JennAir
Submitted by ApplianceGuy on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 10:40am.
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!
Exclusive Distribution!
Well I hate to say I told you so but I told you so. Independent Only brand for what 30 days!!!! I dont think the floor displays have even hit the market yet and they already high fiving each other in Benton Harbor over the Sears floor display order. As I said before keep drinking the Whirlpool juice.
Yea, Yea.....
Yea, and as you said before, JennAir is not a premium product. Any more words of wisdom? We were actually informed of the Sears deal being a possibility months ago. I for one do separate them slightly from the general "big box" companies. After all, they do have a service department, not a great one, but a service department. I'll drink the Whirlpool coolaid, you can keep bashing Whirlpool. Just remember you are bashing a company that employs around 30,000 Americans.
Jennair Premium?
Jennair has long offered products several pegs beneath the brand's position in the market. Because of its long history, people equated Jennair with luxury or premium appliances long after that was no longer true. If you define premium as Thermador/Dacor/Sub-Zero/Viking, they had not been competing at that level.
The new Jennair product line looks like they've made an attempt to dump most of the lower end misfits, and to raise the quality of their game.
Traditionally ...
... when someone asked for "downdraft" they were asking for a Jenn-Aire ... it was long time "given" that they were the cutting edge of the marketplace ... no other appliance in their collection enjoyed such distinction !!!
While I wait the opportunity to view the line personally, I've only seen the web site and their new convertible "Duct Free Ventilation" system ... I have just two (2) observations:
1. The CookTop looks very much like a Wolf (without the DownDraft, of course) from the burner configuration (which I do not like) to the output statistics ...
2. I have my wonders about a "ductless" system without knowing how the volume of intake is dissipated, to how condensation due to gravity is handled ...
... and with a little bit of luck, I'll get to see something before K-Biz (if it's worth going to)... but if not, then I might have to go undercover to Sears !!!
Good point on the
Good point on the condensation.I'm also wondering if the user will like the 425 cfm blowing on their feet. I beleive the exhaust will go through the cabinet toe kick.We shall see....
Non-ducted Downdrafts
This is not the first non-ducted (recirculating) downdraft. Gaggenau or Siemens-brand was the first that we are aware of.
Why would the condensation issue be any more of a problem than what already happens with non-ducted updrafts, another worthless ventilation configuration?
To the extent that people enjoy the benefits of a ventilation system that does not work sucking up, they certainly will enjoy a ventilation system that does not work sucking down. The thing about consumers is, it's all about the looks, and these things should look great.
Non-ducted hoods promise to remove smell, but they do not remove, CO, CO2, other cooking gasses and heat. Do they remove moisture? None have ever been designed to do so in the past, but if there is condensation, than the system could delay the release of moisture, which might have some benefit.
Right ... but ...
I think we all agree that non-ducted hoods are like a band aid ... they suck the steam away from the cooktop and shoot it out the top ... woe be the cook who is tall enough for it to ruin their hairdo !!!
OTR non-ducted hood have much less condensation because heat rises and stays warmer than when it sinks ... so the steam of an OTR has more time to evaporate, while the downdraft does not, causing more condensation ...
I remember the Gaggeneau unit ... took up a monstrous amount of under-the-cooktop space I like (when I design kitchens) for pots and pans ... it also takes a very good installer to make the field adjustments for that downdraft ... I remember it looking like more than any other downdraft I ever worked with ...
Time will tell I guess !!!
Jenn Air
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.
VISION?
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.
Appliance Nerd
I have one word that your glorious BIG BOX cant even spell... SERVICE. This is what will carry Jennair and future brands in the independants. Last time i checked your glorious BIG BOX were having problems with service. More and more independants are saying to customers " WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL" hence dont ask us to fix your BIG BOX item call them.Yes, there are stand alone repair centers but do you get personalized service or do they come when they can?Good things take time, what i see is Jennair making a come back from the good old days. I would suggest the lets wait and see approch, as from what i can see so far is good attitude from Whirlpool while other manufactures are struggling.Love the new MAYTAG wow... nice catch whirlpool...
Yes, Vision.....
