Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM SEPTEMBER 2014 38 M A N U F A C T U R E R [ N O T E S ] RO A tul Vir launched his small-space appliance business more than 20 years ago in his father-in-law's garage, bringing to the North American market the convenience of washer- dryer combinations that he was used to living in an apartment in the United Kingdom. When he moved to the United States, the product – which was common in Europe – was not readily available here. As a result, his wife was spending part of her Sundays in the couple's apartment complex's coin-operated laundry. For Vir, that was the genesis for the idea to bring the washer-dryer combos to America. "I went back to Europe and got some information on it," he says. He first started a general international trading company, Equator, but moved quickly into the compact-appliance specialty when he developed a combination washer-dryer for the U.S. market. Vir says his company pioneered front- loading washers in the U.S., and his company was also a leader in developing environ- mentally friendly appliances, winning the first ENERGY STAR designation for washers. Those products found a place in the market: Montgomery Ward was the first customer, and the novel equipment was featured in Popular Science, Popular Mechanics and Fortune magazines, as well as on CBS News and Oprah, according to Vir. Recently, Vir's Equator Appliances has introduced a special combination washer-dryer unit that converts easily from vented to non- vented operation, providing flexibility and portability in a design that is well suited for today's market. It represents the sixth generation of combination washer-dryers that the company has produced – and the first that includes the option of using either fan-driven venting or water- cooled condensing for the dryer cycle, according to Vir. "The Super Combo is probably the most advanced laundry appliance in the world today," he says. Not only is it the first dryer to use two fans, but more powerful fans can be added to increase venting distance. In addition, users can pause the front-loading machine mid-cycle to load more items – the "add-a-sock" option – and the dryer can continue to make a hot revolution every five minutes to guard against wrinkles. FEATURES: • Child lock • Delay start • Self clean option • Add-a-sock option • End of cycle chime • Water saver option • Easy to open coin trap • Start / pause function • Adjustable leveling legs-4 • Easy to install – 2 shipping rods • Automatic wrinkle guard in dry cycle • Convertible venting / condensing dry • Electronic control panel with LED lights • Energy saving – auto display off after 5 min • Venting booster fan option to blow air 50 ft • Angled 45 degree door handle (reduces bending) The washer-dryer combos are compact at just 24 inches wide and run on 110-volt electricity. They can hold 13 pounds of laundry– which doesn't have to be transferred while wet. Available in white or silver, the units typically retail for $1,200 to $1,300 and come with a one-year warranty. They meet all federal energy standards for 2015 and 2018. Equator is going global with the Super Combo. Specialized versions with innovative features are available for European and Asian markets including 220V and solutions for common electric and water problems. Vir, an inventor with 16 patents for laundry technology, is a hands-on CEO and Equator is one of the few remaining independently owned manufacturers in the world. For more information visit www.EquatorAppliances.com or call (800) 935-1955. A COMBO WITH NO EQUAL Equator - the manufacturer of washer-dryer combos recently introduced a new model and is looking to grow global with features for specific markets

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