for: Electrolux addisoni

The Electrolux Group is a Swedish manufacturer of home and professional appliances. According to the company, it sells more than 40 million products to customers in 150 countries annually. Electrolux products include refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners and cookers sold under brand names like Electrolux, AEG-Electrolux, Zanussi, Eureka and Frigidaire. Electrolux also makes some Kenmore Appliances for Sears.

In 2003 Electrolux began a company restructuring program throughout Europe in order to improve negative trends in operational results. Existing facilities in Western Europe were closed, while new factories in Eastern Europe were opened - despite strong EEU objections. The merits (or failings) of these business moves remain elusive. However, in 2006, Electrolux still managed to retain approx. 57,000 employees and record global sales of SEK 104 billion (about 11 billion EUR). Electrolux owns and operates 22 factories in Europe and, after Whirlpool Corp., is the world's second-largest appliance manufacturer. Electrolux had held the number-one spot prior to Whirlpool's 2006 merger with Maytag. In that same year, Electrolux spun off its lawn and garden and outdoor products division called Husqvarna AB - known in the USA as "Husqvarna Outdoors," with its Husky product line - in accordance with its restructuring plan.

Marcus Wallenberg is the chairman of the board.

Electrolux UK is the co-sponsor with Coca Cola in England's third-highest football league called Football League One.

Electrolux North America 1 launched an integrated marketing campaign for its new line of premium appliances on April 3rd, 2008. The campaign includes celebrity spokesperson Kelly Ripa.

History

Electrolux was founded in 1910 as Elektromekaniska AB, and changed its name to Elektrolux after merging with Lux AB in 1919. The merger with Lux was brokered by the Swedish entrepreneur Axel Wenner-Gren. (The direct sales division of Electrolux kept the name "Lux" and is now autonomous. 2) The legal name spelling was changed to Electrolux in 1957. The company was organized as a holding company in 1928 and during the 1970s grew rapidly under the leadership of Hans Werthén.

In North America, the Electrolux name was long used by a vacuum cleaner manufacturer, founded by a Swedish businessman who emigrated to the U.S. In 1998, that company transferred its rights to the trademark in North America to the Electrolux Group, and now operates under the name Aerus LLC. Following the return of its trademark, Electrolux of Sweden added a new line of Electrolux home appliances for sale in the U.S. and Canada.