Antonio Merloni Domestic Appliances

Merloni's history starts at the beginning of 20th century. In the 1930's, Aristide Merloni, founder of the family, commences the production of weighing machines with about fifty employees.

Within ten years new and different opportunities appear in the world of mechanical production: in 1954, the production of LPG cylinders starts, managed by the own company COMESA.

The production of electrical house hold appliances, with ARISTON brand name which came under the control of Merloni Elettrodomestici (now known as "Indesit Company"), started in 1966.

In 1968, Dr. Antonio, one of senator Aristide's four children, establishes ARDO (Domestic Appliances), which company was exclusively created to produce washing machines and is often referred to in the industry as ARDO Merloni. The factory "Santa Maria", in Fabriano, becomes the main production facility at the time.

In 1970, when the Senator passed away due to a car accident, a series of large reorganisations and changes were made inside the company. In 1974, it is alleged that a family feud caused the splitting into two completely separated groups, Merloni Elettrodomestici (now "Indesit Company"), run by three brothers and ICEM owned 100% by Antonio Merloni.

The first main step of this new company is the merging with COMESA, attaining, in 1976, the world leadership in the production of LPG cylinders.

In 1982, ICEM merges with ARDO, the two companies, together, constitute A. Merloni. Keeping completely separate the business from his brothers of Merloni Elettrodomestici, the Antonio Merloni begins to work exclusively for third parties, becoming a specialist in the production of "own label" white goods under direct control of Dr. Antonio.

Also, during the 80's two new activities start at Gaifana factory in Umbria: the production of refrigerators and freezers in 1984 and later dishwashers and tumble dryers.

In 1990 the company changes the firm's name Antonio Merloni S.r.l. (name acquired in 1989) to Antonio Merloni S.p.A. During this same year it gives way to a profitable and productive process of "Europeanization".

The expansion starts with the purchase of commercial entities in Spain and Holland, then, the acquisition of 100% of the English commercial company Servis Ltd. In 1991 follows EBD (now called EFS) in Germany and Podium (now called Podium-Sogedis) in France allowing to enter into the foreign markets with well known and famous local brands.

In 1995 Antonio Merloni S.p.A. purchased Tecnogas S.P.A. that produces and markets ovens and cookers with their own name. Today Tecnogas is a leader in the Italian market for the production of free standing cookers with approx. 16% market share.

In 1996 takes place another important acquisition: Domar S.A., Spanish company with an autonomous production unit of front loading washing machines, who has approx. 6% of the local market.

In 2000, Antonio Merloni S.p.A. purchases ASKO group, leader in the marketing of house hold appliances in north Europe. The group has affiliates also in U.S.A. and in Australia, and the brand name is positioned in the high level sector of the market.

In 2002 the acquisition of brand Atlantic, from Euronics group, and in 2003, the conclusion of a commercial deal with International for using, exclusively to the Italian market, the brand Philco.

Antonio Merloni S.p.A. has reached the fifth place in Europe for the production of house hold appliances.

Retail Prices

A Merloni has traditionally dominated the lower end of the market and are in fact often cited, along with Merloni, Indesit Company as the prime suspects for both the downturn in product quality and price across the entire industry. Both introduced low cost appliances to get a foothold inthe industry upon introduction into the UK.

As you can see the company operates with many names and also produces for a host of brands in the UK including:

• ASKO
• Servis
• Hygena
• Diplomat
• Electra
• Whirlpool
• Caravelle
• Erwin Bonn
• Ignis
• Homark
• Powerpoint
• Proline

There are more besides these brands that have been sold in the UK.

Aftersales & Spares Pricing

Usually the service responsibility for any machines sold by A Merloni is wholly owned by the brand owner and there is no service provision offered for any of the brands other than those actually owned by A Merloni themselves.

Spares can be cheap on some brands, Hygena and Diplomat for example are usually reasonable prices for both service and spares and yet Servis, owned by A Merloni, spare parts and service prices can be nothing short of ludicrous. Some single spare parts on that one brand can cost as much as the actual appliance was to buy in the first place.

Thankfully we can cross reference alot of the spares and, in many cases, save a considerable amount of money on many parts.

Service is generally not a problem from the independent repairers as there are so many of these machines out there in the field. That said, please do bear in mind that some spares are very expensive and this can make servicing costs look prohibitive.