The Inside Track July 2014 by The Inside Track

Volume 8. Issue 07. July 2014 Rs. 25/-

THE

INSIDE TRACK CONNECTING THE DESIGN COMMUNITY Now view our web edition at www.theinsidetrack.in

Kitchen Spl.

itchens have now taken on the ‘status indicator’ connotation that living room furniture had previously enjoyed. Being able to cook hasslefree and making best use of one’s time; delegating tasks to appliances that were traditionally done by hand and took much more time and effort, is the final aim of the latest technology. This guarantees that there can be fun in the kitchen too! What these new design scenarios have in common is a commitment to excellence, an eye to emerging lifestyles and an ecofriendly approach, featuring user friendly technological solutions for immediate use, marked out as always by their elegant and sophisticated design. The 20th edition of EuroCucina, the International Kitchen Exhibition, was back at the Rho Milan Fairgrounds from the 8 th to the 13 th of April, along with the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, t h e In t e r n a t i o n a l Ba t h r o o m Exhibition and Salone Satellite. Rounding it all off was FTK (Technology For the Kitchen), the collateral event devoted to built-in domestic appliances and cooker hoods.

The Future Of Kitchens

FTK at iSaloni 2014 provided an overview of the latest products that can grace our homes, making life in the kitchen more efficient, sophisticated and comfortable. BY ULKA VARTAK

FTK featured some of the top manufacturers in the field, exemplifying domestic technological excellence through innovative products of tomorrow

A Diverse Assortment Extending over 9,800 square metres in Pavilions 9-11, FTK (Technology For the Kitchen) featured some of the top manufacturers in the field, exemplifying domestic technological excellence through innovative products and cutting-edge proposals,

prototypes, concepts and research, providing a glimpse of the trends and products of tomorrow. FTK (Technology For the Kitchen) was devised by some of the foremost sectoral manufacturers as a showcase for research into domestic appliances of the future, complete

with prototypes. It has steadily become a benchmark event, due to the presence of many companies and groups at the forefront of the sector shows. The manufacturers showcased exclusive product collections ranging from fridges and freezers to cooking appliances and ventilation hoods – all primarily geared to improving the kitchen experience in spaces increasingly required to be more healthy, efficient and comfortable, and capable of generating memorable occasions and great emotions. 35 of the sector’s top manufacturers took part, including Best, the BSH Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group (Bosch, Siemens, Gaggenau, Neff), Candy Hoover Group (Candy, Hoover), Electrolux Appliances, Elica (Gutmann), Faber, Falmec, Franke, Indesit Company (Indesit, Hotpointcontinued on page 2

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

THE

INSIDE TRACK

CONTENTS Bosch’s built-in oven

Ariston, Hotpoint, Scholtès), Irinox, Liebherr Hausgeräte, Miele, Nardi Elettrodomestici, Smeg and Whirlpool Europe (Whirlpool, Bauknecht, Kitchen Aid), etc. Let’s take a look at what they have to offer. Bosch Bosch’s built-in ovens are both stylish and functional, thanks to their many modes and cooking programmes: 3D MultiFunction evenly heats all three cooking levels, cooking three different dishes or three sets of food simultaneously with no crosscontamination of taste or smell. The Pyrolytic and Ecolyse systems

JULY 2014

COVER The Future Of Kitchens 1 STORY Bosch’s Zeolite dishwasher

are the ultimate in self-cleaning and convenience: during the pyrolytic cleaning process, the oven heats up to almost 500°C, and any cooking residues are reduced to a thin layer of ash, without the use of chemicals. Ecolyse ovens are the new generation of the old catalytic cavities, absorbing grease and fat and turning them into steam and carbon dioxide during the cooking process. By setting the oven to its hottest temperature for one hour, air and heat work together to dissolve the residue and leave the oven as new. Bosch also showcased its new continued on page 4

The Latest On Recent Launches And Products 6 Appliances That Make Life Easy 12 Operate With Ease 14 For That Perfect Wash 16 Vero - Pure Elegance, Fair And Square 18 Miele: Forever Better 20 Jaquar Gets Busy In Singapore 22 Raw Ingenuity 24

Owner, Publisher & Printer Mr. Anish R. Bajaj for Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. Printed at Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd., B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033. Published at B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Mumbai 400 033 Tel (022) 23736133/1 Editor Mr. Anish R. Bajaj THE INSIDE TRACK Volume 8. Issue 07. July 2014. English - Monthly. This issue contains 24 pages including both covers. Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi, Sub-Editors Vikas Bhadra, Ulka Vartak, Rehana Penwala Layout Design Asif Shayannawar, Snigdha Hodarkar, Vikas Sawant Marketing: Mumbai Rakesh Kini (Digital), Ganesh Gurav, Vivek Jadhav B 62, Cotton Exchange Bldg, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 Tel: (022) 32656823, 23736133, 32958501 Fax: (022) 23743069 Email:response@ marvelinfomedia.com Delhi Ms. Sumita Prakash, Flat F 304, Rajasthan C.G.H.S. Ltd,Plot No. 36, Sector 4, Dwarka, New Delhi Tel: 9899179540 Email: s_biswas1203@ yahoo.com Chennai Mr. S. Venkataraaman, Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel: (044) 22281128 Mob: 9444021128 Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com Kolkata Mr. Subrata Mazumder, 2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli). Kolkata 700084 Tel: (033) 2410 4296 Mob: 9831131395 Email: subrata22@rediffmail.com Europe 282, Rue du Noyer, bt 16, 1030 Bruxelles, Belgium. REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE Recycling old magazines and newspapers is one of the easiest ways to help the environment. To increase the supply of recoverable wood fibre and to reduce the demand on the world’s landfills, THE INSIDE TRACK urges its readers to actively participate in recycling efforts.

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THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

continued from page 2 dishwashers with Zeolite, a naturallyoccurring mineral that needs no maintenance and achieves excellent drying results, not just for glass. Hotpoint-Ariston The evolution of ovens was the focus of the Hotpoint-Ariston ‘Open Oven showcases’ area, with products ranging from the current Luce models to a new advanced technology production platform, due to be launched in 2015. Open Oven featured both current and up-and-coming models, illustrating how these have evolved, giving visitors a chance to see how new technology can turn a simple oven into a connected, environment and user friendly and user sensitive appliance. Wolf Wolf showcased its new convection steam oven, with a much larger internal cavity, featuring the exclusive automatic ‘Gourmet’ mode that regulates the timing and

Hotpoint-Ariston’s Open Oven

and high energy savings, capable of cooking up to four different dishes simultaneously. The Crystal Black Mirror cooktop is embellished with jewel like transparent knobs which are almost invisible from a distance against the black surface of the glass, and shine like diamonds against the sophisticated rigour of the total black hob. Neff Neff ’s range of induction hobs has been totally overhauled and extended, with the innovative FlexInduction

which not only makes professionalquality espresso, cappuccino, latte and macchiato and steams and froths milk with a single touch but also has a milk cleaning feature, which utilises steam cleaning (3-6 seconds) and requires no disassembly. Gaggenau Gaggenau’s 400 series achieve excellent results and respond to all manner of cooking demands. Combi-steam ovens have two

