First 'made in Britain' washing machines for a decade start production

Washing machines are about to roll off British production lines for the first time in almost a decade. Family business Ebac is to launch its new range of washing machines in the spring of 2015 and is currently testing 12 variations at its County Durham base.

Boss Pamela Petty, who took over from her father as managing director 11 years ago, has invested �7m in the project, which is set to drive up revenues at the �15m business more than threefold. �We�ve been working on this for five years,� she says. �People thought we were bonkers for doing it.�

The new washing machines will be assembled in the North East, using British-made components, and most of the metal bashing will take place in the Ebac factory, creating 200 jobs.

According to Petty, British craftmanship will give the products the edge over other brands. �If we�re buying in the plastic granules and doing our own injection moulding, it�s cheaper than the cost of dealing with poor quality parts,� she says.

Manufacturing in the UK also drastically cuts logistics costs, she claims. �It might be cheaper to make washing machines in Turkey, but when you look at the cost of transporting them here afterwards, it�s more than my additional labour costs,� she says.
�We�re not just doing this to say that the machines are made in Britain. It makes sense for the business.�

Ebac, which was founded in 1972 by John Elliot, is one of the world�s most successful makers of dehumidifiers and water coolers. Chinese rivals began to undercut the firm�s prices in the 1990s, eroding market share and cutting sales.

�The business wasn�t in great shape when I took over,� says Petty. �The floodgates had opened in China and cheaper, mass-produced imports were coming into Europe. We took a hit.�

Petty downsized the business �significantly� to cut costs: �I started out by hunting for people�s 'bottom drawer� systems,� she says. �Those are the habits that people have that don�t add value like processing orders on paper. These days, you don�t fill out a form on the shop floor, you use your tablet.�

To ensure Ebac�s survival, she decided to diversify into new revenue streams. �We originally looked at fridge freezers because they use the same heat exchange technology that we already use at Ebac. We were already dominant in some niche markets so we wanted to attack a more mainstream one, where we could just slip in relatively unnoticed and build market share.

"In a bigger market, you�re less affected by new entrants; in dehumidifiers, each new challenger has a bigger impact.�

But the cost of upgrading the factory to make fridge freezers was punitive. Each variant needs a different production line, costing �2m to �3m. Petty had to go back to the drawing board.

Washing machines were an unlikely choice, because they do not use Ebac�s heat exchange technology. However, the manufacturing model was attractive.

�With a washing machine, a single production line can make 200 different variants,� she says. �It cost us �5m to build but gave us much more flexibility for a smaller outlay.�

Petty began doing extensive research into the marketplace. �I wanted to create a range of washing machines that dealt with all those annoying things that people just accept as part of washing clothes,� she says.

�I�m a woman, so I see these things. Most designers in this industry are male. They just want to use more clever technology, but I focused on making the wash quicker, easier and giving customers cleaner clothes.�

One innovation Petty is bringing back is the �hot fill� wash. This technology has almost died out in modern washing machines. With hot fill, the washing machine uses the same water that comes out of the hot tap. This can reduce energy costs, and also shaves time off the washing cycle as the water does not have to be heated by the machine.

�Hot fill is a very British thing,� she says. �They don�t have it on the Continent because many hot countries don�t keep hot water.�

Hot fill is one of a range of options Ebac is offering. �We have built flexibility into our manufacturing process so we can do small batches and see what sells best,� says Petty.

Washing machines have become an obsession for Petty. �People stopped inviting me to dinner because all I would do is ask people how they washed their clothes,� she says, laughing.

She canvassed opinions from consumers across the UK. More than 2,000 used an Ebac questionnaire to build their perfect washing machine.

�That gave me the idea of offering a customised washing machine option,� says Petty, who offers polka dot and Burberry-patterned machines through Ebac. �If people want their ideal machine, we can recommend the closest match or say, if you want this exact model, we can build it for you but it will take a few weeks.�

Some 3m washing machines are sold in the UK each year. Ebac is hoping to sell 150,000 in 2015 through its website and high street retailers. �That�s not over-stretching ourselves,� says Petty.

Petty started working in the family business in 1986 when she was just 18. �I started as a payroll clerk,� she says. �It was always dad�s intention to have me start at the bottom.

