart hub features a 27-inch smart screen that will be placed at convenient eye level above the range and also serve as an oven hood. The Kitchen Hub includes smart interactive features ranging from video functionality and multiple camera angles to task lighting and video chat.

Now with SideChef, the GE Appliances Kitchen Hub capabilities have been expanded to include:

• Access to recipes from renowned chefs and bloggers
• Robust search filtering to help you narrow your recipe search
• Meal planning
• Digital cookbook creation
• Step-by-step guidance 
• Photo sharing
• Instructional videos
• Hands-free voice command
• Smart appliance control

Through the GE Appliances app, SideChef recipes will also be fully integrated with GE Appliances’ industry-leading breadth of WiFi-connected appliances running on the U+ connect platform.

GE Appliances and SideChef will present their new partnership at the Smart Kitchen Summit where thought leaders from each company will be on hand to showcase the kitchen hub and discuss the collaboration. 

Find even more products for creating real connections for real life from GE Appliances.

About GE Appliances WiFi-Connected Technology
GE Appliances, a Haier company, a leader in WiFi-connected appliance technology, makes owners’ lives easier while improving their daily routines. With its connected suite of GE Appliances, owners can monitor and maintain their home from near or far using their voice or a mobile device. GE Appliances uses the U+ Connect platform as the smart connection that seamlessly integrates their connected appliances with partners, including Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Dash Replenishment, Nest Labs, Drop, IFTTT and Innit. Connected appliances are also updated remotely with new capabilities and can assess their own performance, allowing for unparalleled service. To learn more, visit http://www.geappliances.com/ge/connected-appliances/.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Hotpoint, GE^®, Haier, Café™, GE Profile™ and Monogram^® brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

About SideChef, Inc.
SideChef is an all-in-one home cooking platform that provides over 11,000 free interactive smart recipes with dynamic recipe guidance featuring hands-free voice commands, step-by-step photos, how-to videos, and built-in timers. SideChef offers in-app meal planning, grocery delivery via Amazon Fresh, and connectivity with smart kitchen appliances. Founded by CEO Kevin Yu in 2014, SideChef continues to expand on forward-thinking partnerships from developing smart kitchen software for appliance brands including GE Appliances, Electrolux, V-ZUG, LG, and SHARP to integrations with smart home hubs like Amazon Echo, all designed to meet the everyday needs of the modern home cook. SideChef is available for free on iOS and Android devices. For more information, visit www.sidechef.com.

Hundreds Participate in 4th Annual FirstBuild Hackathon to Find Next Big Idea for the Home

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Sept. 19, 2018—FirstBuild, a global co-creation community backed by GE Appliances, a Haier company, brought together teams of designers, programmers, engineers, students, makers and other innovators for the 4^thAnnual 2018 “Hack the Home” Hackathon. With more than $10,000 in cash and prizes at stake, competitors spent more than 35 hours ideating the next great product for the home.

The top three teams chosen from a pool of more than 30 competing projects were:

• First Place ($3,000): “My Fridge Safe”
  Josh Weil, Eric Ott and Alex Vance, a trio of local makers competing in their third FirstBuild hackathon, invented a locking drawer inside a refrigerator designed to keep medications, alcohol and even food safely locked away from children.
• Second Place ($2,000): “Washing Machine Load Sensor” 
  Team Borderless, comprised of engineering experts and makers from Mexico, Colombia and the U.S., integrated sensor technology into a washer that warns owners through a series of lights if there is too much weight, helping consumers avoid unbalanced loads while also saving water and energy from an overfilled machine.
• Third Place ($1,000): “Multi-Dry”
  A group of GE Appliances Edison engineers built a dishwasher handle that allows warm air to flow through to quickly dry wet hand towels.

“FirstBuild is a community of people who love sharing what they can do, and we’re thrilled to give them a stage to showcase their talents,” said Larry Portaro, executive director of FirstBuild. “Our hackathon offers a glimpse at the future of home products, and we’re constantly amazed at the creativity on display. These competitions challenge our makers to think bigger and bolder and, once again, the teams delivered some truly fantastic products.”

The fourth annual hackathon was judged by FirstBuild staff and sponsors as well as by Dr. Emmanuel Collins, Dean of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering; Grace Simrall, Chief of Civic Innovation and Technology at Louisville Metro Government; and Jimmy DiResta, renowned Master Maker. Additional prizes were up for grabs as teams were challenged to use sponsored products and materials in innovative ways in their designs. Among the highlights:

• Veil, a team comprised mainly of students from Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD), won a $500 sponsor prize from GE Appliances in the Cooking category for its cooktop concealed in a countertop.
• Toast-e, a warming drawer for clothing, won a Samtec sponsor prize for using the company’s connectors and cables to bring its idea to life. Team members represented a diverse group of colleges, including Florida International University, Grand Valley State University in Michigan, as well as the University of Toledo and the University of Dayton, both in Ohio.
• Team Fresh took home FirstBuild’s “Community Favorite” award for rethinking the space inside the refrigerator with its slide-out stack of pantry-style shelves.

The event was also made possible by sponsors like Renesas Electronics, 3M Adhesives, U.S. Steel and Samtec who were on site to support the teams with advice, innovative materials and supplies to build their designs. 

“At 3M, we’re about helping our customers remake the world of manufacturing,” said Jim McKevitt, Manager, 3M Global Appliance Market. “The FirstBuild Hackathon allows us to share our knowledge of material science and assembly with a new generation of engineers while also gaining insights from their experiences.” 

Other notable items from the event include:

• Members from FirstBuild’s newest location in India participated in the hackathon remotely and presented their products via video conference.
• Students from University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Cincinnati, Ferris State University, University of Florida, University of Illinois, Virginia Tech, Iowa State, Auburn and Purdue University participated.

