News Gorenje Announces
News Gorenje Announces Innovations and a Strategic Alliance The Slovenian manufacturer of larger home appliances, one of the eight largest white goods makers in Europe, is announcing a host of innovations and an important partnership with Panasonic, at IFA 2013. Franjo Bobinac, President and CEO of Gorenje, explains the company’s key messages at this year’s show... This year at IFA, Gorenje is showcasing an array of products in varied styles and different price segments, allowing consumers to express their unique lifestyles. For the first time at IFA we are presenting our R&D and design innovations under two brands from the Gorenje Group family: Gorenje and Asko. Tell us about your strategic alliance with Panasonic? We are truly pleased to have been able to forge a partnership with this international corporation that enjoys a renowned reputation globally. Panasonic is looking to grow its presence in the white goods segment in Europe, and we are a European company with in-depth knowledge of consumers in the region. This is an example of two corporations looking to exploit synergies in the fields of R&D, manufacturing and sales to the benefit of both – as well as to the benefit of the customer. Your IQcook induction hob recently won a major Plus X award. Please tell us more. It is the first hob in the world to employ IQ sensor technology for automatic cooking. The technology developed by our R&D team allows simple cooking with five useradjusted cooking presets, while the patented SmartSense feature stops liquids from boiling over and food from burning. How important is IFA to your global marketing plan? Due to its international character and importance in the white goods industry, IFA is a great platform for launching u n i q u e innovations. This year, the spotlight at the Gorenje booth is on two new product collections, Gorenje Simplicity and Gorenje Classico. Hall 1.1 Stand 201 Franjo Bobinac President and CEO of Gorenje "It's useful to come here" IFA International talks to the specialist technology journalists who report on IFA Berlin Press Corner Theo Wubbolts Editor-in-chief of HTV and Smart Home As editor-in-chief of hi-fi magazine HVT and B2B publication Smart Homes, Theo Wubbolts is acutely aware of developments in AV technology and the connected home. He is attending IFA to help gauge such developments and meet with industry contacts. “One of the reasons I come here is for networking,” he said. “I see a lot of representatives of manufacturers and factories with whom I’ve been working for decades. So I am gathering all the information I am getting from fairs such as IFA, for the audience that I am writing for.” The readers of HVT magazine have a specific interest in loudspeakers and amplifiers, he says. “We give recommendations to those readers so that they have an insight into what they have to buy. With Smart Homes, I am bringing in the AV area corner into this domain because, at present, it is mainly focused on healthcare solutions.” Wubbolts emphasises that IFA is well organised. “It is also stimulating, because it gives me information for publishing my magazines. So it’s useful to come here. One of the most interesting parts of IFA for me is Techwatch. I’m staying for quite some time to look at what directions the industry is going. Hopefully, they will look towards building up a house and making it connected, so that everyone can see what it means. The connected home is still perceived as radical because it’s unknown. If you mention it to some people, they think you’ve come from Mars. But we can save a lot of energy and it will help save the environment. In my opinion, it really is the future.” 20
IFA 2013 International Keynotes THE WORLD’S DECISION MAKERS OF THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, HOME APPLIANCES AND RELATED BRANCHES ARE INVITED TO SHARE THEIR VISIONS WITH EXHIBITORS, TRADE VISITORS, VIPS AND JOURNALISTS OF IFA. Turan Erdogan Chief Executive Officer, Vestel Group Colin Angle Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, iRobot “Head Monster” Noel Lee Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Monster, Inc. “WILL TV DIE? FUTURE OF CONSUMER ELECTRONICS” 7 th September - 10:30 a.m. In his keynote address, Vestel CEO, Turan Erdogan will explore the future of consumer electronics. Ten years from now, the TV will still be one of the largest pieces of furniture in the living room, and it will still have a central place in family life. However the TV business overall may be unrecognizable certainly when compared to the operating models and industry makeup that prevail today. "HOW ROBOTS ARE CHANGING THE CONSUMER SPACE AND PEOPLES’ LIVES" 7 th September - 3:00 p.m. Colin Angle co-founded iRobot in 1991 with the goal of making practical robots a reality for people around the world. For more than two decades, iRobot has been leading the charge and developing the latest in robotic technologies. Mr Angle will talk about how by creating value – dependable robots that perform their tasks will become within reach of the everyday consumer. Robots are now in the mainstream. Robots are performing more jobs indoors and extending their reach to outdoor jobs as well. “THE HEADPHONE REVOLUTION: HOW DID IT HAPPEN? FROM MONSTER, THE COMPANY THAT MADE IT HAPPEN” 8 th September - 3:00 p.m. In his keynote, Noel Lee will give the inside track on how headphones became a big consumer business. The Head Monster will give insights about the key values needed to find new trends, to develop audio innovations for retailers, customers and consumers and to drive business successfully for more than 30 years. He will analyse the development in the headphone market of the last years and question if this is a fad or an ongoing trend. In these considerations, he will also discuss the most recent developments in the consumer electronics market. ACCESS Exhibitors, Trade Visitors, Press and VIPs LOCATION International Keynote Area, Hall 6.3 ENTRY 15 min. prior to start / VIPs and Press: 30 min. prior to start For trade visitors admission to the exhibition grounds for the morning keynotes is through the South Entrance. SHUTTLE SERVICE A shuttle bus service guarantees comfortable transfer from South Entrance / International Trade Visitor Reception Area (foyer between Hall 1.1 and 2.1) to the International Keynote Area. www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Saturday 7 th & Sunday 8 th September 2013 21
