Radio and Television Today (Jan-Nov 1941)

REFRIGS. MAKE NEWS Sharp Uptrend in Sales of New Units Volume in sales of refrigerators continues extra strong, as new monthly totals are reported in the industry. The total of sales from 12 manufacturers to distributors and dealers in February was 333,335 for that month this year, compared with 261,328 for the same period last year, an increase of about 28 per cent. These are NEMA figures. From individual companies comes news of exceptional increases in refrigerator sales. The latest check at Crosley Corp. shows that orders already amount to 52 per cent as many units as were shipped during the whole year of 1940. February volume was 125 per cent over the business last year. GAINS GALORE Kelvinator reveals "carload orders from retailers running more than double those of a year ago" at the same time announcing a big Spring sales drive on the new lines. Norge has reported a 40 per cent jump in volume for January and February, and notes a strong trend toward higher priced models. Philco had already reported spectacular gains in refrigerator orders, with emphasis on Advance Design Units, even before the big "3-way" sales plan was launched. Reports from the American Washer & Ironer Manufacturers' Association show that shipments of household washer and ironer units in February broke all records for the month. A total of 155,318 washers went out during that month, an increase of nearly 10 per cent over a year ago. Above is the kitchen radio which now goes along with Philco "super-quality" refrigerators. The radio-clock below is for buyers of "Advance Design" units. This is the new Kelvinator C-6 at $124.95, one of two new units just added to the line to strengthen the firm's step-up selling plans. Refrigerator List Prices Jump $5 Increases in the list prices of 1941 refrigerators have been announced by two of the major manufacturers. A boost of $5 in the suggested retail prices of five of the eight Kelvinator models, and four of the seven Leonard units, came from the Kelvinator Division of Nash-Kelvinator Corp., Detroit. The Kelvinator M-8 job, and the Leonard LH-8 were increased $10. Prices for the six Kelvinator "sixes" now range from $119.75 to $179.95; the two "eights" are tagged at $179.95 and $219.95. The Hotpoint refrigeration manager, F. B. Williams, cited "increased manufacturering costs" as the reason for the firm's blanket increase of $5 in list prices. There are 15 units in Hotpoint's line for 1941. Consumer Dividends Ready for Philco Refrig. Buyers Three new merchandise bonuses are now available for Philco dealers to give their customers, as a part of a big 3-way sales plan announced by Philco at regional meetings in Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Memphis and Atlanta. Philco dealers will now present a water-chiller to all customers who come in for a refrigerator demonstration; those buying "super-quality" boxes will be given a $20 kitchen radio, and those purchasing "Advance Design" units will get a $30 kitchen-radio-clock. These premium jobs are not generally available to the public. The drive is supported by extra advertising, consumer materials, displays and literature for the dealers, etc. Also shown by Philco at the meetings were four new air conditioning units, featuring enlarged capacities and new cabinet styling. The three window units start at $129.50 and go to $259.50 for a job that handles rooms about 20 x 20 ft. The advertising leader, Model 41, comes in a handsome walnut wood cabinet, easily installed, no plumbing or watering. The big unit, 91A, is a console job for larger rooms, with special adjustable center grille, $375. With an elaborate line of displays, sales aids, consumer and dealer literature, prospect-pamphlets, counter-cards, etc., all prepared, the Philco campaign on these units will take the form of an intensive advertising campaign and the most comprehensive direct mail campaign undertaken by anyone in the industry. Air Conditioners on GE Assembly Line Manufacture of room coolers and console model room air conditioners at the General Electric plant at Bloomfield, N. J., is now in the "mass production" stage, in anticipation of the big summer selling season. Assemblyline methods were recently adopted, to put the AC units into the automobile class, and to increase the production pace. In the GE air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration department, it has been announced by sales manager Elliott Harrington that Paul M. Horen has been appointed eastern field supervisor, and Dorcey F. Hines, western field supervisor. Both will work under E. B. McClelland, assistant sales manager, in charge of field operations. ■*s A new visualizer for features of Hotpoint refrigerators. Spin the dial, and they appear in top space. A sales aid that sticks to your refrigerator doors. Steinke in the Army The well known sales promotion manager of Crosley Corp.'s refrigeration division, Truman Steinke, now has a year's leave of absence from Crosley and starts selective service army training at Camp Shelby, Miss. 22 RADIO TODAY