Smart home appliance companies must invest in high-quality protective packaging

There comes a time in nearly every homeowner's life in a house when an appliance needs to be replaced. Perhaps the washing machine started to leak, the dishwasher is obnoxiously loud, or maybe it's just time to vamp up the kitchen with a new oven.

Whether you're in need of replacing an old household appliance or just simply looking to remodel a kitchen it's important to take into consideration both style and function. Smart home appliances often come with a hefty price tag. Homeowners are willing to pay for such items with the understanding that they'll be in the home for several years to come. When such an investment is being made, homeowners look for appliances that are high quality, long-lasting and stylish.

The evolution of smart home appliances

When smart home appliances first came on the scene, they didn't generate the kind of excitement manufacturers had hoped, IHS Markit reported. Perhaps the technology didn't impress, or maybe consumers needed a few years to warm up to the concept of connected technology filling their homes.

Regardless of what caused the slow adoption, by 2015, consumers had caught on and began to value these intelligent additions. In that year alone, 880,000 units were shipped to consumers in the Americas, and well over 2 million across Europe, Asia and Africa. IHS Markit expects 223 million units to be shipped globally in 2020.

High-tech features integrated into appliances

It's fairly safe to assume that most people have, at some point or another, arrived at the supermarket to find that the all-important grocery list had been forgotten at home. Samsung wants to ensure consumers never stop to wonder what's actually in their fridge and what needs restocking again. The company installed cameras into its Family Hub refrigerator for this very reason, Consumer Reports noted.

Beyond helpful cameras embedded in fridges, the Family Hub also has a touch screen built into the door that allows users to check their calendars or the weather, and post messages to other family members.

While families may appreciate the new functionalities of these high-tech appliances, companies need to ensure that every single piece of equipment involved in these appliances arrives in pristine condition and is working properly when installed in a home. Miniature cameras and tiny sensors need careful protection, and the touch screen planted in the middle of the door must be kept safe from scratches and marring.

Finishes must be protected

Appliances may be evolving to include high-tech features, but that doesn't mean other details are any less important. The finish of an appliance is just as critical as ever. In fact, since companies are advertising fingerprint-proof finishes and smooth exteriors, the pressure is on to ensure appliances arrive at customer homes unscathed. A scratch on the surface of a new appliance will disappoint a customer, and may cause buyers to lose trust in the company's word.

For many years, consumers were drawn to the sanitary look of stainless steel appliances. However, the industrial appearance has begun to lose its appeal and the metal's tendency to quickly become smudged and dirty-looking has turned many customers off. According to Consumer Reports, many companies are now turning to black stainless steel to draw customers back in.

"I love the look of black stainless steel and I would definitely spec it for my more modern and sleeker kitchen designs, particularly if the cabinetry is a medium or dark tone," Libby Langdon, an interior designer, told Consumer Reports.

Langdon went on to say that customers love the smudge-resistant feature many appliances are now advertising. However, companies that brag about their products' abilities to stay sleek and shiny, even after many hands have touched the surface, must make every effort to ensure these products remain in pristine condition throughout development, shipment and installation.

Protective packaging helps companies keep their promises

Investing in the right protective packaging will ensure that even the smallest details – from cameras to sensors to touch screens to surfaces – stay clean, clear and scratch-free. Pregis PolyMask™ offers companies a stress-free method to keep surfaces safe during every step of the manufacturing and delivery processes. Simple to place and easy to peel off, there's little chance of frustration when applying or removing the self-adhering protective film.

To learn about  how Pregis can help keep all components of your products – from the smallest to the largest – safe and protected, reach out to our protective packaging experts.