Gorenje

Gorenje, d.d.

Type	Public
Industry	Home appliances
Founded	1950
Headquarters	Velenje, Slovenia
Key people	Franjo Bobinac, President and CEO of Management Board
Revenue	€ 1,33 mrd (2008)
Employees	11,400 (2008)
Website	www.gorenjegroup.com

Gorenje is the largest Slovenian manufacturer of white goods (larger home appliances). With a continent-wide market share of 4%, it is one of the eight largest manufacturers of home appliances in Europe.^[1] Appliances are sold under company's own brands Gorenje, Mora, Atag, Pelgrim, Etna, Körting and Sidex, and are produced in the main production facility in Velenje as well as at the cooking appliances plant Mora Moravia in Mariánské Údolí (Czech Republic) and at the fridge-freezer plant in Valjevo (Serbia).

Since the company’s beginnings in 1950, Gorenje has expanded into a multinational corporation and the Gorenje Group currently includes 83 companies, 59 of which are located outside Slovenia. In addition to household appliances, Gorenje manufactures ceramics, kitchen and bathroom furniture, and provides services in the fields of energy, ecology and trade. Its products for home, services and companies are present in over 70 countries, mostly in Europe.

Gorenje's vision is to become the most innovative, design-oriented maker of products for home. It cooperates with Swarovski, Pininfarina, Karim Rashid, and Ora-Ïto.

History

1950 - 1960

• Gorenje is established in a village Gorenje. Initially the company manufactures agricultural machinery.
• In 1958, Gorenje starts producing solid-fuel cookers.
• The company is relocated to the town of Velenje.

1961 - 1970

• The production of washing machines and refrigerators is launched.
• In 1961, Gorenje exports the first 200 cookers to Germany.

1971 - 1980

• The product range is expanded to kitchen units, ceramics, medical equipment, telecommunications devices, TV sets and other electrical goods.
• Gorenje continues its expansion and employs over 20,000 people.
• The company begins establishing a distribution and sales network in Western Europe (Germany, Austria, France, Denmark and Italy) and Australia.

1981 - 1990

• Gorenje narrows its focus on production of domestic appliances.
• UK and the USA are added to the export market network.

1991 - 1996

• Gorenje continues to expand its distribution and sales network in Eastern Europe.

1997

• Gorenje becomes a publicly traded joint stock company

2000

• The first appliances collection designed by the Italian design studio Pininfarina is launched.

2005

• Gorenje takes over the Czech manufacturer of kitchen ranges Mora Moravia.

2006

• A new refrigerator and freezer plant is opened in Valjevo (Serbia).
• A water heater and radiator plant is opened in Stara Pazova (Serbia).
• A second collection of household appliances Gorenje Pininfarina, designed by the Italian designer studio Pininfarina, is launched.
• The fridge freezer made with CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements is launched.
• Cooperation with the French star designer Ora-Ïto is announced.

2007

• The Gorenje Ora-Ïto Collection is launched in Istanbul.
• The first Gorenje Pink Oldtimer is sold at the charity auction for raising money in a campaign cancer.

2008

• Gorenje continues its cooperation with Pininfarina and launches the Gorenje Pininfarina Black collection.
• Top-level Dutch provider of white goods ATAG is acquired.
• Gorenje takes part at the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin fair in Berlin, unveiling its innovative fridge-freezer Gorenje "Made for iPod."
• The Gorenje Ora-Ïto White collection of appliances is launched.

2009

• Gorenje participates at the Milan Design Week presenting Mini hot plate Mrs. Dalloway, Gorenje designed by Nika Zupanc.

2010

• Gorenje takes over Swedish appliance manufacturer Asko.

Awards

Gorenje has won numerous awards for design, ease-of-use and environmental sensitivity. Recently, these have included the Red Dot Design Award 2005, Plus X Design Award 2006 and ICSID Design Award 2006.

Sponsorship

Gorenje is the general sponsor of Slovenian Nordic Ski Teams, the Gorenje Handball Club, the French football championship Coupe de la Ligue, and the institution Sport & Media.

References

1. ^ "Gorenje - Intelligent Appliances". Slovenia.si. Republic of Slovenia. http://www.slovenia.si/economy/made_in_slovenija/2007100910591353/. Retrieved 12 August 2009. 

External links

• Gorenje homepage