About FirstBuild
FirstBuild is a global co-creation community backed by GE Appliances, a Haier company, that harnesses the power of the maker movement to change the way major home appliances are conceived, designed and manufactured. With centers of excellence in Louisville, Kentucky, Shanghai, China, and Hyderabad, India, as well as an online community of more than 30,000 individuals, FirstBuild quickly delivers better products that improve the lives of consumers. For more information about how to get involved, visit FirstBuild.com.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Hotpoint, GE®, Haier, Café™, GE Profile™ and Monogram® brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company. 
 

FirstBuild

GE Appliances Gives Dish-Drying a Boost with Industry-First Features

“Dry Boost makes dishes cabinet-ready as soon as the cycle completes, taking some of the chore out of doing the dishes,” says Mike Nerdig, senior commercial director, dishwasher, GE Appliances. “At last, dishes are table- or cabinet-ready without the hassle of using a dish towel or having drips on the floor.”

Dry Boost technology is great for items like stadium cups, plasticware, sippy cups or other family favorites.

It’s Not Done Until It’s Dry
Striking the balance between energy efficiency and perfectly clean and dry results has been a challenge for the dishwasher industry. To solve this problem, the engineers at GE Appliances designed innovative new features, including a, dual-wattage heating element and smart algorithms that adjust the heat and time to operate in the drying “sweet spot” for greater efficiency and consistency. Depending on the model, the dishwasher may be vented out via natural convection airflow or incorporate a fan to enhance the drying process. Dry Boost technology is great for items like stadium cups, plasticware, sippy cups or other family favorites.

More First-of-a-Kind Features
“All new GE Appliances plastic tub dishwashers will come with Dry Boost, but it’s not the only new advantage owners will enjoy,” states Nerdig. Other leading features, all industry-first features for plastic tub dishwashers, include:

• Industry-First Third Rack: An extra rackprovides extra loading flexibility and space for items like spatulas, serving ware and cooking utensils. Now available as a standard feature on some models or as an add-on accessory.
• Industry-First Pocket Handle: This pocket door handle has a sleek and versatile appearance and may be installed in tight spaces to maximize your kitchen space.  
• Industry-First Bottle Wash Jets™: GE Appliances leads the industry in wash jets and was the first to offer Bottle Wash Jets. Now, they’ve designed more into the dishwasher to help wash those hard-to-clean items like sports bottles, travel mugs and baby bottles.
• Industry-First WiFi Connect: GE Appliances’ new plastic tub dishwashers are also the first with optional WiFi Connect. Access cycle status and alerts using the GE Kitchen App on your smart device, or with your voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

Consumers can now bring home these new ENERGY STAR^®-qualified dishwashers by visiting their local GE Appliances dealer.Buyers will find an affordable option to fit any budget with units ranging from $449 to $749 MSRP. The new dishwashers with Dry Boost technology are also available in a variety of attractive finishes, including stainless steel, black stainless steel, slate and black slate.

It’s all part of GE Appliances’ commitment to spotless dishware and delighting owners at every turn—or when it’s your turn to unload the dishwasher.

See GE Appliances’ complete line of Dry Boost dishwashers that won’t dry up your savings.

*Three times greater drying performance compared to standard “Heated Dry” function on current GE Appliances plastic tub dishwashers

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Hotpoint^®, GE^®, Haier^®, Café™, GE Profile™ and Monogram^®brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.GEAppliances.com/our-company.

Dishwashers

‘Hey Google, Are My Dishes Clean’: GE Appliances Is First with Full Suites of Connected Appliances that Work Directly with the Google Assistant™

As a trailblazer in Internet of Things (IoT) technology for the home, GE Appliances collaborated with Google to make its many connected kitchen, laundry and comfort products even more convenient and clever. Previously, it was necessary to use GE Appliances’ Geneva Home Action to have a conversation with Google, but now you can skip the Geneva step altogether. Instead of saying, “Hey Google, ask Geneva Home to preheat the oven to 425 degrees,” just say, “Hey Google, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.”

“For GE Appliances, connected leadership starts with consumer tech that is purposeful and practical,”said Shawn Stover, vice president of GE Appliances’ SmartHome Solutions team. “Working with Google, we have created a more natural way to communicate with your appliances that allows you to speak your request like you would with any friend or family member who’s helping around the house.” 

According to Stover, product owners want connected convenience that enables a way of life that didn’t exist just a few years ago. In response, GE Appliances delivered a complete lineup of WiFi Connect appliances that talk directly to the Google Assistant, creating simple solutions and efficiencies within the home.

“Building the strongest roster of smart products that play perfectly together is how we’ll continue to win across all consumer segments, from the first-time buyer to the smart home aficionado,” Stover said. 

GE Appliances is one of the first major appliance manufacturers to offer a full suite of appliances that integrates with the Google Assistant.

Something Exciting for Everyone
Offering a full range of products that include connected refrigerators, ovens, ventilation hoods, dishwashers, air conditioners, washers and dryers, GE Appliances has the appliances consumers need to furnish their smart homes. In fact, shoppers can select from five distinct brands offering a variety of looks and features to fit any budget. From the subtle elegance of Monogram^®appliances to the soft luster of the Café™ collection to the classic look of GE Profile™, GE^®appliances and Haier brand products, there’s something smart and stylish for everyone who wants to make their connected kitchen or laundry room a reality.

“Whether you rank style or performance as the primary feature you seek for appliances, we’ve got it,” Stover said. “We have many models to choose from, and there’s a lot our appliances can do through Actions for the Google Assistant. You can ask the Google Assistant how much time is left on the washer cycle, if the dishes in the dishwasher are clean, to extend the tumble dry cycle or to turn off the air. It’s a continuing conversation you can have that gets more intuitive as you add more appliances to the mix.”