Wolf’s new convection steam oven

temperature of any food item by adjusting the temperature. For each food the oven is designed to detect the best combination of steam and convection, sense the moisture content of the food and adjust for ideal results. The same goes for leftovers in need of rejuvenation. From rice dishes to pizza and fine cuts of meat to bread, flavour and appearance come back to life with steam cooking. Another innovation for those with a passion for coffee is Coffee System by Sub-Zero and Wolf

Irinox Home Freddy by Irinox Home provides cooking and refrigeration in one single product. It is the first chiller designed for domestic use that combines slow heat with blast chilling. Temperatures can vary between -35°C and +80°C by means of eight exclusive functions. Blast chilling of hot food up to +3°C is possible which will stay perfectly in the fridge for a week; fast freeze and defrost, the latter with no loss of liquid, vitamins or quality; natural rising conditions for ordinary and speciality breads and pizza; low

Coffee System by Sub-Zero and Wolf

temperature meat and fish cooking for undiminished taste and maximum tenderness; programmed regeneration enabling hot food to be ready on arrival at home; personalised conservation for the exact temperature settings required by delicate food items such as ice cream, chocolate or raw fish; and drinks cooler to keep wine and soft drinks fresh for guests. Irinox Home also presented Zero - the only built-in vacuum storage cabinet. It can reach 99.9% storage capacity to prolong the life of fresh food and

features for baking ordinary and speciality breads and all kinds of pastries combining temperatures of just under 50°C with steam to create the perfect climate for bread to rise and bake, and a fixed steam outlet system. The 400 series also comes with an optional refractory baking stone for cooking at temperatures up to 300, reproducing the wood oven conditions and accompanied by a small wooden paddle, ideal for moving food around on top of the extremely hot surface.

Liebherr Advanced cooling technology and elegant design are the hallmarks of Liebherr Hausgeräte’s stylish and eye-catching freezers, with their high quality smart steel finish; this reduces the visibility of finger marks,

Neff’s induction hob

preserve its aroma, taste and colour for longer.

Gaggenau’s 400 series combi-steam oven

surface with three new accessories: a Japanese-style stainless steel Teppanyaki for creating an exotic feast, a cast iron grill for a mixed grill with friends and finally, a steamer for preparing light, tasty food.

Franke Franke presented its Inox and Crystal limited edition collections signed by multi-star chef Bruno Barbieri: the Crystal ovens in particular feature the patented brand - new Dynamic Cooking Technology (DCT) ensuring excellent heat management, no need for pre-heating, no risk of burns, appreciably shorter cooking times

is considerably more scratch-resistant and is especially easy to clean. A further Liebherr highlight was the range of wine cabinets; the innovative cabinets are built-under ‘UWT 1682 Vinidor’, with their new Tip Open technology for integration into handle-free furniture. When gently tapped, the glass door opens automatically to 7 cm, offering convenient access to enable full opening. If the door is not opened further within about three seconds,

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Liebherr Hausgeräte’s freezer

the soft-closing system automatically shuts it again. Nardi Elettrodomestici Clean lines and avant-garde design mark out the latest designs from Nardi Elettrodomestici. Futuristic, versatile and flexible, there is a model for every space, taste and creative style. Some of the different versions have high efficiency plates with burners inset into the worktop itself, adding a marked designer touch to any kitchen.

Elica’s New Evolution

Miele The German company Miele presented around 300 PureLine and ContourLine built-in appliances with enhanced aesthetics, achieved by the inclusion of out-of-theordinary materials; many of these appliances can be operated with a smartphone-like interface. Beko Not satisfied with truly innovative materials alone, Turkish Beko has come up with an ice cream-making refrigerator. The Home Cream function not only keeps ice cream

cold, but also has a built-in ice creammaker in the freezer compartment for mixing and chilling fresh ingredients to produce home-made ice cream. The exclusive NeoFrost technology, one of the company’s many patents, guarantees doubly fast cooling and twice the level of humidity than the standard NoFrost. The Cast Line collection by Patricia Urquiola for Beko strikes a perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality: the full-gas oven with its innovative hidden handle on three sides of the door is reminiscent of a painting; the monobloc hobs with their integrated cast iron radiant burners and grills are the synthesis of clean design and cutting-edge technology. Of the 10 products (gas cooktops of various sizes, induction hob, oven and cooker hood) the domino gas cooktop and the cooker hood have just netted the coveted iF-Design Award. Smeg There are two completely new aesthetic lines from Smeg, complete

Faber SkyLift

the elegant interiors, lit with several sets of lateral and frontal LED points which, strategically positioned, offer a perfect view of the spaces within. Elica Original materials have also been used in Elica’s Ye island hoods. Cristalplant is a solid surface that allows for soft lines and two-way extraction. Ye models feature concealed LED spotlights that guarantee perfect lighting for

Franke’s Inox and Crystal limited edition collections

with cook tops and ovens of various sizes from compact 45 cm models to 60 cm ones, responding to increasingly diversified and evolving market and kitchen style demands. Steel and glass reign supreme, along with a novel burner design. Brushed stainless steel is also used for refrigerators, along with micro-hammered stainless steel, normally used for medical instruments because of its antibacterial properties, for internal surfaces coming into direct contact with food. Aluminium and toughened glass details offset

Miele PureLine appliances

food preparation, have a remote control and a high-performance, high-efficiency motor for both extraction and filtering. Elica also presented New Evolution, the latest edition of Evolution, Elica’s first range of ceiling-mounted lamp/hoods, launched in 2005. Best Best, also showcased innovative materials such as techno-polymers and ceramic cooker hoods as well as brushless high efficiency motors for eco-sustainable impact, recyclability and lower energy,

along with ergonomic and user friendly interfaces. Faber Faber successfully applied the principle of active noise reduction to a domestic appliance for the very first time: after recording it directly from source, Silk Act creates a form of opposite wave that cancels out the original, thus eliminating any acoustic perception. Via an internal microphone the original acoustic signal is measured and decoded in

Elica’s Ye island hood

order to emit a push-pull output, which makes the perceived noise less irritating by lowering the frequency. This technology does away with 13 decibel acoustic pollution and makes for a much more relaxing atmosphere in the very heart of the home. Faber also presented SkyLift, the only retractable hood built into the ceiling that lowers onto the hob: 4 thin steel cables lower the hood onto the hob when you need it and retract it when no longer in use, thanks to Faber’s exclusive up/down technology. Contact www.cosmit.it

The Cast Line collection by Patricia Urquiola

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

It Products Ebax Hygiene Floor Drains Jyoti Industries (India), makers of Nirali, one of India’s leading stainless steel kitchen sinks, have extended their state-ofthe-art manufacturing expertise and experience with the introduction of the Ebax range of stainless steel bathroom floor drains. With every kitchen and

bathroom becoming more design oriented, there has been a latent need for futuristic, modern and aesthetic floor drains. Ebax floor drain range is the answer. Precision craftsmanship combined with best quality AISI 304-grade stainless steel is used in Ebax. The range includes an innovative 4-piece drain that cuts off odour and insects from entering bathrooms and the kitchen. The 4-piece and 2-piece drains come in 8 super elegant models, and each design comes in small and big variants too. The Ebax range also includes shower channels, terrace, and corner floor drains. Contact www.ebax.in