First of all, nobody better be betting their future on any big corporation (or the government for that matter). But you are wrong that the independents can't make JennAir work and do it better than the big box. It has worked for Viking, SubZero, Miele and Thermador and it has worked well. Fisher & Paykel learned some tough lessons (hopefully) in joining up with Lowes. When it comes to a premium product with limited distribution every independent I know will line up behind the brand and support it, and I know a lot of independent dealers. Compare JennAir to Roper, RCA, Amana and Magic Chef? Just because something doesn't work for Kia doesn't mean it can't work for Lincoln. Two different subjects. Remember, there is not a single succesful high end brand sold in a box store and there are reasons.
Premium?
I guess if you consider Jenn-Air as a premium product. I dont! Any brand that sells free standing ranges is not really a premium product. More of a mass premium like Bosch, Electrolux, Profile if they think they can bring that line up to the level of a Viking, Wolf, or other premium brands good luck! Another great Whirlpool brand strategy. The days of Jenn-Air saying they are the #1 preferred cooking brand are over. That died when the downdraft cooktop stoped being cool. Jenn-Air is not high end and it never will be no matter how much lipstick you put on it.
Freestanding?
"Any brand that sells free standing ranges is not really a premium product". I don't want to argue with you but I could send you links to the websites of Wolf and Viking showing that they sell freestanding ranges. The only brand that would qualify as a "premium" brand according to your definition is Miele. There is definately no debate that JennAir will never come up to the line of Viking and Wolf, but I think it is safe to say that they will take the "other premium brands" lunch, hands down. Have you seen the product first hand Mr. Nerd? Because if you haven't you should wait to express your opinion until you do see it. Their wall oven was rated by their competitors as the most exiting product at KBIS.
AJ Madison Picture
Hey smooth as silk see the picture of the Free Standing Range on the AJ Madison picture to the right? That is a Jenn-Air FREE STANDING Range. Looks very premium when sitting below an over the range microwave. Who showed up at KBIS to vote this year LG and GE. I have seen the product and if you think a menu driven control board is cool then this product will be awesome! Match that up with the innovative ductless downdraft cooktop and you have a low volume market exclusive. And the Independent dealers will get to be the channel to launch these dogs. Dont kid yourself they probably pitched it to Lowes, Depot, and Sears and all of them said have fun! Keep drinking that Whirlpool juice as I am sure they can deliver exactly what they say they can.
I guess Viking and Dacor are out
Viking and Dacor both offer freestanding ranges with over the range microwaves. I guess that leaves the "premium" market to Wolf, Thermador and Monogram. They are qualified for the position, but I would never have thought a conversation could be had about premium appliances that would exclude Viking. I do like the menu driven control board, but a menu driven control board and a downdraft cooktop will never make a product line a success. But, if you add to it "affordable" integrated built in refrigrators with the reliablilty of KitchenAid, "affordable" pro ranges, wall ovens without the menu driven control for customers who don't need that and a fit and finish that is more than adequate you have a product line that people are looking for today. Good looks, good performance and a "value" price point. I am curious what your go to brand is for high end products. Do you sell high end, or are you at a box store and are upset that suddenly JennAir is no longer on your menu? With an elitist attitude that a company that offers some products for the masses among their premium lines I would have a couple guesses but don't want to jump to any conclusions.
Premium Market
I believe it is a sound policy to roll out a middle of the road product even if you are high end. The high end has shrunk to say the least.Some of these companies need to increase revenue. So for Dacor to roll out other levels of products is good. Viking ? They have gotten by for years with less than a top performing product and have sold their "look". I never considered them to have top engineering talent. Hard to recruit that kind of talent there. Monogram, heck GE does not even produce that line themselves and it is a small blip on their financials. Thermador is diluting their high end . The high end players remain the same ,just a diversified offering now.
I am Curious, however ...
... 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 ...
New Jennair Line
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
Euro Line Alive and well
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.
Jennair
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.
Some Reasons
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.
Jenn Air
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.
From Whirlpool's lips.....
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.
Jenn Air 2
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 ?
Great product
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
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.
Jenn Air
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.
Looking forward to the
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.