“Over the past year, we've been working closely with top brands like GE Appliances to make it easier than ever to do your daily chores by controlling your home appliances, from dishwashers to refrigerators, directly with the Google Assistant," said Michele Turner, director, Smart Home Ecosystem, Google. "Our integration with GE Appliances lets people speak naturally to the Google Assistant to get things done quickly around the home using just their voice to control GE Appliances’ full suites of connected appliances.”

One Platform to Live On
GE Appliances uses the U+ Connect platform as the “smart connection” that seamlessly integrates the Google Assistant with appliances. Through an open interface protocol, the platform allows for “dialogues” that enable a variety of appliances and services to connect.

“Simply link your account in the Google Home app to U+ Connect, and you are ready to go,” added Stover. “The platform is highly expandable, so you can connect the appliances you buy today or in six months and know they will sync up without a problem. The same goes for our current connected appliance owners as well. The platform is backward-compatible, so you get all the new functionality too.”

U+ Connect also works with other partners like Nest Labs, Innit^®, Drop and other third-party integrations. This makes the platform a powerful tool for not only managing and monitoring appliances, but also improving the security and comfort of the home or trying out tempting new recipes. 

Already Connected? Just Update!
Can’t remember if your appliance has WiFi Connect capability? Simply enter your model number here. Support by product line is also available to help owners connect and take control of their AI concierge.

Check out GE Appliances’ full line of WiFi Connect products.

*Based on currently available Google Direct Action packages for extending the Google Assistant capabilities

About GE Appliances WiFi-Connected Technology
GE Appliances, a Haier company, a leader in WiFi-connected appliance technology, makes owners’ lives easier while improving their daily routines. With its connected suites of GE Appliances, owners can monitor and maintain their home from virtually anywhere. From the kitchen to the laundry room, connected products work with Amazon Alexa^®, the Google Assistant™, Apple^®HomeKit™, Amazon Dash Replenishment^®, Nest Labs, Drop, IFTTT and Innit^®—allowing owners to stay on top of their appliances from near or far using their voice or a mobile device. Connected appliances also are updated remotely with new capabilities and can assess their own performance, allowing for unparalleled service. To learn more, visit http://www.geappliances.com/ge/connected-appliances/.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Hotpoint, GE^®, Haier, Café™, GE Profile™ and Monogram^®brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Connected Home

Antonio Boadas Joins GE Appliances as Chief Communications Officer

“Antonio is a proven communications professional who comes to us with an extensive portfolio of successes in global corporate communications, brand building, citizenship, public affairs and organizational development,” said Kevin Nolan, president and CEO, GE Appliances. “We look forward to Antonio applying his expertise as we shape our business for future growth.”

Boadas most recently served as Director of Global Communications at Procter & Gamble, where he was responsible for operations and development of the company’s communications organization. During his tenure there, he also led external relations for Latin America and communications for India, the Middle East and Africa.

Boadas originates from Venezuela and began his career as a newspaper reporter and magazine editor, making his first steps into the corporate world at Philip Morris as Public Affairs Manager.

In his new role, Boadas will play a strategic role in the continued transformation of GE Appliances by building and protecting the reputation of the business and its brands to become the most trusted and respected company in the U.S.

“We have ambitious investment plans to accelerate our Internet of Things leadership with a go-to-market strategy that puts owner experience at the center of everything we do,” said Nolan. “Antonio will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals through strategic communications and his proven abilities to lead teams and build strong, sustainable brands.”

Boadas succeeds 16-year veteran Deborah Wexler who is stepping down Aug. 31. He will be based at Appliance Park in Louisville and will report directly to Kevin Nolan.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Monogram^®, Café™, GE Profile™, GE™, Haier and Hotpoint brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Company News

Our People

GE Appliances Champions Customization for All with the Matte Collection, the First Line of Appliances for New Café Brand

Reflecting the ever-evolving design and style trends in cabinet hardware and mixed metals, consumers can now mix and match handles and knobs to keep appliances as stylish as the rest of the home.

“We heard consumers loud and clear: They want to infuse their unique style into the kitchen, just like they can everywhere else in the home,” said Rick Hasselbeck, chief commercial officer for GE Appliances. “We strive to be responsive to our consumers’ wants and needs, and we are excited to bring that level of customization in our new Café products. This revolutionizes the purchasing process because it allows consumers to create exactly what they want in the appearance of their appliances. The Café Matte Collection—with its premium metal handles and knobs, combined with our new finishes—marries luxury with affordability, allowing hardware to be continually updated to fit the latest trends and style preferences.”

With a luxe look and a smudge-resistant, soft-touch feel, the Matte White finish offers a fresh approach to a staple kitchen color.

Custom Hardware and Premium Finishes Bring Luxury and Style Without Compromising Affordability 
Custom Hardware Choices 

The Café brand gives the consumer options to change their handles and knobs to different finishes that brings their vision to life. The Matte Collection, which is offered commercially in suites of Matte White with brushed bronze hardware and in a separate offering of Matte Black with brushed stainless hardware, allows consumers to order additional hardware in the store if they choose to re-design the look.

Copper, a classic kitchen staple in both décor and high-end cookware, is the signature Café metal. Each handle in The Matte Collection will carry a copper cuff with a discreet Café logo. Soft brushed copper hardware will also be offered as one of the custom hardware options available for order.

Additionally, consumers can select brushed bronze, brushed stainless or brushed black hardware choices to customize either matte finish and complement their overall kitchen design.

