Asko Domestic Appliances

The story goes that Karl-Erik Andersson, a Swedish farmer, built his first washing machine for his mother in 1950. It is said that this was due to a travelling salesman calling to sell a washing machine and young Karl told his mother that he could build something better in the farm shed come workshop, as good or better as the salesman was selling. The salesman said that he would return in a few weeks and that, if Karl could build a better washer then he'd drop trying to sell his mother one of his.

He did indeed return a few weeks later and, true to his word, Karl had indeed built a washing machine that was outstanding in performance and quality.

The salesman bought four to sell.

His invention was such a success with the local community he founded a factory on his farm and it is still there today. Known as Junga Verkstader, the company has been through several changes of ownership and names such as ABB Cylinda, Asea and finally, in 1988 Asko.

In 2000, Asko was acquired by the Antonio Merloni company of Italy.

The first automatic washer was produced in 1965 and Cylinda were years ahead in producing energy efficient machines with innovative features. The most notable feature being the lack of a conventional rubber bellows door seal as the door hinges straight on to the outer tub and is therefore part of the suspended unit, a design that endures to today as, quite simply it works and keeps on working. Asko have always produced high quality machines using stainless steel tub construction and many unique features that set them apart from other manufacturers. Asko also produce the front loading ISE10 range of washing machines and dryers for ISE.

Sadly, when being acquired by Antonio Merloni, the brand has suffered somewhat in the UK with poor promotion, lack of support to retailers and an ad hock service set up have all contributed to making an Asko washing machine a rare sight here. Business is booming in the USA however where the brand is an established high quality top end product. But there is hope as the ISE range is now available in the UK, so the UK can now have access to Asko machines.

In July 2010 Asko was purchased by Gorenje securing the future for the Asko factories and brand.

Retail Prices

Asko sells a limited range of models at around the £900 mark but not currently under the Asko brand name in the UK. The new ISE 1607W washing machine and ISE CD601W tumble dryer are both produced by ASKO in Sweden.

Spares Pricing And Aftersales Service

Spare parts are relatively low priced and available from UK Whitegoods and Connect.

Asko Service is officially not really available in the UK currently as "Authorised Asko Service" but many independent repair companies such as those on repairer search are only too happy to assist on a Asko machine. And, with the introduction of the ISE range produced by Asko more independent repairers will have access to enable better support here in the UK for Asko appliances.

Late 2010 ISE dropped all other manufacturers and moved exclusively to Asko produced machines and has announced plans to introduce more models to the UK.

Spares are usually fairly readily available and are reasonably priced (often very reasonably) in relation to the cost of these fantastic appliances.

The Asko international web site is at: www.asko.se and the askousa.com site is also informative of their products.