Bosch, Viking focus on Design recognized with multiple Awards
by Andrew Hermann | January 20th, 2010
Any time an appliance manufacture does a significant design and product makeover as Bosch and Viking did in 2009, manufactures and distributors alike hold their breathe to see the reaction from the consumer. If the response of the design community is any indication, everyone can breathe easy as Bosch was the big winner at the annual GOOD DESIGN™ Award, taking home 11 honors, while Viking walked away with a respectable 3.
Founded in 1950 by architects Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, and Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., the GOOD DESIGN AWARDS is conferred annually by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Every year it has bestowed international recognition upon the world’s most prominent designers and manufacturers for advancing new, visionary, and innovative product concepts, invention and originality, and for stretching the envelope beyond what is considered ordinary product and consumer design.
In the appliance category 44 awards were presented with Bosch taking home 11 (25%). Bosch received an award in each product category (Refrigeration, Cooking, Kitchen Clean up, and Laundry) with the exception of ventilation. In particular the the 800 Series Linea Refrigerator; 300, 500 & 800 Series Vision Laundry; Autochef electric cooktops; and Ascenta Dishwashers were recognized by the judges.
Viking on the other hand received honors for its new custom dual fuel range; electric control dual fuel range and its newly re-branded designer series line.
You can find a complete list of winners in all categories by clicking on the link below:
http://www.chi-athenaeum.org/gdesign/2009/011210winnerslist.pdf
US Department of Energy Gives Consumer Rebates on Energy Star Appliances
by Andrew Hermann | January 14th, 2010
Starting in January 8, 2010, the Department of Energy initiated a “Cash for Appliances” program giving consumers rebates on purchases of new Energy Star Appliances. Unlike last summers popular “Cash for Clunkers” program were all aspects were uniformed throughout the country the appliance rebate will be different state by state.
Specifically for Puerto Rico the program begins in February with vouchers valid for 30 days. If funds remain, an additional round will begin the end of May until funds are depleted. Similarly the program also begins in February for the US Virgin Island, however, to date, will only last one month.
Products that are eligible for the rebate are: refrigerators, freezers, clothwashers and dishwashers.
All Built-in Refrigerators and Freezers by Liebherr, Bosch, and Gaggenau, and U-line are energy certified and will qualify for this program. The freestanding refrigerators by Viking are also energy star certified.
Addtionally all dishwashers and laundry products by bosch are energy star and qualify for this program well.
For more specific details about the program in your area check out the link: http://www.energysavers.gov/financial/70022.html
U-line Chooses LCi as Distributor for the Caribbean & Latin America
by Andrew Hermann | December 13th, 2009
LCi is pleased to annouce that it has been selected by U-line to serve as its distributor for the Caribbean and Latin America starting December 1, 2009. U-line is the premier manufacturer of premium built-in undercounter ice makers, Combo icemaker/refrigerators, Wine Captain wine preservation appliances, refrigerators, refrigerated drawers and refrigerator/freezers for the residential, hotel and marine use. The partnership with U-line, shows LCi’s continued commitment to bringing the highest quality kitchen appliances to the Caribbean and Latin America. U-line is gaining access to LCi’s ever growing distribution network which is now in over 30 countries and enables consumers to have in country after-sales warranty for U-line products.
From a consumer perspective, the addition of U-line to the LCi portfolio gives them more solutions to undercounter cooling products than ever before.
While the natural tendency is to use undercounter wine, refrigeration and icemachine products in home bars, outdoor living applications and family room/entertainment spaces, they are also great for bedroom and master suites well. Many types of medication and beauty products require that they be stored in a refrigerator, yet the master suites in most homes are not right next to the kitchen and many times are on an entirely different level of the house. U-line offers 15″w and 24″w undercounter refrigerator that are perfect solutions for storing beauty and health products in the bedroom or bathroom.
The opportunities for undercounter products in master bedrooms don’t end with refrigerators. Master Suites are being transformed from a place to sleep and get ready for work into a haven for people to relax. The addition of large jacuzzi tubs in the bathroom, and HD flat screen TVs for watching movies in bed mean a U-line beverage center and or wine cellar are a perfect way to enjoy ones personal oasis.
Worried about how these products will blend in? In additional to its product offering U-line also provides numerous of cutting edge design solutions making it easy for architects, and designers to incorporate it into any room of the home and maintain the design integrity.
For more information about U-line and where you can purchases it throughout the Caribbean and Latin America please call us 305-418-0010.
Remember “For every room, there is a U-line”
Welcome to the new LCi blog
by Andrew Hermann | December 1st, 2009
Business is picking up as people are realizing that with the current economic conditions, it makes more sense to invest in remodeling “the heart of the home” – the kitchen, rather than entertaining outside of the home.
Architects, designers, and contractors benefit from the fact, that here in the United States when it comes outfitting a kitchen with appliances, there are hundreds of resources available to ensure you are current with the latest products, specifications and trends that help facilitate finding the right solutions that meet your clients needs. In the Caribbean and Latin America however, where product availabilty is vast but the installation, warranty, and code regulations more complicated, resources to assist you are limited.
LCi Distributors, a full service distributor of high-end kitchen appliances to the Caribbean and Latin America, was founded to service consumers off-shore so that they also could receive the same type of experience in terms of customer service and warranty, as consumers in the Unites States. While this may sound easy and simple enough, providing warranty in 27 countries takes focus, determination and dedication; that of which LCi has become known for in the appliance industry.
LCi decided to start a blog, because through our experience in helping customers (whether in Nassau, Port of Spain, Guatemala City or Buenos Aires), solve some of their after sales issues, we found that many of them could have been avoided, if better information and resources had been available to them and their specificers prior to purchasing. Weather the issue be simple (like will a Gaggenau Oven that is 220v work on the island of Nevis that is 208v) or more complex (how do I adapt a built in Viking refrigerator to an environment where there is no air conditioning), there is no one resource or forum for information that specifically covers all those countries; hence the creation of the LCi blog.
The LCi Blog is a place that architects, designers, developers, purchasers and contractors can come for information about:
- The latest trends in appliances for Caribbean and Latin America
- Service tips to solve common issues
- Industry news
- Local market conditions that could affect performance of appliances
- Spot light on new and recently completed projects and their specifiers
Most importantly perhaps, the goal of the blog is to serve as a forum for open and un-basis discussion about issues that affect professionals that specify appliances in the Caribbean and Latin America. We encourage readers to comment on posts and add to the discussion.
Additionally if anyone (specifiers, consumers, contractors) have general appliance questions(no matter how simple or complex), weather we carry the brand or not, please email us, as we will get you the information or put you in touch with someone who can.
LCi Distributors…….Where Kitchens Come Alive
