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Hi,
I hear that JennAir Is changing direction very soon and is launching a new look and feel to compete in the Ultra class. Does anybody have any information on this? any links to news or pics?
With Whirlpool almost done transitioning Maytag looks like Jenny is next!
It is true, JennAir is changing, and the new launch should be September of 2009. I don’t have pictures, but I did see the product. It will put them on an equal playing field with Monogram, Dacor, Thermador ect. All new pro ranges with all the features – full electronic oven controls, high output burners, stainless steel knobs, excellent fit and finish. New Wall ovens have the most advanced controls on the market, no exceptions. 7" Color Touch Screen similiar to I phone technology. New Built in refrigerators can be fully integrated – 36" bottom mount, 42" & 48" sidexsides – similiar to the Thermador Freedom collection but based 100% on the existing KitchenAid built ins. Great stuff, will put JennAir back in the game.
Jennair is very impressive this year and worth a new look. Images from KBIS will be online here shortly in a new Gallery section. Waiting for the webmaster to finish the web coding. Jennair says that they are targeting a position above Monogram and directly against the domestic luxury brands.
Looking forward to the pics… If Jennair builds the fridges with hinges and doors like the Freedom and Ovens like the Kitchenaid, with a few new tweeks, i would expect that they will relaunch with great success. Looks like Whirlpool has a winner coming in the New Jennair! just hope the prices are just as good.
Glad to see someone from the past set the tone for good products again.They were (Bill Jenn) and others bashed by the 90’s crowd. Go get ’em Jenn Air.… why would Whirlpool think that they needs to establish another brand within their bevy of brands to compete with Monogram and alike … when they already have such a wonderful product line as Kitchen-Aid … especially the Architect Series ???
They tried the bronze looking line two (2) years ago and didn’t do much to bring it to market … this new line, from what I’ve seen is simply a bit more refined … and might only appeal to a niche client base of folks wanting to match/coordinate/accessorize to their cabinetry … which, I feel is about to change in a year or two …
Just one man’s thought …
It does seem a little overkill but their reasoning makes sense. Currently JennAir and KitchenAid compete directly with each other – it doesn’t make any sense to keep it that way. With the success of KitchenAid the way it is it would make sense to change JennAir instead of messing with the success of KitchenAid. They did consider selling the brand, but since it is all built alongside their other product it would be a sale of a name only. The pricing I have seen puts it real close to Monogram and Thermador, or about 10% less than Viking. The bottom line is they couldn’t keep both brands as they were – it would kind of be like GM buying Lincoln and trying to market it alongside of Cadilac. I personally think they chose the wiser of the two options.
At one time they were a "go to" product. I guess they want the magic…one more time. I believe they have the design wherewithall to get it done. That and the financial stability to properly market those products.I do not believe any one can shove products down anyone’s throat any longer.Personally I can’t wait to see the products.KitchenAid is unlimited distribution, while Jennair will be pulled out of all Big Boxes and sold to independent dealers only. I love this idea. Jennair sales will drop surely, but it will scratch an itch that Whirlpool has never attempted to scratch before, with one of the best known brands in the industry.
Gross margins improve ,net profit improves. Product gains respect in high end. Long term great strategy. Sales may indeed fall but ROI improves. Did we just go back to 1955 in a time machine ?I have seen pictures of the new Jennair prototype line and .. it’s very generic. Handles are architect looking instead of Euro and the new proseries looks like a generic semi-pro line ( very square lines, bertazzoni style ) .Personally I think they should keep the Euro line since it’s pretty much the only brand with handles that are not a copy of the Kitchenaid……
Evy
No doubt that the curved look has been in vogue for many years. Going to the square look is not a cost savings for manufacturing. I wonder why the change ? Customer tastes changing ? The overall generic look may indeed be to save costs overall , less features ? ,less complicated ? All for less service issues. Easier to clean ? Maybe some way for them to see if they can spark a breakthrough on simplicity. Interested to see the marketing presentation they may have.It has been a good line and in the past the pro series ranges were produced by DCS. Less of that influence ? Curious to see the overall program.Well personally as a very large retailer and builder distributor in the North East I am looking forward to a compamy who has the vision to protect the indepent dealer network. Currently we have a very good relationship with Whirlpool and from what I understand the Jenn Air label will be removed from the LUMBER YARD STORES, ELECTRONIC STORES, and SEARS as well as a large number of the indepents. There will be an evaulation of the dealers to determine if the fit the profile to be a Jenn Air dealer. This is a great idea remove the people who dont know how to make money and sell product and ensure that the people who now how to run a business and make a profit can do so. The product is great and will fit in directly with the Viking, Sub Zero, Wolf, Miele, Dacor and other brands. They have the product the only question I have is will the stick to their guns and keep the indepent dealers with PROFESSIONAL sales people as their focus or just to get it off the ground then cave to the big boxes.
If you are betting your future on Whirlpool protecting the Independent dealer good luck! This is a great strategy to talk about in meetings with Independent dealers and buying group leadership but when the rubber meets the road no one delivers on the promise of additional business. This strategy was tried many times with other brands RCA, Roper, Amana, Magic Chef, etc ,etc. In the end the volume falls to a level that is meaningless and is either sold to a "BIG BOX" or the brand dies a slow death like the ones already listed.
If I remember correctly Jenn-Air tried this strategy years ago "Jenn-Air Preferred" great concept on paper cannot be executed becasue the independent dealers wont commit to a line and run with it no matter how exclusive. Low sales volume is a mfg nightmare, cost will rise because of low volume which slows sales more and then you bring out the knife to kill the brand.
If by generic you mean "Professional" then that is just what a "professional" brand needs to compete in this category. I agree that design isn’t for everyone but neither is a Mercedes, Bentley or Rolls Royce. If you want the Euro style it is still there in every category except the pro range with JennAir. Man, as much as I keep defending Whirlpool stuff people will soon think I work for the place.
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