Premium Finishes 
Rooms are always visually evolving. Today, the style-driven consumer–one who loves to entertain and keeps the pulse on the world of décor– is looking for appliances that are flexible with his or her design vision. The Matte Collection's premium finishes in Matte White and Matte Black seamlessly complement premium cabinetry and flooring, setting the stage for mindful layers of warmth, depth and personality.

The soft luster and warmth of the Matte White finish offers a fresh approach to a staple kitchen color. With a luxe look and a smudge-resistant, soft-touch feel, Matte White allows owners to create pops of brightness against dark cabinetry or a seamless blend in an all-white kitchen.

The combination of bold saturations with simple statements characterizes the depth and layering texture of Matte Black. Complementing existing kitchen elements such as stone, wood, brick and eggshell hues, Matte Black is both a sophisticated and grounding finish that can add flair and balance to style-forward kitchens.

Beginning with The Matte Collection, Café appliances will be available for order through mass retail and independent appliance stores in August 2018. Three U.S. GEA manufacturing plants, two in Kentucky and one in Lafayette, Georgia, will make Café cooking products, dishwashers and refrigerators. The collection will have a full suite of appliances, including wall ovens, ranges, cooktops, French door refrigerators, dishwashers and vent hoods. For more information, visit www.CafeAppliances.com. 

View the Café lookbook here.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Hotpoint, GE®, Haier, CAFÉ™, GE Profile™ and Monogram® brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Trends

GE Appliances Re-enters Private-Label Business with Crosley Corporation

“We are very excited about this new partnership with GE Appliances,” said Chris Harris, president and chief executive officer for Crosley Corporation. “The Crosley brand and our customers will benefit immensely from GE Appliances’ world-class products, service and innovation.” 

Crosley is an iconic brand that dates to the early 1900s and currently has 14 distributors and 3,000 independent retailers in the U.S. Known for quality and personalized service, Crosley’s 10-year warranties are among the best in the appliance industry.

“This contract is an important strategic move for both companies, and we are honored to have Crosley’s trust,” said Rick Hasselbeck, chief commercial officer for GE Appliances. “Because of our extensive product portfolio at GE Appliances, we will provide a wide range of appliances suited to the needs of the target consumers for each Crosley brand.” 

GE Appliances will start shipping appliances in September. “Today’s announcement is another step toward GE Appliances’ goal of becoming the leading major appliance business in the U.S.,” said Hasselbeck. “On behalf of our 12,000 employees in the U.S., we couldn’t be more excited to serve this new customer.” 

About Crosley Corporation
America’s iconic brand, Crosley, has a long-standing history of innovation and quality. We proudly provide our exclusively branded appliances to more than 3,000 independent retailers throughout North America. To learn more please visit www.crosley.com.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Monogram®, GE Café™, GE Profile™, GE®, Haier® and Hotpoint® brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Company News

First Apple HomeKit™-Compatible Air Conditioners Now Available from GE Appliances

GE Appliances is the first U.S.-based appliance manufacturer to introduce a product line that works with HomeKit. Now, Apple’s popular home automation platform can combat rising temperatures with advanced comfort control this summer.

A Cool Connection
By adding these units to the Apple Home app, users can demand refreshing cold air with a simple tap or by asking Siri®. Owners can also create automations to instruct a unit to perform certain actions, such as turning on or off at a certain time of day. Units can also be controlled remotely, even outside of the home. No matter what scenes owners choose to set up, it’s easy to program a custom cooling schedule that works for each home.

How It Works:

• Inside the home, owners of GE Appliances’ connected air conditioners can operate the unit from the Apple Home app on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch® or Apple Watch®, by using Siri on any device including HomePod™ or directly from Control Center. 
• Outside the home, owners need a HomeKit home hub (HomePod, 4th generation Apple TV® or an iPad with the latest version of iOS) to remotely control these units or set up automations. 

 “Consumers told us they like how they can create their own schedules to keep rooms comfortable without wasting energy,” said John Desmarais, Commercial Director, Window A/C, Portables & Dehumidifiers for GE Appliances. “Many people also found peace of mind in having control of the unit anywhere they have internet access. We’re pleased to offer the very first air conditioners with HomeKit integration, bringing simple and secure control through the Apple Home app and using Siri. We are confident owners will find the convenience at the tip of their fingers.”

Apple’s popular home automation platform allows owners to combat rising temperatures with advanced comfort control this summer.

Other Features
These ENERGY STAR®-compliant air conditioners allow owners to enjoy four-way air direction by selecting from three cooling settings or choosing “Energy Saver” mode, where the fan and compressor shut off automatically when the room is cool enough.

An electronic digital thermostat and standard remote also make manual operation simple and intuitive, while installation is no worry, thanks to an EZ-Mount window kit that includes everything needed.

Meanwhile, a reminder light tells owners precisely when to replace the filter to keep their unit operating at optimal efficiency.

Get Connected
Those eager to find the new, HomeKit-compatible air conditioning units can visit leading retailers The Home Depot® and Lowe’s® or contact their local authorized GE Appliances dealer. Those who want to discover even more cool products and connected possibilities for the home can visit GE Appliances online to learn about real connections for real life.

