Gorenje
Encyclopedia
Gorenje is the largest Slovenia
n manufacturer of white goods (larger home appliance
s). With a continent-wide market share of 4%, it is one of the eight largest manufacturers of home appliances in Europe. Appliances are sold under company's own brands Gorenje, Mora, Atag, Pelgrim, Etna, Körting and Sidex, and are produced in the main production facility in Velenje
as well as at the cooking appliances plant Mora Moravia in Mariánské Údolí
(Czech Republic) and at the fridge-freezer plant in Valjevo
(Serbia).
Since the company’s beginnings in 1950, Gorenje has expanded into a multinational corporation
and the Gorenje Group currently includes 83 companies, 59 of which are located outside Slovenia
. In addition to household appliances, Gorenje manufactures ceramic
s, kitchen and bathroom furniture, and provides services in the fields of energy, ecology and trade. Its products for home, services and companies are present in over 70 countries, mostly in Europe.
Gorenje's vision is to become the most innovative, design-oriented maker of products for home. It cooperates with Swarovski
, Pininfarina
, Karim Rashid
, and Ora-Ïto.
1961 - 1970
1971 - 1980
1981 - 1990
1991 - 1996
1997
2000
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2005, Plus X Design Award 2006 and ICSID
Design Award 2006.
, and the institution Sport & Media.
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
n manufacturer of white goods (larger home appliance
Home appliance
Home appliances are electrical/mechanical machines which accomplish some household functions, such as cooking or cleaning. Home appliances can be classified into:*Major appliances, or White goods*Small appliances, or Brown goods...
s). With a continent-wide market share of 4%, it is one of the eight largest manufacturers of home appliances in Europe. Appliances are sold under company's own brands Gorenje, Mora, Atag, Pelgrim, Etna, Körting and Sidex, and are produced in the main production facility in Velenje
Velenje
Velenje is a town and municipality in northern Slovenia. The municipality has 33.331 inhabitants. Staro Velenje is first mentioned in written doucments dating to 1264 and 1374 as small market town and was a center of handicraft and trade...
as well as at the cooking appliances plant Mora Moravia in Mariánské Údolí
Hlubočky
Hlubočky is a village and municipality in Olomouc District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic.The municipality covers an area of , and has a population of 4,423 ....
(Czech Republic) and at the fridge-freezer plant in Valjevo
Valjevo
Valjevo is a city and municipality located in western Serbia. It is the center of the Kolubara District, which includes five other smaller municipalities with a total population of almost 180,000 people...
(Serbia).
Since the company’s beginnings in 1950, Gorenje has expanded into a multinational corporation
Multinational corporation
A multi national corporation or enterprise , is a corporation or an enterprise that manages production or delivers services in more than one country. It can also be referred to as an international corporation...
and the Gorenje Group currently includes 83 companies, 59 of which are located outside Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
. In addition to household appliances, Gorenje manufactures ceramic
Ceramic
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
s, kitchen and bathroom furniture, and provides services in the fields of energy, ecology and trade. Its products for home, services and companies are present in over 70 countries, mostly in Europe.
Gorenje's vision is to become the most innovative, design-oriented maker of products for home. It cooperates with Swarovski
Swarovski
Swarovski is the brand name for a range of precisely-cut crystal and related luxury products produced by Swarovski AG of Wattens, Austria...
, Pininfarina
Pininfarina
Pininfarina S.p.A. is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder in Cambiano, Italy.Founded as Società anonima Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930 by automobile designer and builder Battista "Pinin" Farina, Pininfarina has been employed by a wide variety of high-end automobile manufacturers,...
, Karim Rashid
Karim Rashid
Karim Rashid is an industrial designer. He received a Bachelor in Industrial Design from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada in 1982 and completed his postgraduate studies in Italy....
, and Ora-Ïto.
History
1950 - 1960- Gorenje is established in a village Gorenje. Initially the company manufactures agricultural machineryAgricultural machineryAgricultural machinery is machinery used in the operation of an agricultural area or farm.-Hand tools:The first person to turn from the hunting and gathering lifestyle to farming probably did so by using his bare hands, and perhaps some sticks or stones. Tools such as knives, scythes, and wooden...