�When you�re a small business owner you do all the jobs in the business. �He wanted to make sure I got that level of perspective, even though it was a much bigger business when I joined.�

Ebac has now introduced a range of air-source heat pumps, and a hot tap, which provides instant hot water. �In three years, we�ll be a �50m turnover business,� says Petty. �All of our products are working now. I just need to start selling them.�

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Post# 785784 9/26/2014 at 10:11 (3,493 days old) by AquaCycle (West Yorkshire, UK)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Washing machines are about to roll off British production lines for the first time in almost a decade. Family business Ebac is to launch its new range of washing machines in the spring of 2015 and is currently testing 12 variations at its County Durham base. Boss Pamela Petty, who took over from her father as managing director 11 years ago, has invested �7m in the project, which is set to drive up revenues at the �15m business more than threefold. �We�ve been working on this for five years,� she says. �People thought we were bonkers for doing it.� The new washing machines will be assembled in the North East, using British-made components, and most of the metal bashing will take place in the Ebac factory, creating 200 jobs. According to Petty, British craftmanship will give the products the edge over other brands. �If we�re buying in the plastic granules and doing our own injection moulding, it�s cheaper than the cost of dealing with poor quality parts,� she says. Manufacturing in the UK also drastically cuts logistics costs, she claims. �It might be cheaper to make washing machines in Turkey, but when you look at the cost of transporting them here afterwards, it�s more than my additional labour costs,� she says. �We�re not just doing this to say that the machines are made in Britain. It makes sense for the business.� Ebac, which was founded in 1972 by John Elliot, is one of the world�s most successful makers of dehumidifiers and water coolers. Chinese rivals began to undercut the firm�s prices in the 1990s, eroding market share and cutting sales. �The business wasn�t in great shape when I took over,� says Petty. �The floodgates had opened in China and cheaper, mass-produced imports were coming into Europe. We took a hit.� Petty downsized the business �significantly� to cut costs: �I started out by hunting for people�s 'bottom drawer� systems,� she says. �Those are the habits that people have that don�t add value like processing orders on paper. These days, you don�t fill out a form on the shop floor, you use your tablet.� To ensure Ebac�s survival, she decided to diversify into new revenue streams. �We originally looked at fridge freezers because they use the same heat exchange technology that we already use at Ebac. We were already dominant in some niche markets so we wanted to attack a more mainstream one, where we could just slip in relatively unnoticed and build market share. "In a bigger market, you�re less affected by new entrants; in dehumidifiers, each new challenger has a bigger impact.� But the cost of upgrading the factory to make fridge freezers was punitive. Each variant needs a different production line, costing �2m to �3m. Petty had to go back to the drawing board. Washing machines were an unlikely choice, because they do not use Ebac�s heat exchange technology. However, the manufacturing model was attractive. �With a washing machine, a single production line can make 200 different variants,� she says. �It cost us �5m to build but gave us much more flexibility for a smaller outlay.� Petty began doing extensive research into the marketplace. �I wanted to create a range of washing machines that dealt with all those annoying things that people just accept as part of washing clothes,� she says. �I�m a woman, so I see these things. Most designers in this industry are male. They just want to use more clever technology, but I focused on making the wash quicker, easier and giving customers cleaner clothes.� One innovation Petty is bringing back is the �hot fill� wash. This technology has almost died out in modern washing machines. With hot fill, the washing machine uses the same water that comes out of the hot tap. This can reduce energy costs, and also shaves time off the washing cycle as the water does not have to be heated by the machine. �Hot fill is a very British thing,� she says. �They don�t have it on the Continent because many hot countries don�t keep hot water.� Hot fill is one of a range of options Ebac is offering. �We have built flexibility into our manufacturing process so we can do small batches and see what sells best,� says Petty. Washing machines have become an obsession for Petty. �People stopped inviting me to dinner because all I would do is ask people how they washed their clothes,� she says, laughing. She canvassed opinions from consumers across the UK. More than 2,000 used an Ebac questionnaire to build their perfect washing machine. �That gave me the idea of offering a customised washing machine option,� says Petty, who offers polka dot and Burberry-patterned machines through Ebac. �If people want their ideal machine, we can recommend the closest match or say, if you want this exact model, we can build it for you but it will take a few weeks.� Some 3m washing machines are sold in the UK each year. Ebac is hoping to sell 150,000 in 2015 through its website and high street retailers. �That�s not over-stretching ourselves,� says Petty. Petty started working in the family business in 1986 when she was just 18. �I started as a payroll clerk,� she says. �It was always dad�s intention to have me start at the bottom. �When you�re a small business owner you do all the jobs in the business. �He wanted to make sure I got that level of perspective, even though it was a much bigger business when I joined.� Ebac has now introduced a range of air-source heat pumps, and a hot tap, which provides instant hot water. �In three years, we�ll be a �50m turnover business,� says Petty. �All of our products are working now. I just need to start selling them.� CLICK HERE TO GO TO AquaCycle's LINK