About GE Appliances WiFi-Connected Technology
GE Appliances, a Haier company, a leader in WiFi-connected appliance technology, makes owners’ lives easier while improving their daily routines. With its connected suite of GE Appliances, owners can monitor and maintain their home from virtually anywhere. From the kitchen to the laundry room, connected products work with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Dash Replenishment, Nest Labs, Drop, IFTTT, and Innit—allowing owners to stay on top of their appliances from near or far using their voice or a mobile device. Connected appliances also are updated remotely with new capabilities and can assess their own performance, allowing for unparalleled service. To learn more, visit http://www.geappliances.com/ge/connected-appliances/.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Monogram®, GE Café™, GE Profile™, GE™, Haier and Hotpoint brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Air Conditioners - Residential

Connected Home

GE Appliances’ New High-Capacity Fridge stretches beyond the competition

Large Capacity, Little Cost
Meet a fridge that can make a big impact in the kitchen without hurting your wallet. This value-priced model (#GFE26JSMSS) offers the largest capacity in its class*—25.6 cubic feet of usable space for an anticipated MSRP of $2,399. ENERGY STAR^®-qualified, the roomy refrigerator brings owners big storage increases without the big utility bills.

In fact, with all that fresh food space, GE Appliances’ new French door fridge provides about a cubic foot more capacity than comparable models. With open shelving that fits everything from your party trays to sheet cakes to casserole pans, this increase in storage area means owners can pack in more of whatever they please. Whether that’s chilling 50 more soda cans for a backyard barbeque or slicing up 64 oranges for team snacks, owners will find a cubic foot can add up to all kinds of conveniences.

“If you want more flexibility in your refrigerator, we have the answer,” said Lee Lagomarcino, Marketing Director, Refrigeration Products, GE Appliances. “More room can mean less food waste because you can actually see what’s inside your fridge before it spoils, or maybe you’ve wanted to stock up when items go on sale and now you can. At some point we’ve all wished for more room and this unit was designed to solve that problem.”

GE Appliances’ new French-door fridge provides about a cubic foot more capacity than comparable models.

Every Feature You Expect
Incredibly, the product designers at GE Appliances engineered this additional space without cutting corners. Instead of taking up valuable real estate inside the fresh food compartment, the refrigerator’s ice maker is purposely placed in the door to create nearly a cubic foot more usable capacity.

Owners will further appreciate how the GE^™ENERGY STAR^®25.6 Cu. Ft. French door refrigerator easily fits standard kitchen dimensions (unit measures approx. 69-7/8 in. x 36-3/8 in. x 35-5/8 in.), incorporates a convenient bottom freezer (8.1 cu. ft. with two storage baskets) and comes equipped with an in-the-door ice and water dispenser (internal and nondispenser models also available).

The high-capacity fridge also features three full-width, spillproof shelves perfect for fitting pizza boxes, to-go containers and extra gallons of milk that might otherwise go straight to the garbage can. Additionally, the unit is highly configurable with shelves and door bins that can be adjusted to just the right height, while a full-width deli drawer and two humidity-controlled cabinet drawers help meats and produce stay fresher, longer. For smoothie fans, that can mean keeping more crisp apples, ripe bananas and juicy berries on hand for creating flavorful concoctions. 

Additionally, the refrigerator uses an advanced filtration system that reduces harmful contaminants and trace pharmaceuticals from water and ice.** And with crisp, white LED lighting inside, it’s always easy to find what you’re looking for.

Spacious and Stylish
Everyone likes choices, and that’s why GE Appliances is offering its new French door fridge in a range of finishes to match any kitchen. Owners can select from nine options including:

• External dispenser units in Black Stainless, Black Slate, Stainless Steel or Slate
• Internal dispenser units in Stainless Steel, Slate, Black and White
• Nondispenser units in Stainless Steel

Whether feeding a growing family or simply wanting to get organized, consumers can find all the added refrigerator space they crave by visiting their local home retailer or authorized GE Appliances dealer. A complete list of locations is available online.

And for even more “good things, for life,” check out everything GE Appliances has to offer.

*Class defined as French-door-model refrigerator between $951-$2,500 MSRP; claim based on manufacturers’ stated capacity; leading brands include GE Appliances, Samsung, LG and Whirlpool.

**Uses XWF replacement filter; removes 98% of ibuprofen, atenolol, fluoxetine, progesterone and trimethoprim; these pharmaceuticals not necessarily found in all users’ water.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Monogram®, GE Café™, GE Profile™, GE™, Haier and Hotpoint brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Refrigerators & Freezers

Everything is Bigger in Texas: GE Appliances Opens “Texas-Sized” Distribution Center in Dallas

DALLAS, Tx—June 20, 2018—GE Appliances and its strategic partners have invested more than $150 million to expand GEA’s extensive distribution network with the first of four new facilities opening this week in Dallas. This overall expansion will create more than 220 jobs in distribution, delivery and in-home installation.

The new Dallas distribution center in Wildlife Commerce Park is 50 percent larger than the previous location, which will help to serve owners and customers better. “This facility gives us the ability to say yes more often to our customers,” says Brian Gruber, regional sales manager for GE Appliances. “The investment in capacity and technology demonstrates our leadership in logistics.”

“GE Appliances’ new Area Distribution Center in Dallas joins the leading distribution network in the appliance industry with the ability to deliver products in three days or less to 90 percent of U.S. homes,” says Mark Shirkness, vice president of distribution for GE Appliances. “Our Dallas location is the blueprint for our future warehouses and distribution capability. It’s a smart facility – a complete redesign of everything we’re doing in our distribution network to better serve our customers.”

 

The expanded Dallas Distribution center is officially open. Chief Operations Officer Melanie Cook (center) was on hand for the ceremony. The added warehouse capacity allows for the stocking of additional products and accessories. Investments in technology and infrastructure make it easy for customers to get the products they need when they need them.

The new distribution center was designed with the needs of our customers in mind. Additional entry and exit lanes were added, and the facility offers 140 loading docks. Each bay has 10- foot doors making it easier to move large products, and industry leading safety features such as dock levelers and dock locks. 

The will-call area has tripled in size to accommodate local customers. Investments in technology enable our team to know the location of every box inside the warehouse.