Nargis Fakhri Launches Kerovit’s Sanitary Ware Collection

The brand ambassador of Kajaria, Nargis Fakhri, recently launched Kerovit – an exquisite range of sanitary ware products at the Kajaria Dealer Conference in Goa. The exclusive range includes sanitary ware products that match lifestyle sensibilities of the ‘global Indian’ consumer with features such as swirling water flushes, soft closing seat covers, minimalistic actuator plates

with battery-operated sensors, contemporary water closets, chic wash basins and WCs amongst others. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rishi Kajaria (JMD), Kajaria Ceramics Limited, commented, “The newly-launched product portfolio at the conference is designed to cater to the aspirations of our discerning consumers by providing them with stylish, classic, innovative yet economical 360 degree bath solutions.” Kerovit products are available in all authorised Kajaria Ceramics Limited dealerships, at prices starting from Rs. 3,000. The Dealer Conference is an annual event held by Kajaria to facilitate its dealer fraternity. It also serves as a forum for the channel partners and the Kajaria team to collaborate and develop business strategies for the year. Contact web: www.kajariaceramics.com

Corian Countertops DuPont™ Corian® solid surface is nonporous, durable, nontoxic, easy-to-clean and NSF/ ANSI Standard 51 Certified for food contact making it ideal for use where food is prepared and served. Under normal temperatures, it does not emit any kind of gases. When burnt, it releases mainly carbon oxides and the smoke generated is optically light. Moreover,

Corian’s new Dark Colors from its innovative DeepColor® Technology delivers greater depth of colour with improved durability and reduced scratch visibility by 50% and increased resistance to impact whitening. These new technological improvements open up new opportunities in kitchen environments. Contact web: www.dupont.co.in

Blum Servo-Drive - The Electric Motion Support System Servo-Drive, the electric motion support system by Blum is mesmerisingly easy. Lift systems and pull-outs open by themselves with a single touch and close again softly and effortlessly with Blumotion. Servo-Drive means you need just one system for the entire kitchen for both wall cabinets and base units. Users can stop pull-outs and wall cabinets in any position and set them in motion again

when they want to. In the event of power failure, the fittings are still fully functional. Thanks to Servo-Drive, lift systems glide open at a single touch and close again just as conveniently at the press of a switch. Servo-Drive is ideal for handle-less furniture but is also suitable for furniture with handles. Contact web: www.blum.com/in

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

HSIL Vents

It Products Bosch Dishwashers Bosch’s German-engineered dishwasher is tailor-made for the Indian foodie. It’s fitted with technology that can kill 99.9% germs, rinse and dry dishes to perfection. Bosch’s dishwasher is a welcome change, made especially for Indian households. It ensures low power consumption, optimum utilisation of water, has a user-friendly design, child proof control lock and different

types of programmes for varied requirements. Contact web: www.bosch-home.com/in

Flavia - An All-Rounder For Every Day Flavia, the new family of kitchen sinks by Villeroy & Boch is designed as a true all-rounder for everyday use: these highquality ceramic sinks blend timeless design with the best in functional benefits. Flavia also fits in well with many of the current kitchen-cabinetry facing styles and appliances, from modern to classic. Flavia is available in three prevailing sizes - 45, 50 and 60 cm - for the right sink solution in any room situation. There are also 16 contemporary ceramic colours to choose from. This way, the sink can either harmonise well with the kitchen colour concept completely in line with decorating plans and tastes - or present an

intentionally strong contrast or courageous accent. Flavia is equipped with a waste system basket strainer. Grooves and elevated areas on the drainer surface give tableware the air supply it needs to dry perfectly. The sinks are reversible too, for right- or left-side installation as required. This makes Flavia an adaptable addition to any kitchen layout. With its timeless design Flavia is a splendid match for kitchens in a wide variety of styles. This makes it just right for all those people looking for a high-quality kitchen sink that combines appealing design with intelligent functionality. Contact www.villeroyboch-group.com

HSIL Vents comes with a design range of extractor fans with Vents Modern Series. The casing and the impellor design makes the fan efficient, leading to a lifelong service. The front panel is made from organic glass. Being a lowwatt electronic motor, its r.p.m is 2400 with a maximum air capacity of 265 m3/h. Vents offers a complete range of domestic extractor fans, which help ventilate any part of the household as well as aids commercial ventilation system. The range of Vents’ extractor

fans are an amalgamation of unique design and technology, it combines outstanding performance and reliability and features low power consumption and noise levels. In this era of intellectually smart ventilation, Vents are silent operators and perfect companion for your ventilation issues; bathroom, kitchen, living quarters and other premises - they consume less energy (up to nearly 50% in select models). Contact web: www. hindwarehomes.com/vents

Franke Ovens

Franke with Dynamic Cooking Technology, or DCT: the exclusive and patented Franke oven technology, their ovens guarantee excellent chef-proven performance. This technology can eliminate the risk of burning

food, reduce energy use by 21%, bake food in a dietetic manner and ensure optimal results even when serving an à la carte dinner. Contact web: www.franke.com

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Sizzle Dining Set By Godrej Interio

It Products Miele Generation 6000 Dishwashers The Generation 6000 Dishwashers are designed to unpretentiously integrate into any kitchen style – traditional, contemporary and modern. Ranging from freestanding dishwashers to semi-integrated and fully integrated, Miele dishwashers blend into the kitchen cabinetry impeccably. They come with a handful of

attributes: the Knock2Open technology opens the dishwasher automatically with two light taps on the door; the M Touch Control customises the user interface and the Energy Save programme uses only 0.83 kWh powering it with an A+++ rating. Contact web: www.miele.in

Fisher & Paykel Launches Gas On Glass Hobs The New Zealand based innovators, Fisher & Paykel’s Gas on Glass range combines the highest-quality, ceramic glass surface with the efficiency of gas cooking. It delivers total cooking precision through the latest burner technology – with powerful burner ratings – and machined stainless-steel dials. You can select the cooktop that works best for you from the range of sizes and shapes available in the Gas on Glass range. Delivering total cooking precision, whether gently simmering sauces or highheat wok cooking, Fisher & Paykel gas cooktops ensure professional cooking results. They come equipped with

the latest burner technology, electronic ignition and highly responsive dials for precise heat adjustment. The wok burner can be used for cooking at high temperatures with a uniform flame for even heat distribution, as can the auxiliary burner with the added capability of exceptionally low temperatures. The Gas Cooktop series is a part of the Fisher & Paykel’s modular family of appliances designed using premium quality materials. The black reflective glass, black ceramic glass and polished metal trim used in the different cooktops, blends elegant, minimalist aesthetic with design for durability. Contact web: www.fisherpaykel.com/in

One of the significant traditions of Indian culture is being served warm or piping hot food at the dining table. Sizzle, a unique creation by Godrej Interio’s design team, is a six seater dining solution with a well-integrated induction cooktop for healthy food. It is a highly convenient solution for consumers who are always on the move and live a fast paced life. The cooktop reacts promptly with touch sensitive interface and a voiceover feature incorporated for extra safety. Thanks to its circular glass top, lacquered in black paint for a classy look and toughened for long life. A

surprise yet functional element is created by a lid cum tray which is seamlessly merged with the central revolving plate to protect the ceramic induction cooktop. Despite its simplicity, Sizzle amazes you with its dynamic pattern on the revolving plate which appeals to the sense of touch. The low height of the seat is well thought about such that it is comfortable for all age groups. It is complemented with low height seating and pouffe which gels perfectly with your contemporary living room furniture. Contact web: www.godrejinterio.com

