Electrolux
Swedish multinational home appliance manufacturer specializing in refrigerators, washing machines, and kitchen appliances.
Company Type
public
Founded
1919
Headquarters
Stockholm, Sweden
Stock
NASDAQ: ELUXY
Revenue
SEK 131.3 billion (FY2025)
Employees
Approximately 45,000
Primary Market
Global
science based targetsenergy efficiencysustainable packaging
About Electrolux
Electrolux is a Swedish multinational home appliance manufacturer founded in 1919 by Axel Wenner-Gren, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Under CEO Yannick Fierling, Electrolux trades on NASDAQ (ELUXY) and is the world's second-largest home appliance manufacturer by units sold. The company reported 2025 net sales of SEK 131.282 billion and operating income of SEK 3.657 billion, with Q4 2025 net sales of SEK 35.112 billion and operating income of SEK 1.517 billion, serving global markets through brands like Frigidaire, AEG, and Zanussi.
History of Electrolux
Electrolux was founded in 1919 in Stockholm, Sweden by Axel Wenner-Gren, who merged his vacuum cleaner company with Lux AB to create Electrolux. The company's early success was built on innovative vacuum cleaners, which Wenner-Gren sold door-to-door across Europe and North America.
Electrolux expanded into refrigerators in the 1920s and became one of Europe's leading appliance manufacturers through the mid-20th century. The company pursued an aggressive international expansion strategy through acquisitions.
In 1986, Electrolux made its most significant acquisition, purchasing White Consolidated Industries, a major US appliance manufacturer, for approximately $470 million. The acquisition gave Electrolux the Frigidaire brand and a major manufacturing presence in North America.
Electrolux acquired AEG Hausgeraete (the appliance division of AEG) in 1994, adding the AEG brand and manufacturing facilities in Germany. The company also acquired Zanussi in 1984, adding an Italian appliance manufacturer with strong European distribution.
In 2014, Electrolux announced the acquisition of General Electric's appliance division for approximately $3.3 billion. However, the US Department of Justice filed suit to block the acquisition on antitrust grounds, and Electrolux abandoned the deal in 2015.
Electrolux spun off its professional appliances division as Electrolux Professional AB in March 2020, listing it as an independent company on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. The spin-off allowed Electrolux to focus on its consumer appliances business.
For full-year 2025, Electrolux reported net sales of SEK 131.3 billion and operating income of SEK 3.7 billion. The company has been navigating a challenging environment of cost inflation, weak consumer demand in Europe, and competitive pressure from Chinese appliance manufacturers.
Electrolux Sustainability & Ethics
Electrolux Group maintains comprehensive sustainability and ethics practices focused on environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance. The company's commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through ambitious climate targets, recycled materials initiatives, energy efficiency innovations, and extensive social impact programs.
Environmental Stewardship:
- **Recycled Materials Target:** Committed to using 35% recycled steel and plastic by 2030, covering more than 40% of all materials purchased
- **Carbon Emissions Reduction:** Achieved 36% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and 31% reduction in Scope 3 emissions compared to 2021
- **Renewable Energy:** 94% of electricity and 64% of total energy used in operations sourced from renewables
- **Science-Based Targets:** Set science-based targets aligned with climate action goals and carbon reduction commitments
- **Energy Efficiency Leadership:** 24% of total units sold and 33% of gross profit came from most resource-efficient products in 2024
- **Product Innovation:** Latest washing machines exceed top A energy label by up to 60%, with smart appliances consuming 28-53% less energy
- **Sustainable Design:** Focus on circular economy principles, product durability, and end-of-life recycling programs
Social Responsibility:
- **Electrolux Food Foundation:** Food Heroes initiative has engaged 81,000 children worldwide in sustainable eating programs
- **Employee Safety:** Industry-leading safety performance with Total Case Incident Rate of 0.37
- **Global Education:** Commitment to sustainability education and environmental awareness programs
- **Community Engagement:** Local community development initiatives and social impact programs across operating regions
- **Employee Development:** Training and development programs focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship
- **Supply Chain Responsibility:** Ethical sourcing practices and supplier sustainability requirements
Corporate Values:
- **Sustainability Leadership:** Recognized as industry leader in sustainable appliance manufacturing and innovation
- **Quality Excellence:** Commitment to product quality, reliability, and manufacturing standards
- **Innovation Focus:** Continuous investment in energy-efficient technologies and sustainable product design
- **Customer Centricity:** Focus on helping consumers reduce environmental impact through efficient appliances
- **Global Responsibility:** Commitment to sustainable development goals and environmental stewardship worldwide
Corporate Governance:
- **EcoVadis Gold Rating:** Placed among top 5% of more than 70,000 companies worldwide for sustainability performance
- **CDP A-Rating:** Recognized for climate action commitment and environmental transparency
- **Board Oversight:** Board-level oversight of sustainability initiatives and ESG performance
- **Stakeholder Engagement:** Regular engagement with stakeholders on sustainability and social responsibility matters
- **Transparency:** Comprehensive sustainability reporting and environmental disclosure practices
- **Ethical Leadership:** Strong commitment to ethical business practices and corporate responsibility
The company's sustainability achievements demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship while supporting customers in achieving their own sustainability goals through energy-efficient appliances and sustainable product innovations.