. - In 1958, Gorenje starts producing solid-fuelSolid fuelSolid fuel refers to various types of solid material that are used as fuel to produce energy and provide heating, usually released through combustion....
cookers. - The company is relocated to the town of Velenje.
1961 - 1970
- The production of washing machineWashing machineA washing machine is a machine designed to wash laundry, such as clothing, towels and sheets...
s and refrigeratorRefrigeratorA refrigerator is a common household appliance that consists of a thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump that transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its external environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a temperature below the ambient temperature of the room...
s is launched. - In 1961, Gorenje exports the first 200 cookers to Germany.
1971 - 1980
- The product range is expanded to kitchen units, ceramics, medical equipment, telecommunications devices, TV sets and other electrical goods.
- Gorenje continues its expansion and employs over 20,000 people.
- The company begins establishing a distribution and sales network in Western Europe (Germany, Austria, France, Denmark and Italy) and Australia.
1981 - 1990
- Gorenje narrows its focus on production of domestic appliances.
- UK and the USA are added to the export market network.
1991 - 1996
- Gorenje continues to expand its distribution and sales network in Eastern Europe.
1997
- Gorenje becomes a publicly traded joint stock companyJoint stock companyA joint-stock company is a type of corporation or partnership involving two or more individuals that own shares of stock in the company...
2000
- The first appliances collection designed by the Italian design studio Pininfarina is launched.
2005
- Gorenje takes over the Czech manufacturer of kitchen ranges Mora Moravia.
2006
- A new refrigerator and freezer plant is opened in Valjevo (Serbia).
- A water heater and radiator plant is opened in Stara PazovaStara PazovaStara Pazova is a town and municipality in Srem District of Vojvodina, Serbia. The town has a population of 18,645, while Stara Pazova municipality has 67,576 inhabitants.-Name:...
(Serbia). - A second collection of household appliances Gorenje Pininfarina, designed by the Italian designer studio Pininfarina, is launched.
- The fridge freezer made with CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements is launched.
- Cooperation with the French star designer Ora-Ïto is announced.
2007
- The Gorenje Ora-Ïto Collection is launched in IstanbulIstanbulIstanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
. - The first Gorenje Pink Oldtimer is sold at the charity auction for raising money in a campaign cancer.
2008
- Gorenje continues its cooperation with Pininfarina and launches the Gorenje Pininfarina Black collection.
- Top-level Dutch provider of white goods ATAG is acquired.
- Gorenje takes part at the Internationale Funkausstellung BerlinInternationale Funkausstellung BerlinThe IFA or Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin is one of the oldest industrial exhibitions in Germany. Between 1924 and 1939 it was an annual event, but as from 1950 it was organized on a two yearly basis until 2005. Since then it has become an annual event again, held in September...
fair in Berlin, unveiling its innovative fridge-freezer Gorenje "Made for iPodIPodiPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
." - The Gorenje Ora-Ïto White collection of appliances is launched.
2009
- Gorenje participates at the Milan Design WeekSalone del MobileThe Milan Furniture Fair is a furniture fair held annually in Milan. It is the largest trade fair of its kind in the world. The show showcases the latest in furniture and design from countries around the world....
presenting Mini hot plate Mrs. Dalloway, Gorenje designed by Nika Zupanc.
2010
- Gorenje takes over Swedish appliance manufacturer Asko.
Awards
Gorenje has won numerous awards for design, ease-of-use and environmental sensitivity. Recently, these have included the Red Dot Design AwardRed dot design award
The Red Dot Design Award is an international product design prize awarded by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany. There are prize categories for product design, design agencies, and design concepts. Since 1955, designers and producers can apply for the prizes with the winners...
2005, Plus X Design Award 2006 and ICSID
ICSID
ICSID may refer to:* International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes* International Council of Societies of Industrial Design...
Design Award 2006.
Sponsorship
Gorenje is the general sponsor of Slovenian Nordic Ski Teams, the Gorenje Handball Club, the French football championship Coupe de la LigueCoupe de la Ligue
The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
, and the institution Sport & Media.