Caesarstone Quartz Surfaces By Hafele

Caesarstone quartz surfaces by Hafele are the ultimate combination of nature and technology. Non-porous, scratch resistant and highly resistant to stains, Caesarstone retains its beauty without sealants or waxes and is almost maintenance-free. Ideal for kitchens, Caesarstone stone surfaces have four times the

flexural strength and double the impact resistance of granite while impressively outperforming marble. Due to the material’s outstanding durability, Caesarstone can be installed in thinner forms to save weight, or in larger sections to reduce the amount of joints on a surface. Contact www.hafele.in

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Metrika Modular Kitchens

It Products

Since conception Metrika has realised the need to offer quality and designer kitchens. They offer durable materials that withstand rough handling, are abuse resistant and yet maintain modern aesthetics and high

Electrolux Wine Coolers Electrolux A 45 cm wine cooler (ERW0670A12) by Electrolux offers an air circulation fan that regulates temperature between 5-20°C to ensure bottles of wine are held in a temperate zone for maximum taste and all easily controlled through its digital display. A high temperature alarm (both visible and audible) and anti-UV door glass for light

levels of comfort. With integrated appliances in tall units, their modular kitchens are space saving which lends them an international appearance too. Contact web: www.metrika.in

protection also ensure temperature status. The cooler holds as many as 24 bottles of wine across three wooden shelves that also offer the flexibility to store larger bottles if required. Contact web: www.electrolux.in

P‘7340 By Poggenpohl And Porsche Design Studio The P‘7340 by Poggenpohl and the Porsche Design Studio is a kitchen which goes beyond the horizontal and takes on masculine attributes. Through

the mitering of the front and carcase the front appears as a fine vertical line. Contact web: www.poggenpohl.com

Alnoinox By Alno Three Alnoinox kitchen lines by Alno were recently premiered at EuroCucina. These kitchens are low maintenance, scuff-proof, resilient, and feature a strong structure and image. The unique Alnoinox steel kitchen has a sleek and elegant design. The powder-

coated surfaces are available in all Natural Colour System (NCS) colours. The sandwich design into fronts and shelf boards is the feature of steel kitchens that makes them unique. Contact web: www.alno.in

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Kitchen Spl.

echnology today has become an inseparable part of human life. So there is no doubt that technology in its various forms has reached every corner of your house. This includes your kitchens. We have already talked about how the kitchen is no more traditional and how it has transformed into a social, sophisticated place. When we talk about technology in our kitchens, the first thing we think about is various appliances used in our daily lives. So naturally, these inseparable technologies should not just be functional but also user friendly which make our lives easier and comfortable. The appliances industry is working towards the highest level of technological advancement to bring global products in your household. Companies today have been striving with this motive on priority as to how to make these appliances a perfect fit for your kitchen. So we bring to you some of the best cutting-edge appliances that can complement your kitchen. Hobs and Cooktops

Elica’s Chrome

Franke Presenting the Crystal Capsule Collection at EuroCucina, the total black finish of Franke’s Crystal Hob was enhanced with beautiful transparent jewel knobs. The minimalist hob features five high-efficiency burners for heat distribution and rapid cooking and a removable magnetic heat guard, which acts as a temperature shield in front of the knobs. Bosch Crafted elegantly with stainless steel and black glass, Bosch gas hobs are equipped with advanced triple flame burners. These burners provide efficient flame coverage for utensils and ensure even heat distribution that is required for the perfect

Appliances That Make Life Easy Now you can proudly flaunt your kitchens

with these high-tech user-friendly and sophisticated appliances. BY ULKA VARTAK & REHANA PENWALA ‘phulkas’. As safety is not an option while cooking, the gas hobs have inbuilt safety features such as Flame Failure Device, that cuts off the gas supply immediately in case the flame extinguishes accidently. Electrolux The Electrolux Gemline™ model is tailor-made to combine several cooking methods - gas, induction or radiant heat - with each other. If the flame accidentally goes off, the innovative technology recognises this cooktop incident and automatically shuts off the gas supply. Since this gas on glass frameless hob has two different sized burners, it provides more flexibility for the efficient use of pots and pans of different sizes. These high quality knobs made of highly heat-resistant and stable materials promise an intuitive control - even after many years of use. Hoods Faber Lumia is a new island concept hood that responds to demand for new product lines and a new look in the kitchen. The new design concept of this hood featuring an unusual volume and silhouette masterfully combines different sources of inspiration, playing with linear outlines and the unusual mashrabiya pattern reproduced on the body with a 3D laser. Powerful flush-mounted LED lights on the panel around the perimeter of the lower part not only light up the hob while saving energy but underline the cut-out pattern recalling the windows of traditional Middle Eastern homes. Elica Elica’s ongoing research into

Bosch’s gas hob

Fisher & Paykel’s DishDrawer

functionality and beauty finds expression in the form of designer extractor hoods. Chrome has an exceptionally high suction performance, which is ideal for large kitchens or for intensive sessions of boiling, frying and grilling. It’s a daring exercise in design, where technology permits absolute silence and is a master in controls, filtering systems and energy efficient lighting.

Faber’s Lumia island concept hood

Sleek Sleek, in association with Airforce from Italy offers world-class chimneys to suit the Indian modular kitchen. It’s an innovative chimney that rises from the platform when needed and rolls back down when not, and is just perfect for the Indian kitchen. It’s a revolutionary counter mounted chimney that would remove all space constraints of a regular chimney. The axial motors smoothly let the air out without detours and are powerful, silent and eco-friendly. Dishwashers Fisher & Paykel If kitchens are being redesigned around drawers, it makes sense that dishwashers are as well. Di s h Dr a w e r ™ re q u i re s l e s s

movement to open, load and close and require no bending - bringing better ergonomics into the kitchen. DishDrawer™ delivers superior energy and water efficiency - in fact it uses less water per load than to wash the same number of dishes by hand. Powered by SmartDrive™ intelligent technology with water level sensing and a flow through detergent dispenser, DishDrawer™ ensures there is always an optimum wash cycle and better dish care. Electrolux A key innovation in the Electrolux RealLife® dishwasher is the introduction of soft spikes and grips to hold even the most delicate of glassware safely and securely in place ensuring efficient yet gentle cleaning. A combination of XXL tub, twin-axis spray arm, removable cutlery tray, energy-efficient cleaning and an energy rating of A+++ and a noise pollution perspective 39dB to boot, makes it a diverse and effective dishwasher on the market. Refrigerators Fisher & Paykel The 790mm Fisher & Paykel French Door refrigerator featuring ActiveSmart™ technology creates a controlled environment for better food care, constantly monitors the usage patterns of the fridge, and adjusts airflow to maintain a stable and even temperature. Also included is their famous drawer technology, allowing access to the freezer easily without needing to bend, reach or stretch. The slimline water dispenser takes up no internal space in the fridge and the icemaker

Electrolux’s dishwasher

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

is conveniently tucked away in the freezer, creating more space. Siemens With an exceptional design that is carved to impress, the aCool refrigerator just doesn’t keep things cold. The ice and water dispenser provide cold water, ice cubes and crushed ice for refreshment whenever the mood strikes. The icemaker located inside the freezer can produce up to 1.9 kg of ice cubes in 24 hours. The refrigeration system in the aCool refrigerator of Siemens - the multiAirflow system, the fresh Protectbox and sensor controls ensures that food will have the ultimate storage climate.