Awards & Recognition
Electrolux has received extensive recognition for appliance innovation, sustainability leadership, workplace quality, and design excellence across its global home appliance operations.
- **Appliance Innovation:** Recognition for energy-efficient appliances, smart home technology, and sustainable product design
- **Sustainability Leadership:** Awards for environmental initiatives, energy efficiency programs, and carbon reduction efforts
- **Design Excellence:** Multiple awards for industrial design, product aesthetics, and user experience across appliance categories
- **Workplace Excellence:** Recognition as a top employer in the manufacturing industry with safety and diversity programs
- **Brand Recognition:** Awards for brand strength and consumer trust across premium and mass-market segments
- **Quality & Reliability:** Recognition for product durability, performance excellence, and manufacturing quality standards
- **Corporate Responsibility:** Awards for social impact programs, community development initiatives, and ethical business practices
- **Energy Efficiency:** Recognition for appliance energy efficiency ratings and environmental performance standards
- **Smart Home Innovation:** Awards for connected appliance technology and IoT integration in home appliances
- **Global Leadership:** Recognition as one of the world's most sustainable appliance manufacturers and leading home appliance companies
Controversy, Regulation & Public Scrutiny
Electrolux's abandoned acquisition of GE Appliances in 2015 was a significant setback. The company had announced the acquisition in 2014 and invested significant management time and resources in the deal before the US Department of Justice blocked it on antitrust grounds. GE Appliances was subsequently sold to Haier for approximately $5.4 billion in 2016.
Electrolux has also faced scrutiny regarding labor practices at its manufacturing facilities in lower-cost countries, including allegations of inadequate wages and working conditions.
Brands Owned by Electrolux
Electrolux owns 2 brands in our database.
Electrolux Appliances
Owned by Electrolux
Swedish manufacturer of home appliances including refrigerators, washing machines, and kitchen appliances, recognized for industry-leading sustainability initiatives including a 35% recycled materials target by 2030 and significant carbon emission reductions.
applianceshome-appliancesrefrigerators
Frigidaire
Owned by Electrolux
American home appliance brand specializing in refrigerators, freezers, and kitchen appliances.
home-appliancesrefrigeratorsfreezers
Shop Electrolux Brands
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Stock Information
Electrolux Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Multi-brand portfolio spanning premium (Electrolux, AEG) and mass-market (Frigidaire, Zanussi) segments
- +Strong brand recognition in Europe and North America built over more than a century
- +Global manufacturing scale provides cost advantages
- +Wallenberg family ownership provides long-term strategic stability
- +Electrolux Professional spin-off allows focus on core consumer appliances business
Considerations
- -Intense competition from Chinese appliance manufacturers (Haier, Midea) in global markets
- -Weak consumer demand in Europe has pressured revenue and profitability
- -Cost inflation in materials and energy has squeezed margins
- -Failed GE Appliances acquisition demonstrated the difficulty of major M&A in the sector
- -Smaller scale than Samsung and LG limits R&D investment in smart home technology
Frequently Asked Questions About Electrolux
What does Electrolux own?
Electrolux owns the Electrolux, Frigidaire, AEG, and Zanussi appliance brands, along with several regional brands in Latin America and Asia Pacific. The company produces refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, vacuum cleaners, and other household appliances. Electrolux Professional (commercial appliances) was spun off as a separate listed company in 2020.
Is Electrolux publicly traded?
Yes, AB Electrolux is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under ticker ELUX B and on NASDAQ as an ADR under ticker ELUXY. The Wallenberg family, through Investor AB, holds a significant stake. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders.
Who founded Electrolux?
Electrolux was founded in 1919 in Stockholm, Sweden by Axel Wenner-Gren, who merged his vacuum cleaner company with Lux AB to create Electrolux. Wenner-Gren built the company into a leading European appliance manufacturer through innovative products and aggressive international expansion.
Where is Electrolux headquartered?
Electrolux is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Sweden, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Poland, Thailand, and other countries, and sells products in more than 120 countries worldwide.
How many brands does Electrolux own?
Electrolux owns four major appliance brands: Electrolux, Frigidaire, AEG, and Zanussi. The company also operates several regional brands in Latin America and Asia Pacific. Electrolux Professional (commercial appliances) was spun off as a separate listed company in 2020.
Who owns Electrolux?
AB Electrolux is publicly traded on Nasdaq Stockholm and NASDAQ. The Wallenberg family, through their investment company Investor AB, holds a significant stake, making them the largest single shareholder. Yannick Fierling serves as President and CEO and Staffan Bohman chairs the board.
Sources & Further Reading
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