New reminder massif of products at Samsung – Echoes

The black series continues for Samsung. Still shaken by the recall and stop production of its giant phone Galaxy Note 7 after repeated problems with batteries are explosive, the giant electronics has launched a new recall campaign this time targeting… 2.8 million washing machines in the United States. The decision comes a month after the company indicated that it was in discussions with the u.s. commission in charge of consumer protection, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission). “The upper part of the washing machine can detach unexpectedly from the frame during use, posing a risk of injury, ” writes the CPSC, according to which Samsung received 733 reports of incidents involving washing machines vibrating e xcessively, or the top of which is detached. Nine reported injuries, including a fractured jaw.

Samsung has therefore decided to withdraw, “voluntarily, ” says the firm, these devices in the market, or 34 models, only washing machine top loading products between 2011 and today, and marketed in the United States. The manufacturer has not established exchange program, as had first been the case for the reminder of the Galaxy Note 7. The consumers concerned have the choice between a home repair with extension of one year warranty or a rebate on the purchase of a new device, accompanied by an additional premium if they bought a machine-Samsung.

The giant can relativize

This is not the first time that the washing machines from the Korean manufacturer are pointing the finger. Three years ago, after house fires attributed to malfunctioning of washing machine of the brand, 150.000 devices had been withdrawn from the australian market. But the timing of this new recall in the United States falls to the most evil. The misadventure of smartphones explosives has already led to a dramatic decrease of 30 % in operating profit in the third quarter, at 5,200 billion won (5.9 billion euros).

Between July and September, the branch telephony, which represents one-half of the activity, has seen his income collapse by 15 % and its operating profit, which accounted for about 40 % of that of the group, go up in smoke. The giant south Korean may, however, put into perspective. Washing machines represent only a fraction of its branch Electronique grand public, including the sale of television sets constitutes the spearhead. And this branch itself does account for a fifth of turnover and remains marginal (6 % in 2015) in terms of operating profit. It is powered for more than half of the activity of production of semi-conductors and LCD panels and OLED. The financial health of the group is not threatened. Its credibility, however, takes a new shot.

Sébastien Dumoulin, Les Echos