Electrolux innovation secures S.C. jobs

Electrolux has upped its investment in innovation as it looks to stay at the forefront of the household appliance industry.

The company, best known for its Electrolux, Eureka and Frigidaire brands, said it would spend $6.3 million on a state-of-the-art research and development center at an existing refrigerator facility in Anderson, S.C., where the company had already committed to spending $45 million on upgrades. The facility opened in 1988.

"Leading the way in the appliance industry through design and innovation is how we build value for consumers," said Jack Truong, president and CEO of Electrolux major appliances, North America. "With the addition of this cold technology center, Electrolux is able to not only make our business more competitive, but also continue to grow it. A center like this supports the nearly 1,900 jobs we have at the plant and positions the business to thrive in the future."

The 43,000 square-foot research and development lab houses 10 new test chambers capable of testing 40 refrigerators at one time.

According to the company, the facility will enable it to build on a legacy of innovation that has included such firsts as development of the first in-home refrigerator in 1913, the first customer adjustable temperature dial in 1929, the first refrigerator with a separate freezer compartment in 1948, the first frost proof refrigerator in 1958 and the first built-in ice and water filtration system in 1995.