BATHROOM & KITCHEN TODAY04 Nov 2013
Fisher & Paykel cements global centre for R&D as it rolls out biggest range of products in eight decades
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A successful growth plan and consistent investment into Fisher & Paykel’s R&D centres in New Zealand over the past four years has paid off as the company embarks on the global release of the largest number of new products at any one time in its history. The bulk of the new products are in kitchen appliances, with innovations also featured in refrigeration and laundry lines. All new products are expected to be available to consumers in all key markets in early 2014.

“World-leading innovation and quality has been what our development teams have been focusing on over the past five years, and this range is the result. We have developed what we believe is a game-changer in cooking appliances such as a 60 cm oven that has up to 30 per cent more capacity inside than competitor models of this size,” said Daniel Witten-Hannah, Fisher & Paykel’s Executive Vice President of Product Development and Marketing.

“Our designers pulled the 60 cm standard oven apart and reconstructed it so this model has 77 litres of usable capacity inside, making it one of the largest 60 cm ovens available globally.”

The unique active venting technology in the nine and 11 function oven models essentially allows customers to cook like a chef and perfect dishes at the same time, in the same space.

“The best thing is, this oven is no bigger externally than other models on the market, so no kitchen modifications are required to be able to cook more food, with better results,” Witten-Hannah said.

The new built-in oven, along with Fisher & Paykel’s innovative gas on glass cooktop, has already received the prestigious Red Dot Design award before it hits shops. Of the new 70 products, 50 per cent are completely new to their product lines, with some that feature quality upgrades to existing models.

”Refrigeration gets enhancements across the range, with new technology on the interface and innovations internally, improving capacity and functionality for consumers.”