Strong cost focus

  • Modularization, automation and strategic sourcing are key to drive profitable growth through cost competitive products with best-in-class product design and quality. The SEK 8bn re-engineering investment initiative is ongoing to deliver on this (see section “Modularization and automation”).
  • In addition, continuous cost improvements are an important part of our strategy – achieved by improving cost structures and developing methods, processes and skills.
  • The track record is strong with an annual average reduction of -3% in variable product cost 2016-2021.
  • A Group-wide cost reduction and North America turnaround program was initiated in September 2022, to address impact of supply chain disruptions and adapt to weaker demand. Total cost reduction from the program is estimated to be in excess of SEK 7bn.
  • Electrolux manages working capital to release resources that can be invested in growth activities.

Focus areas to increase efficiency and drive profitable growth

The illustration shows which areas that will primarily drive cost efficiency but also contribute to profitable growth.

Competitive cost structure

  • High share of variable costs – about 70% of the Group’s total cost base.
    • Enables higher flexibility and faster adaption to external factors such as fluctuations in market demand or commodity prices.
  • Several cross-functional cost-excellence programs have been implemented to reduce variable product costs, e.g. the Electrolux Manufacturing System, modularization, digital manufacturing and an integrated digital supply chain.
  • Continuous improvement activities aim to reduce structural costs through improved ways of working, greater resource efficiency and the increased use of digital tools and processes.
  • Reduced energy, waste and water use supports a more competitive cost structure.

High degree of variable costs

SEKbn 2022
Net sales 135
Direct material -58
Sourced products -15
Other variable costs -25
Operational structural cost -26
Innovation and marketing structural cost -10
EBIT excl. non-recurring items 0.8
Variable cost ~70%
Structural cost ~30%

Variable costs:
Direct material incl. raw material and components. Sourced products incl. small appliances, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, microwaves, etc.
Other variable costs incl. direct labor and other variable
production costs as well as costs for warranty and logistics.

Structural costs:
Operational structural costs incl. all fixed factory and warehousing costs, depreciation and administration. Innovation & marketing structural costs.

SEK 8bn re-engineering initiative

  • SEK 8bn committed to investments in modularization and automation in the Americas and Europe.
    • The Curitiba factory is fully ramped up and four factories are currently in a ramp-up or stabilization phase.
  • The re-engineering investments are vital to drive profitable growth through strengthened cost competitiveness and improved mix.
    • Key benefits include increased operational efficiency and flexibility, strengthened production cost competitiveness, increased innovation speed to market as well as a sharpened product offering through design and quality.
    • Modularization will continue to be key once the SEK 8bn re-engineering initiative is complete.
  • Earnings benefit from the re-engineering initiative will mainly be realized in North America related to the investments in Anderson and Springfield.
    • Cost savings are mainly driven by direct material savings and improved labor productivity.
    • Mix improvements are driven by increased share of new premium products produced compared to before the investments.
  • The cost savings from the re-engineering initiative are included in the total cost savings from the Group-wide cost reduction and North America turnaround program. Total cost reduction from the program is estimated to be in excess of SEK 7bn.
  • The re-engineering initiative will also realize significant sustainability benefits such as improved energy efficiency and safer working environment.
  • Read about our food-waste saving and energy efficient fridges and freezers, highlighting the company’s food preservation and recyclability innovations at www.electroluxgroup.com/energy-efficient-refrigeration.

Executing on our global re-engineering investments

Automation and modularization strengthens competitiveness

Several benefits of modularized product architecture


In the Springfield factory, US, the product architecture for built-in and freestanding gas and electric cooking appliances is the same.