About GE Appliances 
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates good things for life through a passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Monogram®, Café™, GE Profile™, GE™, Haier and Hotpoint brands, GE Appliances provides choices for improving kitchens and homes each day. Product offerings include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Company News

Deal: GE Appliances to Create 100 Jobs in Jackson County

“Georgia’s business-friendly climate continues to attract manufacturing leaders such as GE Appliances while driving significant investment opportunities across the state,” said Deal. “By utilizing our highly-skilled workforce and business-ready transportation infrastructure, the company will strengthen its competitive edge and reach customers throughout the Southeast. We value GE Appliances’ commitment to creating quality jobs in Georgia and look forward to strengthening this partnership in the years to come.” 

“GE Appliances is growing, and we are excited to add a new warehouse in Northern Georgia to our network of appliance distribution centers located across the country,” said Mark Shirkness, vice president of distribution for GE Appliances. “The Southeast Region Area Distribution Center will join the largest distribution network in the appliance industry with the ability to deliver products in three days or less to 90 percent of U.S. homes. We are proud to say our delivery and installation quality of service scores are best in class in the home goods category. This new facility in Jackson County will help us build on that record of delivering for our consumers.” 

"We are so excited to welcome GE Appliances to Commerce,” said City of Commerce Mayor Clark Hill. “Their investment in this community will bring quality jobs and open the Highway 98 Corridor to a great future of quality growth. There is no doubt that this will provide significant support to the Commerce City Schools and we look forward to adding our newest corporate citizen with the GE brand that we all know so well." 

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, GE Appliances has a strong presence in Georgia with 1,960 employees at Roper Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary in LaFayette, and 50 employees supporting its Factory Service Operations based out of Atlanta.

“Jackson County’s strategic location, strong workforce and quality of life continue to attract significant investment from well-recognized companies like GE Appliances,” said Jackson County Commission Chairman Tom Crow. “We welcome GE Appliances as a partner in our wonderful community.” 

Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Senior Project Manager Joshua Stephens represented the Global Commerce Division in partnership with the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce and the Electric Cities of Georgia. 

“Industry leader GE Appliances is a welcome addition to our robust business community,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “This is a well-deserved win for Jackson County, and I applaud our local economic development partners for their diligence throughout this project.” 

About GE Appliances 
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates good things for life through a passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Monogram®, Café™, GE Profile™, GE™, Haier and Hotpoint brands, GE Appliances provides choices for improving kitchens and homes each day. Product offerings include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Jen Talaber Ryan 
jen.ryan@georgia.gov 

John Vaughan 
john.vaughan@georgia.gov

Company News

GE Appliances Sets Sights on #1 U.S. Appliance Spot; Investment, Expansion Underway

“One of the most liberating things about being part of Haier is how they are helping us realize our potential and their desire to see GE Appliances grow. We’re free to reinvent our business to achieve growth and industry leadership. Our goal is to become the leading, most consumer-focused and contemporary appliance business in America,” said Kevin Nolan, president & chief executive officer for GE Appliances.

“Haier encourages us to think differently about our future and how we serve our consumers and customers. We now think of ourselves as a two-year-old startup born of more than a century of industry expertise and backed by the world’s largest appliance brand,” Nolan said.

Ambitious Investment Plans
In the two years since its acquisition by Haier, GE Appliances has invested significantly in new technology, products, and manufacturing capability. Over the next five years, the company plans continued investments in new technology, products, and the expansion of its U.S. manufacturing operations and distribution network, including: 

• Growing GEA’s Internet of Things or IoT leadership position, as Haier has done. GEA is investing in capabilities that will, for example, help owners personalize their appliances to serve their unique needs and create their home ecosystem. 
• Investing in its nine U.S. production operations as part of its zero-distance-from-the-customer strategy of making products in the markets where they’re sold. For example, GEA is implementing Haier-developed software called Brilliant Factory that will enable its factories to have more usable data available on mobile devices and laptops than ever before. Real-time, data visualization tools are helping the business make better and faster production decisions because the data they need is at their fingertips. This is already improving overall equipment and production efficiency, improving product quality and reducing costs.
• Investments by GEA and its strategic partners to expand GEA’s extensive distribution network with new facilities in Dallas, Denver, Atlanta and Northern California, creating over 220 jobs in distribution, delivery and in-home installation. 

A New Consumer-focused Operational Strategy
Becoming the leader in the U.S. requires GEA to be closer and more responsive to the consumer than any of its competitors. It has reorganized to achieve that, adopting Haier’s proven practice of creating independent business units that are grounded and guided by local markets and consumer connection. These business units, called “microenterprises,” are entrepreneurial enterprises that are fast and nimble, making decisions once residing solely with the CEO and other senior executives.This strategy allows the microenterprises to quickly pivot to modify their approach and seize new opportunities to create value for consumers. 

A New Go-to-Market Strategy
The business’ transformation extends to GEA’s approach to the market with the guiding principle, “Owner is Boss.” GEA has conducted intensive research and evaluation over the past two years to know all segments of the appliance-buying public better than anyone. That has driven a major change with GEA moving from a branded house to a House of Brands strategy with new, distinct branding and go-to-market strategies for each brand that match what each owner segment wants; Hotpoint®, GE®, Haier®, GE Profile™, GE Café™ and Monogram®. 

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Monogram®, GE Café™, GE Profile™, GE™, Haier® and Hotpoint® brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Company News

The View from Here Is Great! GE Appliances Launches Industry-Exclusive Kitchen Hub at CES

GE Appliances’ kitchen hub is unlike any other kitchen smart device—in both functionality and location. Its placement over the range puts tech where it belongs: at a comfortable viewing level and above the one appliance family and friends gather around while making dinner and conversation at the end of the day.

