Stoves and Belling, two iconic British brands, share a long history of producing trusted kitchen appliances and have been renowned for being a UK manufacturer. This year marks a new chapter for owners GDHA, however, as they begin to release some exciting new products and make the move overseas for the production of these new appliances.

In this blog post, we will explore the latest offerings from Stoves and Belling, the rationale behind their decision to relocate manufacturing operations to China, and what this shift means for both the brands and their customers.

 

History

The Glen Dimplex Home Appliance (GDHA) business has a history of almost 100 years, and is known for its market-leading domestic appliances. It is part of the Glen Dimplex group, an international manufacturing and solutions group that specialises in low carbon electric heating and ventilation, precision cooling, flame and consumer appliances. Producing appliances under brands such as Belling, Stoves and Britannia, GDHA has designed and manufactured in the UK and worked with overseas suppliers to bring innovative products to the UK.

Their story first began with the establishment of Glen Electric in Newry, Northern Ireland, in 1973. Founded by Martin Naughton and four colleagues, the company quickly made its mark and negotiated the acquisition of Dimplex within four years. Dimplex, at the time, was eight times the size of Glen Electric - today they work together across 20 countries and are one of the world's leading manufacturers of electric heating products whilst also producing a wide range of domestic appliances.

The Shift To China: Why Now?

In recent years, a growing number of appliance manufacturers have made the decision to move production of their goods abroad, driven by a combination of cost factors, supply chain issues and the global economic climate. One of the latest developments in this trend is Stoves and Belling, well-known for being British brands. This decision, while not unusual, raises important questions about the future of British-made appliances, consumer expectations and the broader implications for the industry. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been serious disruptions in supply chains and increasing demand for faster, more efficient product processes. As a result, Stoves and Belling are now turning to China for its well-established infrastructure, highly skilled labour and the ability to produce at scale. 

For consumers, and for ourselves as a retailer, the move of production to China is likely to provoke mixed reactions. Many UK customers may feel a sense of nostalgia and disappointment at the thought of an iconic British brand manufacturing its products abroad. After all, both Stoves and Belling's range cookers have been a staple in British kitchens for over a century. However, others may find that the move results in lower prices and faster availability of products, and in terms of today's economy the affordability of range cookers could become a more significant factor than the origin of the production. 

The efficiency of production in China is one to note, with the ability to get concepts to production in minimal time. Benefitting from state-of-the-art production technology, and a much higher production capacity than at the UK factory, means the potential for a much more efficient manufacturing process. The rationalisation of what was, at times, an overly populated collection of products (e.g. three control types available on all induction models in the past) also means the potential to introduce new technology on products a lot more readily, with a focus on the quality of the products rather than the quantity.

Overall, the move to China is a significant moment for both the brand and the appliance manufacturing industry. It is an opportunity for both Stoves and Belling to continue offering quality cookers at a competitive price, meeting the needs of a global marketplace.

 

A preview of what is to come...

Stoves

Richmond 100DF

The Richmond models blend traditional style and modern functionality together and, having been a popular style for many years, it is a design that has been kept within Stoves' plans for the future. Designed to fit seamlessly into any kitchen, it incorporates four ovens for plenty of cooking capacity, plus seven gas burners on top.

Out of these four ovens includes a multifunctional main oven, with 13 settings such as Rapid Pre-Heat and AirFry. A second conventional oven, a slow cook oven and a fanned oven make up the rest of the cavities. On the hob are burners of various sizes, including a high-powered 4kW PowerWok™️ burner, which is ideal for wok cooking and larger pans.

A TrueTemp digital thermostat offers precise control, with temperature adjustments possible in five-degree increments for accurate cooking. Furthermore, the cooker is equipped with Maxi-Grill™️ and Pro-Trac™️ telescopic sliders, which enable smooth access to any dishes inside.

To assist in efficient and thorough cleaning of the model, it includes easy-clean enamel and SteamCleanse features, which use steam for natural cleansing.

 

Richmond 60DF

All the benefits of its larger sibling, but in a compact size. This 60cm model includes two ovens, with independent temperatures, providing double the cooking space. On top is a four-burner gas hob with the popular 4kW PowerWok™️ burner.

A 13-setting multifunction main oven, with rapid pre-heat, includes the all new AirFry function and tray. Just like the larger models, this cooker also includes the easy-clean enamel and SteamCleanse features inside.

A new feature to this model, and one that may be seen by some as an advantage although a more traditional feature, is the cast aluminium lid. Allowing you to shut away your gas burners and create a more streamlined appearance with the rest of your worktops, this feature is often referred to as a thing from the past but may equally please some.

 

Belling

Farmhouse 90DF
The Belling Farmhouse collection brings a similar traditional styling with the more modern technology, capturing the charm of a classic range cooker whilst bringing it up to date with the current needs of many.

With two ovens and a separate grill, it offers a combined cooking capacity of 174 litres. The tall, fanned oven on the right ensures even cooking and the main oven's AirFry function, along with a handy AirFry tray, makes healthier cooking convenient and accessible.

On top you'll find five gas burners, among them a powerful 4kW wok burner, plus cast iron Pansure supports that offer stability for various cookware sizes. The easy-clean enamel surfaces create simpler cleaning, whilst the separate electric grill offers a variable heat option, adding to the versatility of the appliance. The Maxi-Clock programmer allows for precise cooking management and a Slow Cook function supports lower-temperature cooking.

 

Cookcentre 100EI

This versatile and efficient electric range cooker features two ovens and a separate grill much like the Farmhouse model, however the Cookcentre collection brings a much more sleek and contemporary design.

The fanned main electric oven ensures even heat distribution and includes convenient features like AirFry, while the conventional second oven and variable electric grill provides additional flexibility. Features such as the Maxi-Clock programmer and easy clean enamel add to its practicality and precision.

This model is equipped with the latest of Belling's induction technology, with five zones that heat pans directly for faster, safer cooking. A bridging zone allows two cooking zones to combine into a larger area, ideal for any larger pans or griddles.

Both Stoves and Belling's products are covered by a three-year parts and labour warranty, reassuring customers of its durability and reliable performance and giving peace of mind when making the decision to choose these new products.

 

These new products will undoubtably add a fresh perspective to the Stoves and Belling brands and their production move. The team here at Rangecookers.co.uk look forward to seeing the reaction as we begin to add these updated appliances to our website - take a look here.