Modularization and automation are key to drive profitable growth

  • Cost competitive, high-quality products are vital to drive profitable growth.
  • The SEK 8bn re-engineering investment initiative significantly increases the use of global modularized products for refrigerators/freezers and cooking products.
  • Benefits from modularized products in automated production include:
    • Sharpened offering with more relevant features at lower costs.
    • Increased speed of innovation by leveraging and accelerating global technologies.
    • Improved product design – using modularized bases makes it easier and more efficient to apply updated designs.
    • Best-in-class product design and quality.
  • Read about how the many benefits of the modular approach make us strengthen our market position in the attractive multi-door refrigerator category at www.electroluxgroup.com/the-many-benefits-modular-multi-door-fridges/

Significantly leverage our global scale and technology deployment through global modularized products​


Note: graphs show % of volume using global modules over total In-house production volume. Global modularized products are used in more than one product and in more than one region. The SEK 8bn re-engineering initiative was launched in 2018.

*Front-load laundry.

Leveraging global scale in strategic sourcing

  • Strategic sourcing is the single most important initiative to reduce product costs.
  • In 2022, Electrolux purchased raw materials and components for SEK ~54bn, of which SEK ~26bn referred to raw materials.
  • The global purchasing function coordinates and administers the vast majority of all direct material purchasing.
  • By increasingly introducing modularized products, the Group’s global scale can be leveraged in terms of procurement and R&D.
    • Enables both fixed and variable cost reductions.
    • Increases flexibility by allowing the customization of products using a limited number of standardized modules.
    • Increases economies of scale in the sourcing of components.
  • The Electrolux Responsible Sourcing program supports a global effort to make the right decisions on suppliers and promote the sustainability performance of the supply base.
  • A global credit insurance program is in place for many countries to reduce credit risk. Electrolux offers its suppliers the opportunity to utilize supplier finance.

Raw material exposure 2022

Sensitivity analysis, year-end 2022

Raw materials Change +/- Pre-tax
earnings impact -/+,
SEKm
Stainless steel 10% 400
Carbon steel 10% 900
Plastics 10% 600

Changes in raw materials refer to Electrolux prices and contracts, which may differ from market prices. The figures in the sensitivity table are rounded.

Combining global benefits with deep local understanding

  • Being global with a local presence and knowledge of each regional market means better adapting to changing consumer demands and sustainability related requirements.
  • Three well-established brands – AEG, Electrolux and Frigidaire – serve different regions and market segments.
  • While local understanding is a strength, the benefits of being global are equally important. In 2022, Electrolux deployed a new Commercial & Consumer Journey organization to leverage the global scale to improve the purchasing experience, how we onboard and connect to new consumers, and how we support people in using their product in the best and most sustainable way.

The Frigidaire consumer represents middle American core families with family life and friends in focus

Improving stability and mitigating against financial fluctuations

  • Global presence makes Electrolux less sensitive to macroeconomics in specific market regions. This helps to smooth out seasonality and fluctuations in economic cycles – to mitigate against financial performance fluctuations.
  • The Group’s global presence, with manufacturing and sales in a number of countries, offsets exchange rate effects to a certain degree.
    • The principal exchange rate effect arises from transaction flows – when purchasing and/or production is carried out in one currency and sales occur in another currency.
    • The major currencies for the Electrolux Group are the USD, EUR, CAD, GBP, CHF, BRL and AUD.
    • Read more about Electrolux currency exposure www.electroluxgroup.com/en/currency-exposure

Sales by region, 2022

Digitally integrated supply chain and manufacturing

  • Digitalization helps drive improved productivity and flexibility in Electrolux operations through:
    • Improved visibility and planning.
    • Installing a digitally managed environment within factories that monitors operational information in real-time.
  • Speed and accuracy are what customers’ and consumers’ expect, and are even more important as online sales grow.
  • Electrolux is transforming from a traditional manufacturing efficiency & push approach to demand & service driven supply chain model.
    • Control tower concept allows us to get an end-to-end view of the supply chain.
    • Data driven decision making based on transparent processes and globally aligned data.
    • Agile ways of working support the digital transformation of our operations.
    • Nurturing a digital innovation culture.

Digitalization optimizes supply chain including managing inventory levels