Fisher & Paykel’s French Door refrigerator

Wine Coolers Kaff For connoisseurs of fine wines, who love to entertain in style, Kaff wine coolers are the perfect choice. They store and chill wine to perfection and keep them healthy and perfect for tasting. High in functionality, low in maintenance, easy to install and operate, Kaff ’s freestanding and built-in versions come with LED lighting facility, stainless steel door frame and handle for superior wine storage. Ovens Miele M i e l e’s C o m b i St e a m o v e n harmoniously combines the health benefits and convenience of a steam oven with the power and versatility of conventional oven functionality. The steam function, powered by Miele’s signature MultiSteam feature for even temperature distribution

Miele’s Combi Steam oven

different types of food at the same time. Other features include an interlocking grill system, a hotplate, while an integrated fat and oil collection system assures healthier food and no ‘flare ups’.

Siemen’s BBQ domino grill

and crisping up under the grill ensures super-tasty results. Available in CleanSteel stainless steel and operated using intuitive M Touch controls, this sleek appliance is sure to prove an indispensable addition to a kitchen that wants to level up its luxe quotient. Barbeque Grills Siemens Siemens Domino BBQ Grill is built for avid barbecue lovers who fancy grilled food. The stainless steel grill with nine power levels ensures that the barbeque is unmatched with perfect culinary results. So whether it is mutton kebabs, pork ribs to chicken wings to be barbecued; the Siemens Domino BBQ Grill creates the ultimate, succulent and tender treats infusing all the delicious flavors. Siemens lava stones create

Kaff’s wine cooler

an authentic grilling taste while ensuring minimum of smoke. It’s built with removable cast iron grill, oil drainage outlet and ceramic black glass lid that ensure that the used oil is drained off and the kitchen is kempt and stylish. Smeg Available in two designs, the Smeg barbeque has a total of 20 kW power over five burners and a cooking surface of over 90cm wide. Each burner has its own individual control which gives the freedom to cook

Coffee Makers Miele The new Generation 6000 coffee makers promise to leave its patrons overwhelmed with exclusive features like M Touch Control; CupSensor that rules out the problem of spluttering and milk and coffee splashes, ensuring the perfect coffee temperature and the best crema; OneTouch for two functions which allows the user to prepare two coffee specialties such as cappuccino and latte macchiato at the same time. This advanced Miele coffee

Miele’s Generation 6000 coffee makers

machine is the world’s only built-in coffee machine to use the popular Nespresso capsule system. Electrolux An after dinner coffee is catered for with a 45 cm integrated coffee machine (EBC54513AX), although with wonderful, freshly brewed tasting coffee at the touch of a button, one can choose a powerful espresso or a long, indulgent cup at any time of the day from one of the five coffee quantity selections, whilst further diversity is offered from a choice of coffee beans or pre-ground coffee. Premium design is offered through a white LCD display with touch controls, a front accessible water tank for easy refill and all with an antifingerprint stainless steel finish. Contact www.franke.com www.electrolux.in www.bosch-home.com/in www.siemens-home.com/in www.miele.in www.smegindia.com www.kaff.in www.fisherpaykel.com/in/ www.sleekworld.com www.elicaindia.com www.faberspa.co.in

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Kitchen Spl.

he evolution of the kitchen from a mere utilitarian space to the main hub in the house has accelerated over the last couple of decades, and all the products that make up a kitchen are continually redesigned, re-engineered and updated. We l i v e i n a c o n s t a n t l y evolving design age where kitchen manufacturers are realising the importance of connecting how we all live in our homes, the way we interact with our appliances, the way we prepare food, and the way appliances, fixtures, and finishes should interplay with our senses. A functional kitchen needs not only the basics - a kitchen sink, working surface, and cooking appliances but also plenty of storage for cooking utensils and comfortable hardware for managing the storage. That’s where these innovative hardware and storage solutions come in. Take a look at the best in hardware and custom kitchen storage systems that can turn a good kitchen into a great one. Hacker Owing to its elegant and completely new design, besides being in the kitchen, the Climber wall unit is placed consciously in the dining and living areas. The special feature of this cabinet is its 13 cm wide glass louvers, which are available in multiple finishes. Just through a slight touch on the bottom of the cabinet the glass front slides open electrically in a slow and elegant manner. It closes again in the same way. Depending on the body height, the cabinet is equipped with one or two glass shelves, which can be fitted

Operate With Ease We bring you some smart kitchen hardware and storage solutions engineered for your comfort. BY ULKA VARTAK & REHANA PENWALA

access to the storage. Based on the soft-closing technology, the damper produces self-closing movement for smooth, effortless operation. The Tall Pull Out is a userfriendly unit and a real boon to the homemaker. This innovative spacesaving unit is extremely compact for limited spaces in the kitchen. The tall unit smoothly slides straight and also swings to the side making accessibility extremely easy. One does not need to move from one side to the other looking for an ingredient. Just swing the unit to your side and get what you want. It is a great unit to store bottles and dry food packages.

Hacker’s Climber wall unit

with optional LED lighting. In Hacker’s Sensomatic range, the drawer opens seamlessly and elegantly with a simple touch and another touch closes the drawer smoothly, without making any noise. The Sensomatic range is also available in lift-up wall units where a slight touch opens the front and closing switch, is inside the carcass side so aesthetically it looks elegant and functional. It works on normal electricity so that there is no hassle of changing the batteries frequently.

Hacker’s Sensomatic range

Sleek With the innovative lateral swinging hinge system, Sleek brings the world class LIN- X600 swivel door technology by LAMP (Japan). With the lateral swing mechanism the doors slide elegantly on either side of the cabinet, unlike ordinary doors that require considerable space in the front. The hinge allows the door to freely stop in any opened position. The door will not get in the way when fully opened providing 100% visibility and

Sleek’s lateral swinging hinge system

Ozone As a smart, trendy and hygienic kitchen waste manager, Ozone offers its Trash Management System in two varieties – swing-out trash bin and pull-out trash bin. The swing-out bin is a 14-litre stainless steel round bin fixed inside a 13.5” wide cabinet and swings out when the cabinet is pulled for use. It can be easily emptied by pulling out the removable inner bucket provided inside. The pull-out bin is available in two options; a two and three compartment PVC rectangular bin. Ozone’s Ergotec Drawer System, a high-end kitchen furniture drawer

Ozone’s pull-out trash bin

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Hettich’s Sensys wide-angle hinge

Sleek’s Tall Pull Out Unit

system, is a premium and highperformance drawer system offering maximum inner drawer space; glides smoothly with perfection and has high load bearing capacity. This system comes in two varieties – Standard Drawer System and Standard Drawer System with Railing. The former is a full-extension sliding system suitable for 90mm tall drawers with a load capacity upto 45 kg. The latter comes with single and double railing bars which help to increase the drawer height as per user’s requirement. Ebco In the Libell Magic Corner Comfort, all the shelves can be pulled right out of the unit and accessed from there. This corner unit allows for

