Smeg (appliances)

Smeg, an acronym of Smalterie Metallurgiche Emiliane Guastalla (Italian for Emilian Guastalla Metallurgical Enamelling Works), is an Italian home appliance manufacturer.

History
Founded in 1948 by Vittorio Bertazzoni as an enameling and metalworking company, the company preserves the memory of its original purpose and location (Guastalla, Regio Emilia) in the name acronymised as Smeg, Smalterie Metallurgiche Emiliane Guastalla ("Emilian Metallurgical Enamelling Works Guastalla").

During the 1950s the company’s metalworking background was accompanied by the production of its first cooking appliances. In 1956, the company presented "Elisabeth", one of the first gas cookers equipped with automatic ignition, a safety valve in the oven and a cooking programmer.

In the 1960s, Smeg introduced its first washing machine, the Leda, and then the large 60 cm Niagara dishwasher, with capacity for 14 place settings.

In 1971, the company began production of built-in hobs and ovens.

Other activities
Smeg started in the residential sector, and later entered the commercial market. Smeg Foodservice manufactures appliances for the hotel, restaurant and catering market, and Smeg Instruments supplies disinfection equipment to hospitals and dental surgeries.

Business
The design and manufacture of Smeg appliances is concentrated in four factories based in Northern Italy, each specialising in a specific type of appliance. Smeg has subsidiaries worldwide, overseas offices and an extensive sales network. Smeg has developed products in collaboration with architects and designers including Guido Canali (who also designed the company headquarters in Guastalla), Mario Bellini, Renzo Piano, Marc Newson and deepdesign.

FAB 1950s-style appliances
In 1997, Smeg introduced refrigerators styled similarly to 1950s models, in several colours, with model names prefixed "FAB", and bearing the distinctive SMEG logo. The FAB line remained in production, with technically modern appliances with 1950s appearance. The FAB28 had deep curved doors and a large handle. Fridge-freezers were later introduced, with more colour options, and special editions such as a Union Jack door. In 2014 small domestic appliances such as toasters and kettles were added to the FAB 50s range.

Awards

 * 2010: Good Design Award granted by the Chicago Athenaeum, Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies, for their FP610SG oven and the P755SBL hob from the innovative Newson product line.