LG Electronics USA has opened its first Home Appliance Research & Development Center in the U.S. Located in Buffalo Grove, IL, the $6.5 million R&D Center will provide low-volume, high-precision product testing and consumer research.
“The Home Appliance R&D Center represents LG’s commitment to meeting the needs of its customers in the U.S., ensuring the highest degree of efficiency is met,” said Y. H. Lee, president and CEO of the LG Home Appliance Company. “The Center is a platform for LG to help assure that LG appliances meet or exceed industry standards, explore new technologies and, most importantly, drive innovation for next-generation products.”
The 30,770-sq.-ft. R&D Center has the capability of testing hundreds of appliances annually and will be the last stop before LG products begin production. The first floor of the center is dedicated to major appliance testing including refrigerators, washing machines, clothes dryers, ovens, ranges, cooktops, microwave ovens, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners. It houses testing equipment such as a climate-controlled chamber specifically designed to test refrigerator-freezers, consistent with test procedures prescribed by the U.S. Department of Energy.
A Consumer Insights Lab features a residential kitchen, laundry room and living room spaces, designed to provide consumers with hands on experiences using LG appliances. A field focus group discussion area allows consumers to share their reactions to the appliances.
The second floor offers a fully functioning video studio and residential kitchen where video content is created for consumers and service technicians. Videos include product and cooking demonstrations and lifestyle hints conducted by LG home economists and customer support technicians. The video series will be available on LG’s website. The center’s offices and administrative facilities are also on the second floor, where currently 39 employees work; LG expects to expand the staff over the next 12-18 months.
“Providing the greatest benefit and value to our customers is a key aspect of our new R&D Center,” said Heejin Lee, senior director of the Home Appliance R&D Center, LG Home Appliance Company. “By utilizing our advanced resources efficiently, we strive to develop the best products that meet the highest expectations, specific to our U.S. customers.”
The R&D Center will also test products against industry guidelines set by Underwriters Laboratory (UL), UL Environment (ULE), the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
“As part of our goal to become the most sustainable consumer products company in the world, LG worked with the Carbon Fund Foundation on carbon offsets for the Buffalo Grove facility,” said Wayne Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics USA. “We are pleased to announce the new facility has CarbonFree Partner status.”
