Retail Observer

SEPTEMBER 2020 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 17 Galanz Americas, a leading global home appliance manu- facturer, today announced its entry into the major appliance market with the unveiling of its thoughtfully engineered new product line specifically for urban kitchen spaces. "City Living" appliances meet the need for consumers with smaller kitchens looking for beautiful high-performance designs that are compact and affordable. The new City Living line is currently available through Almo Corporation. The new 2020 City Living brand launch includes 24" bottom and top mount refrigerators, 24" and 18" dishwashers, 24" wall ovens, 24" over the range microwaves, 24" gas and electric convection ranges, 24" gas cooktops, and 24" vent hoods. Additional products being launched in 2020 include 30" refrigerators, an extensive assortment of OTR microwave ovens, 24" laundry, chest and upright freezers, wine and beverage centers and more. Almo is the official distributor partner reaching the independent dealers and retailers across the United States. "2020 is the year that we've spent more time than we ever have in our living spaces so it's inevitable that we'd want to make them as functional and beautiful as possible," said Jack Halperin, senior vice president, dealer channel division, Almo Corporation. "We expect our nationwide dealer base to benefit from the City Living products, particularly for their urban-residing customers. This line includes step-up features that are traditionally absent from this emerging business segment." Halperin continued, "Galanz has maintained a solid heritage in manufacturing home appliances on a global scale. These thoughtfully engineered, smaller-space designs are a powerful complement to Almo's current appliance offering." "This launch gives us the ability to bring the unique design and trusted quality that Galanz is known for into the major appliances category," said David Geyer, director of marketing and brand management, Galanz Americas. "City dwellers and those with smaller kitchens can now enjoy beautiful appliances with great features at affordable prices." Galanz is a leading global home appliances manufacturer of a range of products, including microwave ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, laundry, air conditioners, toaster ovens, and more. For decades, Galanz has been at the forefront of appliance invention, with more than 1,600 patents and product partnerships with some of the U.S.A.'s most recognized and trusted brands. Galanz designs appliances with thoughtful engineering for the home and will continue to innovate to create efficient, depend- able and great products that consumers love. Galanz's U.S. headquarters is in Ridgefield Park, NJ. Please visit our website at www.galanzamericas.com. PLUM APPOINTS MICHAEL TRAUB AS CEO Former CEO of Serta Simmons Bedding (owner of Tuft & Needle) and BSH North America CEO joins Plum to drive global expansion Plum Inc., the creator of the first fully automated appliance that is transforming wine by the glass in homes and hotel rooms, announced that Michael Traub has been named CEO of Plum, effective today. Founder and current CEO David Koretz will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board and will move to the newly created Chief Product Officer role. "Plum is on a high-growth trajectory and Michael is the right person to lead Plum into the future. We've already benefited from his deep industry knowledge and experience running multi-billion- dollar businesses since he joined our board," said Koretz. "Michael has an impressive background in the consumer durables sector and appliance industry; and, I am really excited to partner with him to drive this next round of growth." Traub is a seasoned executive with decades of global experience across sales, marketing, manufacturing, distribution, and finance in the consumer durables and home appliance industries. Traub is the former CEO of Serta Simmons Bedding, the leading bedding manufacturer in North America, where he orchestrated the merger with direct-to- consumer mattress brand, Tuft & Needle. During his leadership

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