“The kitchen is the heart of the home, and the range is the heart of the kitchen,” said Shawn Stover, vice president of GE Appliances’ SmartHome Solutions team.  “The original concept was conceived by FirstBuild, GE Appliances’ co-creation community. With the vision of a lot of creative, smart people, we now have the kitchen hub, over the range so owners have the convenience to enjoy the many smart features we have to offer now and in the future.”  

GE Appliances’ kitchen hub provides access to recipes that will impress family and guests.

By becoming part of the Haier Appliance Company, GE Appliances can now leverage a ubiquitous global technology. The smart kitchen hub is enabled by the Haier U+ Smart Life Platform, a proven operating system that is global, open and secure, with virtually endless interoperability possibilities.

Mom’s famous pasta primavera is sure to wow your dinner guests, but you wonder: Was it one clove of garlic—or two? That’s when you invite her to video chat through the kitchen hub and suddenly she’s cooking with you, watching as you add the perfect pinch of this and just a dash of that. Suddenly your doorbell rings, you pull up the video and see your guests have arrived.  You thank your mom for the help, start a playlist for hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and go greet your guests for an amazing meal.

At the time of its official launch later in 2018, smart features will include:

• Live video chat functionality with multiple camera angles, a forward-facing lens so owners can call mom for cooking advice or simply catch up with friends
• Access to recipes and guidance to explore new culinary possibilities that will impress family and guests
• A cooktop-facing camera and ample task lighting make sharing your latest culinary masterpiece on social media easier than ever
• Improved organization with access to calendars and schedules to keep it all straight at the start of a busy day
• Over-the-air updates keep the kitchen hub current and in tune with the latest features

Interactivity and sharing life’s moments are just two uncommon advantages of this over-the-range kitchen hub. This 27-inch smart screen can communicate with other connected appliances including GE brand washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, wall ovens and, of course, ranges. GE Appliances kitchen hub, also provides exhaust hood ventilation.

Experience It at CES
The GE Appliances kitchen hub will be shown at CES in the Haier exhibit (LVCC, Central Hall—11421). Several prototypes, featured in a Black Slate premium finish, will be on display and will take attendees through an interactive demo.

Showgoers can also learn more about the Haier U+ Smart Life Platform that seeks to create a unified world where appliance makers can connect with each other freely, allowing a variety of smart household products and services to communicate. 

Look for GE Appliances’ newest and smartest over-the-range product to arrive in the second half of 2018. In the meantime, fans of easier, more enjoyable living can learn more about real connections for real life by visiting GE Appliances online.

About GE Appliances WiFi-Connected Technology
GE Appliances, a Haier company, a leader in WiFi-connected appliance technology, makes owners’ lives easier while improving their daily routines. With its connected suite of GE Appliances, owners can monitor and maintain their home from virtually anywhere. From the kitchen to the laundry room, connected products work with Amazon Alexa, Dash Replenishment, Nest Labs, Drop, IFTTT, Innit and now Google Assistant—allowing owners to stay on top of their appliances from near or far using their voice or a mobile device. Connected appliances also are updated remotely with new capabilities and can assess their own performance, allowing for unparalleled service. To learn more, visit http://www.geappliances.com/ge/connected-appliances/.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Hotpoint, GE®, Haier, GE Café™, GE Profile™ and Monogram® brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Company News

Cooking

GE Appliances Bolsters Connected Appliances Support Services

“Time is precious for our owners, and they shouldn’t have to wait to get the support they need to get the most out of their connected appliances,” said Shawn Stover, GM – Cross Product, Parts and Connected Home, GE Appliances. “Connected Support, powered by PlumChoice, provides them access to a real human with expertise in everything from minor connectivity issues to complex connections between multiple devices. It’s all part of our commitment to put owners at the center of everything we do.”

Today’s consumers are more aware of connected technologies and look for ways to incorporate them into their lives. They have high expectations and demands for seamless product integrations, and expect brands to not only deliver high-quality products, but also require them to be backed up with exceptional support and service.

GE Appliances’ Connected Support is available online and by phone Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST and Sat.–Sun., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST, even on major U.S. holidays. To contact Connected Support, owners can call 1-800-220-6899 or 1-800-GECARES, or email connected@help.geappliances.com. GE Appliances also plans to offer real-time webchat support as part of a future service expansion. For more information on GE Appliances’ connected leadership, visit www.geappliances.com/connect.

About GE Appliances WiFi-Connected Technology
GE Appliances, a Haier company, a leader in WiFi-connected appliance technology, makes owners’ lives easier while improving their daily routines. With its connected suite of GE Appliances, owners can monitor and maintain their home from virtually anywhere. From the kitchen to the laundry room, connected products work with Amazon Alexa, Dash Replenishment, Nest Labs, Drop, IFTTT and now Google Assistant—allowing owners to stay on top of their appliances from near or far using their voice or a mobile device. Connected appliances also are updated remotely with new capabilities and can assess their own performance, allowing for unparalleled service. To learn more, visit http://www.geappliances.com/ge/connected-appliances/.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, makes moments that matter for our owners through our passion for making great appliances and providing unparalleled services. Owners have more choices than ever before under the Hotpoint, GE^®, Haier, GE Café^™, GE Profile^™ and Monogram^® brands. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Connected Home

GE Appliances Leads in Connectivity for Real Life

GE Appliances is the first manufacturer offering a full suite of connected appliances, made possible through numerous strategic partnerships with fellow leading connected home brands, including Amazon, Google, Nest and more. Through WiFi and app connectivity spanning laundry to refrigerators to wall ovens and more, GE Appliances has made it easier than ever to start cycles, set timers and get cooking from anywhere.