Ozone’s Ergotec Drawer System

maximum use (over 80%) of the storage space. The shelves and fittings form an integrated whole with frames and slide-out systems. The shelves’ rounded shape and curved corners also make them easy to clean and are available with nonslip mat. The Convoy Lavido by Ebco is a user-friendly solution for wide larder units offering optimum accessibility from three sides. The rounded shape of the elements ensures that every last inch of storage is put to good use. The non-obstructive non slip mat sticks to the shelf surface and can be removed for cleaning. Magnetic dividers and rails can be used as a simple flexible way of further organising the storage spaces. The shelves have infinite height

adjustment so one can easily adapt their height according to the items they want to store in them. A unique built-in soft-opening (Softstopp Pro) in the Convoy Lavido is the first of its kind. Hettich The Sensys wide-angle hinge gives furniture doors a wide opening angle and closes them evenly and gently. Sensys is a hinge system with integrated soft-closing mechanism for even more convenience in closing hinged doors. The invisibly integrated damping element, Silent System has an excellent performance: exceptionally wide self-closing angle of 35°, ideal function over a temperature range of +5 °C to +40 °C, maximum access from a 165°

Ebco’s Libell Magic Corner Comfort

Ebco’s Convoy Lavido

opening angle. It has also received a Red Dot award for ‘Product Design 2014’. Hafele Base unit storage spaces are handy to stock all the essentials required for the preparation zone. Hafele’s bottle pull-out fits slimly in the base unit area and optimises the space available to store cooking essentials like spice jars and oil bottles. It’s equipped with two fixed trays, a closed metal base and side rails to secure the bottles, while also coming with an anticorrosive finish that is sustainable to harsh conditions. Contact www.ebco.in www.sleekworld.com www.ozone-india.com www.haecker-india.com

Hafele’s bottle pull-out

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Kitchen Spl.

hen it comes to taking care of business in the kitchen, you need kitchen fixtures that are built to handle everything you need. Filling pots, washing dishes, rinsing food… But could it do more? Many homeowners are equipping their kitchens with fixtures that help them use water smartly. The perfect kitchen fixtures combine functionality and aesthetics, while quality is also important when selecting a kitchen fixture. There are a lot of things happening simultaneously in modern kitchen design, making it hard to put a finger on one overriding trend in kitchen fixture design. It is rather a variety of developments in design and functionality that industry experts are witnessing. Here are some of the companies that have nailed this art: Delta Sleek elegance of modern design is

For That Perfect Wash Take a look at the latest kitchen faucet and sink trends plus new styles, finishes and features.

Ebco Ebco kitchen sinks are manufactured using 304 grade stainless steel. These sinks can be flush fitted, under mounted or simply inset. They are available in three stylish finishes: electropolish, brushed steel and microdecore (anti-scratch).

The Trinsic Kitchen collection from Delta Faucet

Vero by Duravit

Grohe’s Zedra kitchen faucet

embodied in the Trinsic Kitchen collection from Delta Faucet. Because sometimes your hand could use a hand, Trinsic pull down faucets come with Delta’s patented Touch2O Technology that allows you to turn On and Off your faucet with a simple touch anywhere on the spout

Cyprum by Dornbracht

or handle. Its MagnaTite docking system keeps the pull-down wand mounted securely in place. Grohe Grohe’s latest collection of elegant kitchen faucets titled ‘Zedra’ is a perfect blend of contemporary aesthetics and maximum functionality with exemplary reliability for rigorous everyday use. For easier maintenance, Limescale on the flexible pull-out sprays can be easily removed thanks to the SpeedClean® nozzles. The Zedra collection comes in two highquality finishes: the high-gloss Grohe StarLight® chrome and the durable Grohe RealSteel with anti-bacterial properties. Whichever you choose, Grohe SilkMove® will ensure longlasting smooth movement. Duravit Ceramic is an established material offering subtle variations and, when combined with surfaces made from wood, stainless steel, glass or paint, creates exciting highlights in the

Franke Franke’s Lounge collection of taps come in two versions - semi-pro and swivel spout. The semi-pro has a single-lever mixer with a pull-out spray which becomes an essential necessity for the daily chores of cooking, chopping and cleaning. It’s

kitchen. One such ceramic sink is Vero by Duravit which features a straight-lined and timeless design. The undercounter sink proves particularly practical in everyday kitchen use - liquids and food waste can be wiped straight into the sink from the worktop. Whether wood, natural stone or granite, Vero can be combined with virtually any worktop material. Dornbracht Dornbracht is transferring the increasing significance of the copper colour trend to the kitchen environment. Cyprum is a high-gloss finish produced using 18-carat gold and copper and is now available for the first time for kitchen fixtures. Dornbracht is adding a new rosegold sheen to its fitting icons Tara and Tara Classic, as well as its singlelever 360° range-of-motion mixer Pivot. The pure and well-defined style of the Tara series and the intuitive functionality of Pivot subtly interact with the warm elegance of Cyprum.

mountable for right side handling and offers a swivel range of 360°. Franke Designed by Mario Ferrarini, the new Crystal sink uses stainless steel and black glass to showcase the interplay between reflections

Ebco’s kitchen sink

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

bowl or a bowl with a dégradé, line-free draining board designed to let water run off gently - Crystal also features zero radius bowls.

and height effects. The severity of steel is broken up with two six mm thick glass sheets which fit perfectly into the recesses designed to accommodate them. These two design accents conceal the overflow and drain openings, ensuring faultless coordination with the other elements in the system. Available in two versions - a maxi-

Grohe’s Minta Touch

Franke’s Lounge collection

Franke’s Crystal sink

Grohe Bring elegance and functionality to the kitchen with Grohe Minta Touch. It is an exquisite and classy collection targeted at women who can do with some assistance while managing their daily kitchen chores. Being touch sensitive, the Grohe Minta Touch faucet is a hybrid product that is ergonomically designed. It helps with myriad chores while saving water and maintaining the hygiene and contamination levels in the kitchen. Its advanced technology means that all you need to do to turn on the faucet is a light touch with the back of your hand, wrist or lower arm. Contact www.grohe.com/in www.deltafaucet.co.in www.franke.com www.ebco.in www.dornbracht.com www.duravit.in

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Interview

ven a company that has set great precedents with its centuries-old tradition once ‘started small’. It all began in Hornberg, Germany in 1817 when Georg Friedrich Horn built an earthenware factory initially focused solely on the manufacture of crockery. In 1956, production evolved from earthenware to porcelain, extending the product range to include sanitary ceramics. This provided a platform for future success and also introduced

Vero - Pure Elegance, Fair And Square Duravit does it again. The brand unveiled its latest furniture collection by designer Kurt Merki Jr. at the recently concluded iSaloni.

Designer Kurt Merki Jr.

bath and sanitary ware space?

It is the details of Vero that really show the quality and high value of the furniture: the wood grain of the individual washing areas is horizontal throughout and both look and feel authentic

the sanitary world to a new name: Duravit. Today, Duravit AG operates at an international level and boasts 10 production plants with a workforce of more than 5,000 employees worldwide - an indication of Duravit’s tremendous evolution, which has always been rooted in a ‘tradition of innovation’. And Duravit continues to demonstrate its eagerness to charter new territory with its innovative technology, extraordinary

design and the development of new product segments. Simply put, Duravit recognises good bathroom design by the fact that it seems specially-created to suit all individual tastes. The new Vero collection of bathroom furniture by Duravit is a response to exactly this dichotomy: an elementary basic model with carefully balanced proportions meets a strong design identity.

