Electrolux invests in new furnace for oven appliance factory

Global appliance company Electrolux Group has taken a significant step towards net-zero emissions in its remaining Australian factory with the commissioning of a new electric-powered furnace at its Adelaide cooking products plant.

Electrolux is the only home appliance company still manufacturing in Australia, employing approximately 450 at Dudley Park who turn out up to 350,000 ovens annually.

General Manager of Operations Phil Saloniklis, said the dismantling of the old gas furnace and installation of a new electric-powered model demonstrated the company’s commitment to investing in Australian manufacturing.

Saloniklis said: “Electrolux Group is committed to continually investing in our critical infrastructure in Adelaide.

“This project continues our commitment to seek renewable energy alternatives in our factories.”

Reaching temperatures of up to 900 degrees C, the furnace forms a key part of the cooking appliance enamelling process.

It is capable of producing up to 240 60 cm oven cavities every hour with a firing time of four minutes per cavity.

The furnace, which reduces energy consumption by approximately 70 per cent, complements the installation of over 8,000 solar panels to power the facility, on site battery storage and a facility Zero Waste to Landfill certification.

The $3.5 million electric-powered furnace is a world-first for the Electrolux Group and replaces the existing gas-fired furnace, which was installed in 1984.

It was commissioned during a ceremony on site with South Australian Ministers and Electrolux Group Senior Vice President of Product Line Taste, Christopher Duncan, in attendance.

Electrolux’s Adelaide factory produces 350,000 ovens annually and services the Australian and New Zealand markets with exports to North America, the Middle East, South Africa and the Asia Pacific region.

Electrolux Group Managing Director ANZ Kurt Hegvold said: “We will continue to research ways to utilise renewable energy and reduce the impact of our global operations – the Dudley Park site is leading the Electrolux Group globally with the installation of this furnace.”

Further reading:
Leadership in factory automation – Electrolux Home Products

Picture: Automation at Electrolux Home Products cooking plant