“For us, it’s about bringing industry-first technologies to life that make everyday household tasks easier,” said Shawn Stover, GM – Cross Product, Parts and Connected Home, GE Appliances. “We’ve forged strong relationships with numerous other connected leaders to make it happen. And with more than 100 connected models, we have the largest suite of connected appliances with the features owners want, need and will use in their daily routines.”

GE Appliances and Amazon Echo have teamed up for the ultimate in home convenience. Take charge of the day’s chores using commands such as, “Alexa, ask Geneva when the dishwasher will be finished.” 

Just a few examples of the innovations and industry firsts from the leaders at GE Appliances and its partnerships with smart home leaders include:

• The first connected appliances brand to debut Amazon Alexa voice control skills for a broad range of appliances.
• Integration with Google Assistant across the entire GE Appliances suite of connected appliances, for simple and easy voice control.
• Collaboration with Nest Protect, for real-time alerts sent to your smartphone from GE Appliances if your oven detects smoke, enhancing total home safety.
• Amazon Dash Replenishment with connected laundry and connected dishwashers for easy replenishment of detergent, fabric softener and more.
• The first appliance manufacturer to have its entire appliance suite on the IFTTT “If This Then That” platform.
• Partnership with smart kitchen company Drop to bring new recipe intelligence to GE Appliances’ connected ovens.
• Launching in early 2018, industry-exclusive wall oven cooking algorithms driven by connected technology to help optimize heat and airflow for the desired results, every time.

“The potential for the connected home is enormous. By connecting appliances and other elements of the home, we can help make people’s lives easier, more convenient and less stressful,” Stover said. “We’re always looking for new ways to partner with leading edge companies as owner wants and needs evolve. The possibilities are endless. And we’ll be first to deliver on those possibilities to keep offering ‘good things, for life.’”

For more information on GE Appliances’ connected leadership, visit www.geappliances.com/connect.

About GE Appliances WiFi-Connected Technology
GE Appliances, a Haier company, a leader in WiFi-connected appliance technology, makes owners’ lives easier while improving their daily routines. With its connected suite of GE Appliances, owners can monitor and maintain their home from virtually anywhere. From the kitchen to the laundry room, connected products work with Amazon Alexa, Dash Replenishment, Nest Labs, Drop, IFTTT and now Google Assistant—allowing owners to stay on top of their appliances from near or far using their voice or a mobile device. Connected appliances also are updated remotely with new capabilities and can assess their own performance, allowing for unparalleled service. To learn more, visit http://www.geappliances.com/ge/connected-appliances/.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, makes moments that matter for our owners through our passion for making great appliances and providing unparalleled services. Owners have more choices than ever before under the Hotpoint, GE^®, Haier, GE Café^™, GE Profile^™ and Monogram^® brands. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water filtration systems. For more information visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.

Connected Home

FirstBuild Announces 2017 Hack the Home Mega Hackathon Winners

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—September 12, 2017—FirstBuild, a global co-creation community backed by GE Appliances, a Haier company, announced the winners of its annual “Hack the Home” Mega Hackathon challenge. Teams of more than 200 makers, engineers, programmers, tech enthusiasts, students and designers converged at FirstBuild’s microfactory in Louisville to design, build, code and hack the next generation of smart appliances. More than $10,000 in cash and other prizes were awarded.

Designs were judged by representatives from FirstBuild and the Mega Hackathon’s more than 15 sponsors, including Renesas Electronics, 3M Adhesives, US Steel and Samtec.

With access to advanced manufacturing tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, wood engraving machines, water jets, CNC mills, Bridgeport mills, welding, hand power tools and soldering stations, the teams worked to conceive and create smart appliances they would want in their own homes to make their lives easier.

FirstBuild is an online community of engineers, designers, makers and home enthusiasts dedicated to conceiving, co-creating and building the next generation of major home appliances. Participants identify market needs, directly participate in the product development and watch via social media as ideas speed from mind to market.

Team DIVI made an ice and beverage sink faucet, which they called the most advanced kitchen faucet in the world. Left to Right (FirstBuild Director Larry Portaro, Team Members: Beau Muniz, Benton Humphreys, Gregory Chernov, Andrew Krause, Bryce Hann, Paul Haney)

The top teams were:

• 1^st place, DIVI: DIVI is the most advanced kitchen faucet in the world. DIVI offers a universal ice & beverage experience at the convenience of your kitchen sink, with the potential to dispense ice, water, carbonated beverages and more.
• 2^nd place, Fridge VZN: Fridge VZN is a technology that makes shopping easier for consumers. Using an image recognition API and a camera, Fridge VZN gives the user an up-to-date list of fridge content.
• 3^rd place, The Lazier Susan: An Amazon Alexa-integrated smart spice rack, Susan enables users to verbally request a spice and have it delivered on command.

“For the third year in a row, we’ve opened our doors to the outside community to showcase FirstBuild’s model of manufacturing to bring out the best and brightest ideas for the next smart appliance.” said Larry Portaro, director of FirstBuild. “The prototypes generated from each team truly illustrate the idea behind our collaborative community and how ideas can come from anywhere and anyone.”

About FirstBuild
FirstBuild is a global co-creation community backed by GE Appliances, a Haier company that harnesses the brainpower of the maker movement to change the way major home appliances are conceived, designed and manufactured. A physical state-of-the-art microfactory on the University of Louisville campus and online forum, FirstBuild speeds products from mind to market and enables customization through small batch production, without the costs and risks of traditional mass manufacturing. For more information about how to get involved, visit FirstBuild.com.

FirstBuild

Meet the Appliances Dream Team!

Our People