Once in a while, we still see vestiges of American manufacturing excellence, like Viking Appliances. Few companies match the status or quality of Viking stoves. While so many companies manufacture overseas and import goods, Viking is nevertheless depending within the US. Viking products may go for a bit more cash today than its counterparts, but you will know where that money went.
Viking Appliances are an old school success story
Viking Appliances got its start when founder Fred Carl was building a home, and his wife desired a commercial style range stove and oven, as outlined by 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, Carl had to design a commercial style range that was practical and safe for use in a home. No one else was making one, so he would create one.
Viking raids kitchens
After years of perfecting the design, Fred Carl finally had a design approved, and production started by January of 1987. . After going through a number of factory location, a permanent facility was opened in Greenwood, Miss. , the hometown of Fred Carl. Viking Appliances are now sold in a lot more than 80 countries, and the products are top shelf in range ovens and stoves, ventilation, refrigerators, outdoor grills and high end cutlery, just to cover the tip of the iceberg.
Viking struggles to adapt
Many manufacturing sectors within the United States have struggled in the last few decades, and Viking Appliances is no exception. They aren’t in imminent danger, but there has been ill effects. They aren’t exactly bleeding money like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but there have been losses due to drops in demand, as outlined by MSNBC . Output is about half of what it was in 2005, but the company doesn’t release detailed financial data. Viking Appliances and companies like it are rare optimistic examples of American companies. Let’s hope they can stick around for a lot longer.
Sources
Viking Site
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/