With the Vero furniture collection, Zurich-based designer Kurt Merki Jr. is expanding Duravit’s Vero range of ceramics that has enjoyed twelve years of success. At the recently concluded iSaloni, ‘The Inside Track’ got a chance to have a candid chat with the designer himself. We bring you excerpts from the interview. Is this the first collection you are doing for a company engaged in the

This is the first product I have ever done in the bathroom segment for Duravit. When Duravit came to me to do something for Vero, it was a huge honour to do something for the best seller. Would you say working on a furniture collection for a sanitary ware line is a difficult commission? Every project I do; I try to understand the culture of what I am doing. So it is not the same thing making bathroom furniture and making furniture for the living room. However close those things look, there are technical issues you have to look at. For me what is important is to understand what you are doing and for whom you are doing it. What are you influencing in that person’s life? Are you helping them or are you making their life more difficult? All these things are considered in whatever I do. You have to understand the purpose of what you are doing. For me, I really want my clients to come to me for difficult things and not ‘let’s make another chair’. So this was really challenging to live up to. How did the association actually happen and what were the expectations when you first started? The association between me and Duravit happened about two years

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Vero intelligently adapts to individual bathroom needs and represents a unity of balanced design and memorable details

ago when I introduced them to a project which they really liked. So that project is still in discussion, and they were very interested in what I presented to them. After the course of a year, we visited, we sat down and discussed generally and then I got the proposal, because that was the first thing at hand. So they asked me to come up with something that will live up to the best seller. For me it was to do something that will be new but at the same time will be long lasting. Can you give us a brief overview about the collection? Vero represents a harmonious unity of balanced design and memorable details with simplicity and purity of design. There are around 120 different combinations and sizes and within those combinations, you can combine them again with each other and multiply the possibilities. The open compartment of the furniture console shows that less is more: a shiny chrome frame is a characteristic design feature and also serves as an integrated towel holder. Optional LED ambient lighting below the console accentuates the relaxed atmosphere that the wood surfaces bring into the bathroom. Discreet and yet expressive, the high-gloss white finish highlights the furniture collection’s cubic credentials. Ve r s a t i l e p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r combining vanity units with an open compartment or closed drawers, console applications and cabinets, as well as mirrors and mirror cabinets

with double mirror doors and shelf elements, offer a tremendous amount of space and are suitable for a wide range of different uses. Thanks to this tremendous variety, Vero intelligently adapts to individual bathroom needs and to any interior architecture. However, it is the details that really show the quality and high value of the furniture: the wood grain of the individual washing areas is horizontal throughout and both looks and feels authentic. This is particularly apparent in the Ticino cherry wood décor. The interiors of the furniture are a sophisticated diamond black. Drawers are optionally fitted with a maple or walnut interior organiser system and, thanks to integrated tracks, close particularly softly. Mirrors and mirror cabinets can be optionally fitted with both a sound system and LED dimmer function and complement the functionality of the range to meet individual requirements. The shelf and mirror surfaces are designed as an integrated, harmonious whole and form a balanced composition. Depending on their arrangement, they appear to flow into one another and highlight the unique expression and lively aesthetics that Vero introduces into the bathroom. Were there any considerations related to ergonomics, utilisation of space or durability? If I start with the durability i.e. quality, for Duravit, quality is like

standard. So quality is something that is essential. The second thing important to me was to try being flexible, seeing what we can do in the variation. You see the furniture, it should appear quiet but at the same time the technology is supposed to be hidden. You don’t have to see the switch or the cables running. It is very quiet, but we have the hidden elements like the LEDs, the handrail; you don’t see how it is fitted, you just see that it runs through quietly. The everyday practical issue was very important for me.

What are your plans for the future? What’s next? At the moment I am working on something incredible. I have been a designer for three years and I have done a lot of interior design and a lot of private homes. What I love is I don’t wait for companies to come to me, I go to companies. If I have an idea or something to change, I just do it. I like to do something challenging. Contact web: www.duravit.in

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Interview

ver the years, India has witnessed a significant emergence in an audience with discerning individuality. And when it comes to their lifestyles, finding the perfect match has always been difficult. Miele tries to meet and surpass such changing lifestyle requirements by offering its legendary range of appliances to India. The Miele motto of ‘Immer

Miele: Forever Better Made in Germany, Miele stands for

durability, reliability, security and peace of mind - delivering the highest quality products for your home.

Miele’s Generation 6000 range of appliances is not only distinguished by elegant new design, but also remarkable innovations to deliver unmatched results that can be seen, touched and tasted

besser’ is stringently applied to everything Miele approaches. Synthesising form and functionality with every appliance, Miele products give customers the highest degree of convenience with a touch of luxury. The Miele India projects team works closely with architects, designers, developers, investors and project managers to create customised offerings that complement their design and projects. In a candid interview with The Inside Track, Dr. Reinhard Zinkann, Managing Director, Miele Group,

Miele’s Washer Dryer

shared some insights about Miele’s journey in India and also talked about the latest products unveiled at the iSaloni 2014. How has Miele performed this year internationally and how would you rate its performance in India? We are already coming close to the end of this fiscal year, which is on the 30th of June. But to come back to the last fiscal year we had a growth of approximately 3.8% and we guess that this year too we will also have a single digit growth. So to speak we’re not unhappy - some European countries are in deep crisis like Greece, Spain, Portugal and others, so there we did have difficulties. But we could make it up in other countries which are growing fast and stable such as the US, China and Australia which are doing very well. The problem that we do have especially in this fiscal year and which is probably continuing is the currency - the exchange rate of the Dollar-Euro is against us. If you would look at the turnover or revenues in countries like Australia or the US or Canada, it’s very positive. But if we turn it

into Euros it reflects differently. We would actually have a much higher growth if we didn’t have the currency against us. Now to come to India, we are not extremely happy, but we’re not unhappy as well. The problem is that India is a completely different market than all other markets we are in. The reason for that is firstly, the Indian market is completely different, then the project business in India is not picking up as fast as in other markets, like the rest of Asia, Australia or the US. In India projects are mostly sold bare shell that means those who buy our goods put them in their own kitchens and bathrooms. Furthermore, there are only few high-end retailers in our business field that really understand to sell the value of appliances. Now why is that? What is the difference between our minds and India? The difference is that first, human labour in India is rather cheap from a rather low income, from middle class onwards people have domestic staff. So the question is why would they invest in highend appliances if their staff is doing the work using it? Then in high-end houses, you often have

a wet kitchen for the staff and a show kitchen for the family, but the latter is never used. So these are completely different market approaches. However, we believe that India is one of the important growing economies in the world and it will continue to grow for many reasons. Those who are prospering also know about European quality products because they travel the world and many wealthy Indian families have homes in Europe. These are the difficulties that

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

but for us the most important topic is the value of the product and the value of the brand. We won’t do anything just for the sake of selling figures or just increasing sales. The value of the brand is the most important asset; as such we need a distribution that helps us along with that. So that’s the way we’ll think in the future and that’s the way how we’ve always thought.

