Once in a while, we still see vestiges of American manufacturing excellence, like Viking Appliances. Few companies can match the quality or status of Viking within the same areas. While so numerous companies manufacture overseas and import goods, Viking is nevertheless based in the US. Viking products do go for a little a lot more quick cash than some of their competitors, but it is worth the expense.
Viking Appliances – an old fashioned success
While building a home, founder Fred Carl wanted to fulfill his wife’s desire for a different kind of stove and over, according to the Viking Appliances website. She was particularly fond of the Chambers stove her mother had had, and he was drawn to the stainless steel used in professional kitchens. So he set about designing a commercial style oven that was practical and safe for the home. There wasn’t anything like it at the time, so he had to come up with it himself.
Viking raids kitchens
After years of perfecting the design, Fred Carl finally had a design approved, and production started by January of 1987. Since then, Viking Ranges have become the high end standard for kitchen appliances. After shuffling the factory around, a production facility was finally constructed in Greenwood, Miss. the town Fred Carl calls home. The business also offers high quality refrigerators, outdoor grills, cutlery, and numerous other quality products in 80 countries.
Coping with the modern environment
Viking Appliances, like many companies that manufacture their own products, have felt effects of the recession. They aren’t in imminent danger, but there has been ill effects. A recent MSNBC article about them reports they’ve had losses due to decreased demand, but not quite like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Output dropped to half of 2005 levels, though the company doesn’t disclose financial details. Companies like Viking Appliances are success stories worth hearing about and examples to hold in esteem. One would hope they can stick around for a lot longer.
Article resources
Viking Website
http://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/global/content.jsp?id=cat30019
Chambers Oven
http://www.chamberstoves.net/
MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37094337/ns/business-us_business/