Post# 785793 , Reply# 1 9/26/2014 at 11:19 (3,493 days old) by JeffG ()
Checkrate/Likes I'd love to see the same initative here in the States. Cutting off trade with China (or at least imposing stiff import tariffs, to begin repairing the damage caused by trillion dollar a year trade deficits with Communists) should do the trick. "Hot fill". Since when is unadulterated hot water some kind of special feature? For any (repeat: any) washer to be sanitary is has to provide wash water that's at least 140F. Period and end of biological story. Marketeers can claim it as a "feature" all they want.

Post# 785797 , Reply# 2 9/26/2014 at 12:02 (3,493 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))
Checkrate/Likes 1 Don't forget that you talk about GB. Hot fill is actually verry rare round the EU. Washers here fill cold and heat gradually up to any temperature you want, as much as 95�C or round about 200�F. So, infact, our sanitary is better than yours, so to say. I am really interested in which features they actually offer. I remember the thread about the web site they used to gather information. Was really interesting.

Post# 785812 , Reply# 3 9/26/2014 at 14:57 (3,493 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill Home of the RailwayTrials Merseyside,UK)
Checkrate/Likes *Ebac Group* Heres the link to the Ebac Group Page producing mainly de-humidifiers since the 80`s, then they bought Norfrost Freezers and turned it round, also now sell Heat Pumps and Water Coolers, the company was made a co-operative by her founding father, in effect doing her out of what would have been an inheritance, but this way I think the dividends will be more!! CLICK HERE TO GO TO chestermikeuk's LINK

Post# 785816 , Reply# 4 9/26/2014 at 15:10 (3,493 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill Home of the RailwayTrials Merseyside,UK)
Checkrate/Likes *Ebac Washing Machines* Design your own machine and match your price to functionality... CLICK HERE TO GO TO chestermikeuk's LINK

Post# 785823 , Reply# 5 9/26/2014 at 16:22 (3,493 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)
Checkrate/Likes *Wow* How cool is that?!? Malcolm

Post# 785842 , Reply# 6 9/26/2014 at 19:19 (3,493 days old) by iej (.... )
Checkrate/Likes Hopefully she does well. I like the customisable element. There's a LOT of competition in the washing machine space these days, particularly with the arrival of Asian brands like Samsung, LG and Panasonic. Most homes here are still plumbed for hot and cold fill machines and until the mid 1990s hot fill was still very common. It seems to have disappeared as the companies standardised on cold fill. Their logic was that as the water consumption of machines is so low, the hot water in general never really even got to the drum. European machines all have a fairly powerful heater in them anyway so, as mentioned above they will wash from anything from cold to near boiling temperatures depending on what options you set. Normal washing here is: Most things 40�C (104�F) - This became the 'standard' wash temperature for the majority of washing. It's also the optimal temperature for enzyme action, which is why it's preferred. Normal "hot wash" is 60�C (140�F) - This was 'standard' in the old days for most washes. Boil-wash is 95�C (203�F) - Really only used for sterilising things - In the past it was used as part of a bleaching process with oxygen bleaches that become more reactive with higher temperatures. Some machines will hold the wash at near boiling for about an hour, so very little survives! There's some encouragement to "Turn to 30" - 30� (86�F) Almost no European machines will fill with just cold water and not heat a little bit either. Most of them will take the water temperature up to at least about 23�C to ensure detergent mixes and dissolves properly. So even our cold washes are a little bit heated.

