Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2015 12 TRADITIONALLY ONE STEP AHEAD 330 Years of History: The Difference is Gaggenau With a pioneering history spanning more than 330 years, Gaggeanu is a brand revolutionizing the domestic kitchen. From beginnings as a metal goods company in 17th century Germany through today as the internationally acclaimed leader of professional grade home appliances, Gaggenau's success comes from their technological innovations and clean design aesthetic combined with high functionality. As a subsidiary of BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH since 1995, Gaggenau is represented in more than 50 countries, with flagship showrooms in major metropolitan areas throughout the world. 1683: Gaggenau, a small village in the Murgtal Valley, at the foot of the Black Forest—Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm von Baden (1655–1707) establishes the Gaggenau company in 1683 as a hammer mill to make nails and other household goods. 1870s: With the advance of industrialization, a new chapter in the story of "Eisenwerke Gaggenau AG" begins. Although the number of factory workers is still small, the company manufactures agricultural machinery, metal goods and tools. 1908: The product range is adapted to the new century. Gaggenau takes on a pioneering role with a range of innovative products, including coal and gas-fired stoves and even bicycles. By 1908, Gaggenau has sold a total of 250,000 "Badenia" bicycles. 1940s: In 1944, almost all its locations are destroyed by Allied bombs. Following Germany's currency reform, Gaggenau begins to produce innovative ovens that are very efficient in their use of gas and coal. Electric ovens are also manufactured for the first time, with 180 employees involved in producing the "Favorit" and "Futura" models. 1956: Georg von Blanquet becomes a driving force in the company. Inspired by his passion for cooking, he is fascinated by the then revolutionary idea of a custom-designed, built-in kitchen with sophisticated appliances in a timeless design. In the same year, the world's first built-in appliances appear – a built-in wall oven, a separate cooktop and the first ventilation appliance. 1972: Gaggenau presents the first 12-inch- wide Vario cooktops with top-mounted control knobs – a forerunner of the now classic advanced Vario cooktops series with perfectly specialized and combinable appliances. 1990: Inspired by generously- dimensioned freestanding American refrigerator-freezer combinations, the side-by-side IK 300 is launched featuring separate access to refrig- erator and freezer compartments. In addition to five climate zones and manual humidity control, the appliance boasts a clear-ice dispenser. 2014: For the first time in Gaggenau's history, two new oven series are to be released at the same time in different designs. The 400 series appliances are installed with a slight overhang while the 200 series appliances are perfectly flush-mounted. Both series equally epitomize the authentic, the uncompromising, and the extraordinary. The Gaggenau refrigeration series is the first modular system made from fully integrated built-in appliances including refrigerators, freezers, fridgefreezer combinations and wine storage units. The interiors of all appliances are fully lined in stainless steel and door bins are made from solid aluminium. The entire interior area is generous and brightly lit thanks to LED lighting pillars harmoniously integrated on the sidewall. THE CULINARY CULTURE OF GAGGENAU RO

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