Candy (company)

Candy (company). Candy is an Italian manufacturer of home appliances, founded in 1945. The company is known for producing a wide range of domestic products, including washing machines, refrigerators, and cookers, and has grown through strategic acquisitions and international expansion. It became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Chinese multinational Haier in 2019, operating within the broader Haier Europe division.

History

The company was established in 1945 in Monza, Italy, by brothers Enea Fumagalli, Peppino Fumagalli, and Niso Fumagalli, initially producing weighing scales before moving into the home appliances sector. A pivotal moment came in 1954 with the launch of the "Bicimatic," one of the first semi-automatic washing machines in Europe, which established the brand in the laundry appliance market. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Candy expanded its operations across Europe, establishing subsidiaries in key markets like France, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Significant growth was achieved through the acquisition of several other European appliance brands, including Hoover's European business in 1995, the Rosieres brand, and the Kelvinator brand in the United Kingdom. In 2019, the Haier Group completed the acquisition of Candy, integrating it into its Haier Europe structure alongside other brands like Hotpoint.

Products

Candy's product portfolio encompasses a comprehensive range of major and small home appliances designed for the kitchen and laundry room. Its core offerings include automatic washing machines, condenser dryers, washer-dryer combinations, and dishwashers. For the kitchen, the company manufactures refrigerators, freezers, cookers, hobs, range hoods, and ovens. Candy also produces a line of small appliances such as espresso machines, kettles, and vacuum cleaners. The company has been involved in several notable product innovations, including early semi-automatic washing machines and the development of IoT-enabled appliances compatible with its "Simply-Fi" ecosystem for remote control via smartphones.

Operations

Candy operates primarily as a manufacturing and commercial entity within the Haier Europe business unit, with its historical headquarters and a key production facility located in Brugherio, near Milan. The company maintains a significant industrial footprint in Europe, with additional manufacturing plants in countries such as Turkey and Romania, supporting its supply chain across the European Union and other regions. Its commercial operations are organized through a network of national subsidiaries and distributors, serving markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Brugherio site also hosts one of the Haier Group's major research and development centers for home appliances in Europe, focusing on laundry technology and connected appliances.

Corporate affairs

As a subsidiary of Haier, Candy is part of a global corporate structure, with its strategic direction and financial reporting integrated into the Haier Smart Home segment. The brand is managed alongside other acquired brands within the portfolio, such as Hoover and Hotpoint, under a multi-brand strategy targeting different consumer segments in the European market. The company has engaged in various sponsorship and partnership activities, including long-term associations with the Italian Volleyball Federation and sponsorship of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. Candy's corporate identity and branding have evolved over the decades, with its logo and marketing campaigns emphasizing themes of simplicity and Italian design.

See also

* Haier * Hoover (appliances) * Hotpoint * Home appliance * Brugherio

Category:Home appliance manufacturers Category:Companies based in Lombardy Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1945