A new era

Smeg’s Andrew Cronin speaks with us about the company’s new direction and exciting plans for the year ahead

Founded in 1948, Smeg has long been synonymous with quality, innovation, functionality, superior performance and unsurpassed style. Unsurprisingly, these qualities have seen Smeg become a leader in the domestic kitchen appliance market worldwide, its cutting-edge appliances widely popular with homeowners and kitchen designers alike.

Last year marked a milestone for Smeg as, after operating in Australia for more than two decades as part of Hagemeyer’s stable of premium brands, the business was sold back to Smeg Italy, a move that allowed the brand to re-establish itself as a wholly owned subsidiary in the Australian marketplace. Andrew Cronin, former general manager of Hagemeyer’s Omega Appliances division of which Smeg was previously a part, is at the helm of the newly independent Australian outfit. Andrew is committed to taking the prestige brand to even greater heights and strengthening its relationship with the local design community, in part through its relationship with KBDi.

As one of the first companies to form a partnership with the organisation, Smeg has been involved with KBDi from its inception and is one of its Diamond Sponsors. According to Andrew, from Smeg’s perspective, forging a relationship with Australia’s only industry body dedicated to kitchen and bathroom designers was a positive move for a number of reasons.

As Andrew explains, “The decision to become involved with KBDI was a simple one — the company welcomed the opportunity of becoming part of a well-organised forum aimed at increasing and improving communication to the designer community.

“We feel that Diamond Sponsorship with KBDI enables us to disseminate up-to-date information quickly and comprehensively to the design community,” he adds. “Designers are the key influencers in creating and customising kitchen solutions for the consumer. It is essential we talk to them.”

Another of Smeg’s initiatives is “Designers who Lunch”. Commencing in  2011 the event series is just one of the initiatives the company has introduced to engage with the kitchen design community.

“We see this as an opportunity to both inform and educate designers in terms of trends, new products and new technology, so they are better equipped to provide their clients with a total kitchen solution,” Andrew says.

Kicking off in Sydney and Brisbane earlier this month, Adelaide and Perth will play host to the event on Tuesday, April 19, and Wednesday, April 20, respectively. The next round of the “Designers Who Lunch” series will commence in July, with the final series of the year to be held in Brisbane in late September and wrap up in mid-November in Melbourne.

What else can we expect from Smeg in the next 12 months?

Launching new innovative products is on the cards for the second half of 2011, reveals Andrew, with a new generation of dishwashers that “will raise the benchmark in terms of energy and water conservation plus performance” just one of the ranges to watch out for.

The company also remains committed to strengthening its partnership with KBDi and kitchen and bathroom designers around Australia. “Smeg, in unison with KBDI, will continue to explore ways to communicate with and educate the design community so it may continue to present the best kitchen solutions to its clients,” he explains.

Interested in attending Smeg’s “Designers Who Lunch” events in your state? Click here to find out more. For your complimentary reservation, please contact Simon Hodgson of KBDi on 0419 483 700 or at s.hodgson@kbdi.org.au. Numbers are limited, so book now to reserve your place.


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