Press release 100 years and fit for the future

100 years and fit for the future

In its anniversary year, the E.G.O.-Group looks forward to the past hundred years with pride and – despite the repeat decline in sales in the past fiscal year – with confidence. Product innovations, new business, and an optimized corporate structure provide the basis for this.

Oberderdingen I The E.G.O.-Group (E.G.O.) generated a turnover of EUR 637 million last year. This is nine percent below the previous year’s figure. At the BLANC & FISCHER Family Holding press conference, Dr. Karlheinz Hörsting, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the E.G.O.-Group, emphasized that it was possible to hold the market shares in the 2024 fiscal year despite the further decline in sales. The global household appliance industry is still in crisis, and construction activity is still weak and not generating momentum. Overall, however, the varied product portfolio of the E.G.O.-Group continues to be in demand worldwide, Dr. Hörsting continued. The overview of new business in the individual business areas makes it clear. Whether innovation or existing products: our customers want E.G.O. solutions, and demand is now increasing in America and Asia.

New business area: Climate solutions

"The influence of E.G.O. in the home environment has increased continuously over the past 100 years. With our Climate Solutions, we are expanding more into the field of heat pumps," explained Dr. Hörsting. In addition to EGO thermostats and insert heating elements, EGO inverter technologies and user interfaces have potential for use in building air conditioning solutions. “We are already developing a booster heater for a customer to preheat heat pumps in cold temperatures,” said Dr. Hörsting.

New induction platform

“In response to the recent supply crisis with electronic components, we are fundamentally overhauling our device platforms,” explained Dr. Hörsting. The EGO Quad+ induction platform designed for professional use will also be replaced by the EGO Q1. EGO Q1 offers a new type of power control as well as new features, such as temperature control for griddle plates and cookware, as well as the possibility to connect to an energy management system in the professional kitchen via digital interfaces. The EGO Q1 four-zone cooking surface can be operated with a total output of up to 20 kW.

Putting an end to tangled cables

“An important trend for the kitchen is the defined Ki technology standard. It enables the wireless operation of small kitchen appliances,” explained Dr. Hörsting. Coffee machines, toasters, blenders, rice cookers, air fryers and other small appliances are powered by induction with an electrical output of up to 2,200 watts. E.G.O. has already solved the technological challenges for integrating Ki into induction hobs, making cooking and operation of small cordless appliances on the same cooking zone possible. “E.G.O. has started initial concrete product development with customers, and I am convinced that the Ki technology will be used in our kitchens!”, Dr. Hörsting provided current insights.

Full steam ahead

EGO thick film steam generators for household ovens and steamers are compact and powerful. “They can produce uniform amounts of steam very quickly in a very small space,” explained Dr. Hörsting. The thick film heating system specially developed for the application can also be used to measure the steam generator’s calcification. This makes the descaling process easier to control and prevents unnecessary interruptions in operation for the user. Dr. Hörsting pointed out the further potential of the technology: "We are also working on using steam generators with advanced thick film heating technology in the laundry care range. Because the use of steam in this field of application is constantly increasing – be it to freshen up clothes, remove wrinkles, or achieve a more thorough or hygienic clean."

International Growth

When looking at new business in 2024, Dr. Hörsting emphasized: "Europe is still our strongest market. But the Americas and APAC regions are of immense importance to us for future growth. The demand for our products and innovations is increasing in both regions, and that is very encouraging."

Adjustments in the production network

In order to be able to support this growth, E.G.O. already opened a new production site in Mexico in February. Expanding the previous site in Querétaro was no longer an option, which is why the entire electronics production with the necessary infrastructure as well as additional machines and equipment for radiant heating element production were moved from the North American site in Newnan to the Amexhe industrial park in Apaseo el Grande near Querétaro.  The new plant in Apaseo el Grande has an area of approx. 18,000 square meters, which can be expanded modularly to almost 30,000 square meters if needed. Around 300 colleagues now produce electronic controls for dishwashers, laundry dryers, baking ovens, refrigerators and washing machines, as well as the EGO HiLight radiant heater, at state-of-the-art workplaces.

E.G.O. is also investing in a new production facility in Poland and is building it in Lodz. This promising investment supports customers who are building up corresponding capacities in the environment. The foundation stone for the new production plant was laid in November 2024. Since then, construction has progressed well.

In Oberderdingen, the 2024+ Future Collective Labor Agreement, which was concluded last year and is valid until 2029, secures employment. "The entire workforce is involved in the implementation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all employees for their support and willingness to change," said Dr. Hörsting. 

“In the production network, we are creating impetus that will enable us to support growth in the regions,” Dr. Hörsting summarized the adjustments.

E.G.O. continues to drive digitalization forward

“Digitalization is one of the key factors when it comes to increasing competitiveness and improving employees' individual working environments,” Dr. Hörsting emphasized. Planning and implementation of all digitization projects at the global production locations as well as their strategic and future orientation are therefore centrally bundled in the Factory X initiative. The core of the initiative is to create global standardization of systems, applications, and IT solutions. “One example is improvements in the assembly process of our EGO G5 induction at the production site in Oberderdingen. Here we are testing a new AI-supported system that is intended to increase productivity in the assembly process,” explained Dr. Hörsting. “With camera technology and AI, we analyze the assembly process and can thus identify potential for improvement.”

100 years as a pioneer in the household

"A century of E.G.O. – that’s also 100 years of innovation among our employees around the world. With their know-how and commitment, they have made E.G.O. what it is today: a company with a worldwide reputation. We can be proud of this!", emphasized Dr. Hörsting.