Post# 785876 , Reply# 7 9/27/2014 at 03:42 (3,493 days old) by BoschExxcel ()
Checkrate/Likes Just built my own, it's awesome! www.ebac.com/washing-machines/cre... �575, not a bad price either seeing as I selected most of the options! Love the idea of Hot fill coming back too.

Post# 785886 , Reply# 8 9/27/2014 at 05:09 (3,493 days old) by iej (.... )
Checkrate/Likes If you've solar heating like me, hot fill makes an awful lot of sense! I'd rather use my free hot water than all this detergent-manufacturer driven low temperature washing. Although I just bought a Miele W1 WKF120 ... so, I think it'll be a while before I worry about hot fill :)

Post# 785912 , Reply# 10 9/27/2014 at 10:37 (3,492 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia )
Checkrate/Likes *Cool!* and hope it meets/exceeds their expectations. I wonder if the commercial buyers will have the same options or do they approach that differently with volume sales? Not that I'm a builder. :-) Check out that website and how easy it is to choose your own washer. View Full Size

Post# 786273 , Reply# 11 9/29/2014 at 15:41 (3,490 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)
Checkrate/Likes I want one!

Post# 786384 , Reply# 12 9/29/2014 at 22:28 (3,490 days old) by bluejay (Havre de Grace, MD)
Checkrate/Likes To echo other's sentiments: it would be nice if a US company would show this initiative. Also on my personal wish list: some style. Looking at Maytag, Frigidaire, and GE it seems that all 3, as well as many others, used to put quite a lot of thought into both function and style. Kudos to this British company; I hope they succeed, as it might start a trend!

Post# 786391 , Reply# 13 9/29/2014 at 23:00 (3,490 days old) by KenmoreBD (Mass, usa )
Checkrate/Likes That is so cool!!! -Andy

Post# 785902 , Reply# 9 9/27/2014 at 08:46 (3,492 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)
Checkrate/Likes �Hot fill is a very British thing,� she says. �They don�t have it on the Continent because many hot countries don�t keep hot water.� I wonder what mysterious European countries she is referring to ? Africa ? Just created my own dream machine for an estimated 420.- GBP only. Not bad at all, that`s just about the price range of a MOL Bosch and I opted for an expensive brushless motor. Well, it`s sort of a dream machine, as they don`t offer infinitive temp control and I don`t know if the option of an overflow protection means better than just a second pressure switch, which I wouldn`d trust in multistory apartment building. I hope they will succeed in this difficult market and spoil us with great quality for little money. The concept of individual configuration and Made in Great Britain sounds promising.

Post# 786474 , Reply# 14 9/30/2014 at 11:19 (3,489 days old) by glenfieldmathk1 (Glenfield-Leicester-UK)
Checkrate/Likes In the US you still have quite a lot of washer appliances still made there. Whereas here, we have none, hence the reason we have this brand introducing us to British once more. Personally I hate the LED Display (The LCD looks all right, and the non display looks ok too) its too cluttered, and they've copied Smeg's (and BSH Built in models) options selection, which is very confusing. Does look good, and lets hope its backed by a good guarantee.

Post# 795257 , Reply# 15 11/21/2014 at 13:22 (3,437 days old) by oliveoiltinfoil (England, UK)
Checkrate/Likes 1 UPDATE *** Production started this month. By December, they would have made their first 100 machines. They have had focus groups and surveys, as well as the website for creating the machines (mine cost �850 which I would happily pay for a British made appliance, considering I specified everything) Over 5000 people used the machine building and submitted their designed within the first 2 weeks f the website going live. They have apparently had huge support from other British entrepreneurs wishing them luck and basically saying that this will work. They have also had big support from the public and had a good response from retailers. They have made many people already wanting to place order. All of this is mentioned in the article I have linked. I am I the market for a washing machine, but contemplating on holding off until hese ecome available, although I am looking for a washer dryer. CLICK HERE TO GO TO oliveoiltinfoil's LINK

Post# 795362 , Reply# 16 11/22/2014 at 04:39 (3,437 days old) by washerman250 (BLACKPOOL united kingdom)
Checkrate/Likes *SO BUYING ONE* LOVE IT CLICKED ON LINK HAD A GO AND MADE A WASHER MY WAY