Dr. Reinhard Zinkann, Managing Director, Miele Group

we’re facing and we know that it will take time until we really have a stable growth here, but that’s okay. And of course we did have growth in India and we did have projects, but those were not to our highest expectations. We understand the difficulties and differences of this market and by doing so we have different expectations and business plans. What is the launch strateg y for your new products in the Indian market? We are in India with our own subsidiary. We do not partner with local importers and at this point of time there is no need and no strategic intent of giving up our own subsidiary and changing this distribution system. We definitely do think about different options, but to open up our own stores is probably not the right approach because people would want to see other products as well and the very wealthy ladies would not go shopping for washing machines. So we are in a strategic discussion on how to approach the Indian market differently but there is no solution yet. As I said, it’s a difficult market;

Last year Miele replaced about 80 percent of its product line. What has been the response to the new collection? It’s been terrifically good and it has exceeded all our expectations. The Generation 6000 with the M Touch control is perceived as the utmost standard of the industry. We are completely sold out in a few products. I know this is a luxury problem, but it is a problem, because our capacity can’t produce as much as the demand. So we are very happy with that. We’ve introduced a new generation of laundry care appliances in September and we’re also very happy with that because it has been received very well due to the fact that it gives add-on value to the consumer. Are there some further additions t h a t a re b e i n g l a u n c h e d a t the iSaloni? What we have here are, let’s say are some complements to Generation 6000. With Miele Signature for example we offer new handle versions from which customers can select to create their own inimitable kitchen style. But I also have to admit that the product pipeline for Generation 7000 is already filled. So we’re full of ideas and ready for the next step. How are Miele washing machines, that are known so well globally,

doing in India? About the same, meaning we are not growing faster in washing machines than in built-in appliances. But there’s also reason behind it, that is, first there’s a local industry and washing machines are perceived as very cheap products. So to make people understand why they should pay such a high premium price for a washing machine is a difficult topic. And we have a lack in trade and dealers who are willing to invest in exactly that and who are willing to explain to wealthy customers the value of the product and the value it gives to all the high end and delicate garments that are washed by these machines. It is difficult because very often in India people still wash by hand. Even the local industry faces difficulties due to the fact that labour is so cheap. We are growing slowly but steadily, but not significantly. What would you say are some of the challenges that still have to be met in India? Like India, Greece or Spain, each countr y has some individual countrywide challenges and there are global challenges - then there

are challenges by competition, by the market and by different products. But I believe that with Gen 6000, and our new generation of washers and dryers, we have the best available product. I believe that we have a very strong and good sales force worldwide and as such I look forward to a positive and bright future. Also, I’d like to add that all our thoughts are long term. We never think in quarters or even in years; we think in generations. If the product is built to last for 20 years, then you can understand why we think in generations. And all we do is long term; we never act short term for the sake of improving sales. In terms of your new product launches, is it a simultaneous launch globally or is there a lag for India? No, we can’t launch simultaneously due to one important factor: All our appliances have to apply to local norms, and that takes time. It is different from US to Mexico to India and so on. Plus, it is an enormous effort for our sales and service organisation. We can’t overstretch them. So the launch happens country by country, and by the end of this year it will be in all countries. Contact web: www.miele.in

German engineered and tested to the equivalent of 20 years usage, Miele’s new range reinforces its position at the forefront of household appliances

THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Spot Light

lliances between conglomerates, big or small, have always borne fruit for both the participating entities. In today’s competitive world, companies are increasingly turning towards strong collaborations that are mutually benefitting and create a proliferating business environment.

Jaquar Gets Busy In Singapore Jaquar enters into a partnership with the Singapore Institute of Architects to promote the profession in Singapore. designs.” Having completed its 50 th anniversary last year, this event is a welcome change for the SIA who has been involved in profiling, building and growing the profession in the island country. The built environment, the cityscape and the city skyline are testimonies of the architect’s contributions to Singapore and to nation building. The transformation of Singapore to what it is today is a significant achievement that its architects and the institute have simultaneously achieved. Conceived 54 years ago, the Jaquar group was built on the platform of

highest quality standards, aesthetics and with the intent of providing world class products. Today Jaquar is one of the most preferred complete bathing solutions group across 30 countries in AsiaPacific, Middle East and Africa offering wide range of bathroom products like bath fittings, sanitary ware, shower enclosures, water heaters, flushing systems and wellness products such as whirlpools, shower panels, showers, steam cabins and spas. Contact web: www.jaquar.com www.sia.org.sg

Mr. Theodore Chan, President, SIA and Mr. Rajesh Mehra, Director Promoter Jaquar Group

A different approach to collaborations is for promoting a cause. Jaquar, the complete bathing solutions company and the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) have recently entered into an association of the latter kind - to promote architects and the architectural profession in Singapore. Jaquar, known for designing and manufacturing the highest quality of bathing solutions and the Singapore Institute of Architects, that is the sole representative for the architectural

profession in Singapore, jointly established a partnership program with the sole objective to promote the architectural profession in Singapore. Mr. Rajesh Mehra, Director and Promoter Jaquar Group and Mr. Theodore Chan, President, SIA said in a joint statement, “This association will be acknowledging the efforts of architects in the region as they pursue standards of excellence in their field and continue to create innovative architectural

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Jaquar’s alliance with the Singapore Institute of Architects will promote the efforts of architects in the region

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THE INSIDE TRACK July 2014

Spot Light

andana Jain is someone who believes that creating the exquisite and hand painted is the need of new tech-savvy homes. Armed with that ideology and a vision to revolutionise the lighting and home décor industry, Bandana is set to carve a niche for herself soon. She creates products with a glamour quotient; something that is unconventional, practical and

Bandana Jain, Owner, Sylvn Studio

Raw Ingenuity Sylvn Studio’s products made from unusual raw materials are both a visual feast and a conversation starter. BY REHANA PENWALA most importantly accountable to the environment. Meet Bandana Jain of Sylvn Studio. She creates handcrafted home decor products from a gamut of recycled materials such as corrugated boards, empty bottles, bicycle wheels, old books, fused bulbs, shirts, etc. Her product range includes earth friendly lamps, furniture and home decor products with an aim to create beautiful visual experiences in varied spaces such as homes, restaurants, lobbies and business centres. As a student of the JJ School of Art, Bandana has always been fascinated with inventing things from unwanted trash and uncommon raw materials. Probe her about the beginnings of this beautiful creative enterprise and she responds, “For our new house, I wanted to create a

The unique texture to the products is courtesy the use of various recycled materials

plush new lounge atmosphere. After going through the designs available in the market, I realised there is a need for a new textured decor. That led me to creating furniture from corrugated paper sheets. After a lot

of experimentation with designs and colours, I was able to create a beautiful unique look for my lounge. The appreciation that I received, inspired me to take it up on a bigger scale and this became the root of Sylvn Studio.” Talking about texture, the products are a visual delight. The recycled material and an innovative design give a unique texture to the products, which are termite proof and highly durable. But the process of creating these masterpieces is not easy. Right from finding the perfect corrugated board to work with to the unavailability of skilled labour and cutting facilities makes it an arduous process. Her products are priced between Rs. 850 to Rs. 58000. And if you are the arty kind, Sylvn Studio’s products might catch your fancy at a local home decor or handicraft exhibition. Contact web: www.sylvnstudio.com