Home Laundry Appliances in the US

PROSPECTS

Connectivity makes its way into laundry appliances

The connected washer and dryer began appearing a few years before the end of the review period, but new models in 2018 were the first to fully take advantage of the technology in a way that is more than just a novelty feature on higher-end units. Specifically, for laundry appliances, connectivity is quickly evolving to add useful functionality that saves time or increases the effectiveness of the cleaning process.

Technology geared to the busy lifestyle

As consumers continue to lead busier, more-active lives, manufacturers of home laundry appliances seek to appeal to them by offering new solutions to clean their clothes, not only better, but faster, allowing more free time for other pursuits. A host of technological time-savers has been introduced to new lines of washers and dryers to take advantage of this trend.

Developments from Samsung

Samsung has introduced its Flexwash line, which offers a secondary, smaller top washer over the large main drum, allowing users to wash two separate loads at the same time, ideal for those with varying laundry needs. Additionally, more and more units are incorporating auto-dosing technology, adding detergent, bleach or fabric softeners to the wash cycle at precise times and in correct amounts for the clothing type, thus removing another step for the user.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Multiple tariffs send prices soaring

Beginning in 2018, the first set of tariffs proposed by the US government went into effect on washing machines produced outside the country. These tariffs, which were meant to boost domestic appliance producers, were specifically aimed at Samsung and LG, both companies that had been gaining traction within home laundry appliances, largely due to the quality, and subsequent high consumer satisfaction, of their products.

Whirlpool Corp stung by metal tariffs, while others have a rough first half of the year

Whirlpool Corp, the US leader within home laundry appliances, initially thought that it had received a boon from the government in the form of the tariffs targeting foreign-made washers. Then the penny dropped when the White House announced a second levy on steel and aluminium imports of 25% and 10% respectively.

Shift in production offers only scant protection

As a result of the initial tariffs on washing machine imports, some companies, such as LG and Samsung, took action to increase their production in the US in an effort to avoid additional costs. Both companies have plans for factories in Tennessee, which they accelerated as a result of the tariffs; however, the impact of the metal tariffs has blunted any edge domestic production would give the companies.

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