History

Innovation is, and will always be, the driving force at Electrolux. The company’s founder, Axel Wenner-Gren, was a visionary who developed products for the future. He underlined Passion for Innovation, Customer Obsession, and Drive for Results, and these comprise the core values of Electrolux operations still today.

1912 Lux I

2012 Electrolux Ultra One Mini

2014 Electrolux Ergorapido

2014 Electrolux refrigerator

Passion for Innovation

“This task is not an easy one, but one that will transform homes around the world.” Next to Wenner-Gren and his team was a basic prototype of an absorption refrigerator created by two young engineers, Baltzar von Platen and Carl Munters. Wenner-Gren believed that absorption refrigeration technology, creating cold through heat using water, had immense potential but needed to be developed further. “But the problem with this technology is that not all households have running water and every home from China to America will need a refrigeration machine.” Wenner-Gren paused, and looked at each member of the team. “That is why we are going to cool with air, because we all have access to that.” In 2014, Electrolux launched new refrigerators featuring the very best professional technology to create optimal air humidity and preserve fresh food for longer.

Importance of Design

The atmosphere in the showroom was different. The crowd was still and gathered around the latest addition to the Electrolux collection: the Model vacuum cleaner. The model designed by the internationally renowned industrial designer Lurelle Guild, was one of the first vacuum cleaners in history to be created with aesthetic appeal in mind. As cars and trains had become streamlined, Wenner-Gren saw the value in bringing a similar sleek elegance to household appliances. In fact, he had personally tracked down the foremost industrial designers, so that life for Electrolux customers would not only be cleaner and easier, but also more attractive. Looking at the Model vacuum cleaner, Wenner-Gren said to Guild: “You have given Electrolux products attractive design and perfect form.”

Modell XXX vacuum cleaner

Electrolux refrigerator

The founder of Electrolux, Axel Wenner-Gren, was a visionary who understood how to develop products for the future. He underlined Passion for Innovation, Customer Obsession, and Drive for Results, and these continue to comprise the core values of Electrolux operations.

1901 AB Lux was founded.	1919 Cooperation between AB Lux and Axel Wenner-Gren begins. The Lux I vacuum cleaner is launched.	1928 Electrolux is listed on the London Stock Exchange and on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1930.	1957 The spelling of the Group’s name is changed throughout the world from Elektrolux to Electrolux.	1984 Italian appliance manufacturer Zanussi is acquired, making Electrolux the leader in household appliances for consumers and professionals.	1986 Electrolux acquires the third largest appliance company in the US, White Consolidated, with brands such as Frigidaire, Kelvinator and Westinghouse.	1994 Appliance manufacturer AEG is acquired.	2001 The household appliance division of Australian company Email is acquired.	2011 Appliance manufacturers Olympic Group in Egypt, and CTI in Chile, are acquired. The share of the Group’s sales in growth markets increases rapidly.	2014 Electrolux signed an agreement to acquire GE Appliances, one of the leading manufacturers of kitchen and laundry equipment in the US. The acquisition is expected to be completed in 2015.

1901

AB Lux was founded.

1919

Cooperation between AB Lux and Axel Wenner-Gren begins. The Lux I vacuum cleaner is launched.

1928

Electrolux is listed on the London Stock Exchange and on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1930.

1957

The spelling of the Group’s name is changed throughout the world from Elektrolux to Electrolux.

1984

Italian appliance manufacturer Zanussi is acquired, making Electrolux the leader in household appliances for consumers and professionals.

1986

Electrolux acquires the third largest appliance company in the US, White Consolidated, with brands such as Frigidaire, Kelvinator and Westinghouse.

1994

Appliance manufacturer AEG is acquired.

2001

The household appliance division of Australian company Email is acquired.

2011

Appliance manufacturers Olympic Group in Egypt, and CTI in Chile, are acquired. The share of the Group’s sales in growth markets increases rapidly.

2014

Electrolux signed an agreement to acquire GE Appliances, one of the leading manufacturers of kitchen and laundry equipment in the US. The acquisition is expected to be completed in 2015.