Highlights:
- High-value category in rapidly growing market
- 30% less time and cost for development
- Additional value through aftermarket sales
Electrolux popular multi-door refrigerator range demonstrates the many benefits of the modular approach, for both Electrolux and its consumers. Through deep consumer insight, Electrolux has strengthened its offering in the attractive multi-door category.
A rapidly growing market
The global market for multi-door refrigerators has grown by approximately 3.5% on average for the last 5 years, according to Euromonitor data1, which is significantly higher than for refrigerators in general. Electrolux has in the past few years strengthened its offering in this high-value category which, in one of its core markets, Brazil, has contributed to significant market share gains2.
The main drivers for the rising demand are the consumer benefits that the multi-door configurations provide. Enhanced storage capacity and content oversight are key, as are the flexible temperature settings for individual compartments. The sustainability benefits provided by superior food preservation technologies for consumers also contribute to the appeal.
The design of Electrolux latest multi-door ranges, was shaped by Electrolux deep knowledge of its consumers, gained through home visits, user experience labs, surveys and focus groups. Electrolux multi-door users can enjoy a clear reduction in food waste for their fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish thanks to cutting-edge modules such as sealed crispers, auto-humidity control membranes and antioxidant filters, providing flexible, healthy and sustainable living solutions. With a Group-level innovation process and modularization, consumers’ rapidly evolving expectation can be met faster and more efficiently across regions.
Increased speed of innovation at lower cost
Significant time and cost savings have been achieved in product development thanks to the use of modular product architectures. In the latest ranges of multi-doors, development time and costs were cut by around 30% compared to the previous platforms.
Modules initially built for the first multi-door platform at the Rayong production plant in Thailand are now included in similar platforms built also at other Electrolux plants, and adjusted for fridge freezers intended for other regions, due to the cross-compatibility of the modules.
This allows for the creation of modern and premium fridge freezers specifically adapted to suit their target markets, while the increased synergy and standardization between sites reduces the time spent on development. As suppliers and components become concentrated, additional savings can be leveraged at scale, bringing improved operational efficiencies.
Creating additional value for consumers in the aftermarket
Significant time and cost savings have been achieved in product development thanks to the use of modular product architectures. In the latest ranges of multi-doors, development time and costs were cut by around 30% compared to the previous platforms.
Modules initially built for the first multi-door platform at the Rayong production plant in Thailand are now included in similar platforms built also at other Electrolux plants, and adjusted for fridge freezers intended for other regions, due to the cross-compatibility of the modules.
This allows for the creation of modern and premium fridge freezers specifically adapted to suit their target markets, while the increased synergy and standardization between sites reduces the time spent on development. As suppliers and components become concentrated, additional savings can be leveraged at scale, bringing improved operational efficiencies.
Creating additional value for consumers in the aftermarket
Consumers can also benefit from a further enhanced consumer experience thanks to consumables and accessories such as vacuum sealed containers for further prolonged food freshness and reduced food waste, water purification filters for water dispensers and ice makers integrated in the fridge, and air filters for odor removal. An app is also available to connect the model to the consumers’ Wi-Fi and inform them how to get the most value from their refrigerators and notify them of when to order filters replacements.
- Euromonitor global market estimate, volumes, excluding China; major appliances by format.
- Electrolux estimate.