Bartuf Teams up with GE Appliances UK

Bartuf Systems, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of retail display systems, has been chosen by GE Appliances as its UK production partner for a range of customisable side-by-side refrigerators.

As part of its plans to increase share of the UK market, appliance giant GE has launched a side-by-side American style fridge freezer which allows customers to design and fit their own choice of finish or photography to the doors by inserting bespoke panels.

As part of the contract, Bartuf’s specialist digital print division, Bartuf Graphics, will supply personalised PETG panels direct to the consumer to complete the look of the fridges.  The panels can be colour matched, given a personalised design or even feature a family photograph.

GE is one of the biggest companies in the world. Its consumer appliance division, worth in excess of $6bn, has a major share of the US appliance market. Despite being a global brand, the company has struggled to consistently deliver growth in the UK and last year partnered with UK appliance manufacturer Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, to increase its UK distribution.

David Garden, Commercial Manager for GE at Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, said: “GE is a premium appliance brand which prides itself on innovation.  We wanted these new side-by-sides to be completely bespoke but because of the premium nature of the product the doors had to be the same high quality as the refrigerator.  Bartuf produced an example of the kind of finish they could achieve and we were extremely impressed with the end result and the level of customer service they were able to offer.”

Terry Horscraft, Commercial Manager, Bartuf Graphics said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with GE on such an exciting new product launch as it is such a huge global brand. Our design capabilities mean that for the consumer, the sky really is the limit, and we have already created some fantastic designs that are on show in key retailers.”