NEWS | Round-up People are funny and in this
regular series, our bathroom retailer recounts some of the crazier moments he has had dealing with customers
A shared secret
IN THIS so-called ‘digital age’, it has become the norm for clients to snap pictures on their phone of their own existing room, or maybe collect inspirational images from Instagram, and then bring these images into the showroom to offer as examples and ideas for the design of their new space.
It was during one of our initial consultations that I first met Dave and Sally. A charming younger couple who were keen to have a relaxing and spa-like bathroom space in their home. After enjoying a very rejuvenating holiday in Thailand, they had decided that the bathroom was their new focus and project. We discussed the scope for the new room while drinking coffee and having a really pleasant chat. I could see the couple were very much in love and connected in a special way, and it was an enjoyable and friendly consultation. Dave passed me his phone and said, just scroll to the right and all our pics are there for you to get the best idea of what we want. I took the phone, and without thinking much of it, I scrolled to the right.
It was then that I had a simultaneous discovery:
there was Sally, stark naked on the balcony in Thailand. And to make things worse, a part of Dave’s anatomy was reflected in the glass of the balcony door.
At exactly the same time,
Dave’s face in the showroom demonstrated that he suddenly realised what he had done. Sally was unaware of
the
Whirlpool sales still declining after record-breaking 2021
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION has
revealed its full year results for 2023, which are down 1.4% on 2022 and around 11% down on its record results for 2021. For the 2022 financial year Whirlpool Corporation posted sales of $19.46 billion (£15.34bn), down 1.4% on $19.72bn in 2022 and around 11% down on that record-breaking sales figure for 2021 of $21.98bn. Profits (EBIT) for 2023 came in at $1.1bn, down by 12.4% from 2022’s $1.36bn.
Around the world, in North America Q4 sales were up 1% with profits plunging 46%.
In Latin America sales were up 17% with profits up 18%. In Asia, sales rose by 9% but profits plummeted by 50%, with the Corporation planning to sell off up to 24% of Whirlpool India. Whirlpool reported continued weak demand in Europe, which saw a Q4 performance for the EMEA region that fell 8.3% year on year to $995 million, but with profits of $33m compared with a $4m loss in Q4 2022. In Europe, Whirlpool expects its merger deal with Arçelik to complete in 2024 and said it anticipates a significant cost take-out of up to $400m as a result, with an anticipated expansion in margins.
moment that Dave and I were sharing and rather than react to the fact I had experienced more of these clients than I had wished to, I kept calm and carried on. I said nothing and quickly moved the image back to the snaps of the lavvy in their hotel. Dave knew I had seen all of Sally, and this was to be our secret.
Our secret certainly built retailer/client trust in a different way than ever before
When our consultation ended, the lovely couple left
and I said to my colleague, I don’t think they’ll book in and shared why. Having given my card to the couple, it was then that my phone bleeped, I had received a text from Dave which read: “thanks so much mate, really appreciate the lack of reaction to that sneaky pic – I owe you one!” It was apparently to be our unspoken secret and it certainly built retailer/client trust in a different way than ever before.
They went with us, contrary to what I had thought after seeing the X-rated image.
It has left me with a fear when handed a phone and asked to scroll through the photos – I now say, are you sure? It’s never failed to get a smile or a laugh… clearly this happens in more places and to more people than just me.
10
The company pledged in 2022 to reset its cost structure in order to achieve savings of around $800m and is aiming to save a further $400m in the course of 2024.
Chairman and chief executive officer of Whirlpool Corporation Mark Bitzer said: “In 2023, we delivered over a point of North America share gains and approximately $800 million of cost take out as expected.”
He added: “Looking forward to 2024 we expect to further reset our cost structure
with an
additional $300 to $400
million of
cost take out, while our portfolio transfor mation will unlock margin lift
with the close of the Europe transaction, expected in April 2024.”
Whirlpool said that it is resegmenting the business to reflect its transformed portfolio, with 2024 reporting segments now including major domestic appliances for North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia, along with global small domestic appliances. Chief financial officer Jim Peters added: “The strength of our balance sheet as we exit the year along with strong cash generation, positions us well to fund approximately $400m of dividends in 2024, while further reducing debt by $500m.”
Grohe sponsors female skills competition for second year
BATHROOM SOLUTIONS brand Grohe, through its GIVE vocational training and education programme, supported the second HIP female-only plumbing and heating skills competition.
The HIP event debuted in 2023 and was intended to provide a dedicated space for enthusiastic females within the plumbing and heating industry, which is often represented mainly by males, to showcase their skills and talent.
After the success of last year’s event, GIVE was the headline sponsor for the competition for the second year running.
The 2024 HIP female skills competition saw
Level 2 and 3 female plumbing and heating learners of all ages from colleges around the country going head to head in three regional heats at Bath College, Leicester College and Kirklees College in Huddersfield for a place in the grand final. The winners and runners-up from these heats will face further practical installation tests at the final at Stephenson College, Coalville, on April 18. Grohe’s GIVE programme leader Chris Penney will attend the final to hand out prizes and congratulate the victors.
The GIVE programme supports plumbing schools across the EMENA region by training and educating aspiring young installers. It also provides schools with installer-training spaces, modern equipment and training materials.
• March 2024
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