Sub-Zero Freezer Company Reinvents Freshness While Redesigning Definitive Refrigerator Series

Las Vegas and Madison, WI - Sub-Zero Freezer Co., one of the industry leader in premium refrigeration and wine storage equipment, recently announced a complete overhaul of the company's popular line of design-focused, built-in models. The revamped line, which will become available May 2008, not only underscores Sub-Zero's commitment to design flexibility with new creative options, but also builds upon the company's expertise in food preservation with groundbreaking new features.

In the 1950s, Sub-Zero made an indelible stamp on the world of kitchen design by pioneering built-in refrigeration. The concept of the built-in models was designed to fit within surrounding cabinetry. Over the years, Sub- Zero has redefined built-in refrigeration to fit the changing needs of consumers. The redesigned, built-in line continues this trend.

"Throughout our 60-year history, we have continually worked to improve our products and technologies to better serve our consumers," said Jim Bakke, president and CEO of Sub-Zero Freezer Co. "The redesigned 600 Series is a testament to Sub-Zero's dedication to food preservation and design."

The heart and soul of new built-ins continues to be Sub-Zero's freshness preservation system, the foundation of which is a dual-compressor operating system, separately controlling the temperature and humidity in the refrigerator and freezer compartments, and holds preset temperatures within an exceptional plus-or-minus 1 degree. This precise, independent control of the refrigerator and freezer compartments ensures the highest air quality, and thus, fresh food and energy efficiency.

Extensive research conducted by Sub-Zero engineers shows that air quality has a huge impact on food freshness, along with humidity and temperature. To address this concern, Sub-Zero's redesigned Built-In Line will incorporate a new process to purify the air in the refrigerator.

"Now more than ever, people are conscious of eating healthier," said Michele Bedard, vice president of marketing of Sub-Zero Freezer Co. "Through focus group testing and an ongoing dialogue with our customers, we recognize the continuing lifestyle shift to local and organic food consumption. By incorporating new technologies into our Built-In Refrigerators, we are meeting these new lifestyle demands."

The entire volume of air in the refrigerator is "scrubbed" via the new system on an average of once every 20 minutes to eliminate odors, viruses, bacteria and ethylene gases that hasten ripening and, ultimately, food spoilage. The proprietary system is commercially proven through wholesale food distributors, the medical community and the wine industry.

For the first time in a refrigerator, the revamped 600 Series incorporates a water filter unlike any other. The Sub-Zero system takes filtration to a higher level by reducing viruses and bacteria that may be present from water and ice. Refrigerator water filters typically reduce chlorine and sediment, but Sub-Zero's new design goes a step further. The new microbiological water filter reduces any contaminants in household water while preserving the fresh taste of clean water and ice. Currently, Sub-Zero is the only built-in manufacturer to incorporate this type of water filtration technology.

Within the unit itself, freshness guides will be provided, giving consumers easy-access reference to proper storage techniques for fruits, vegetables and even holiday leftovers. And a second card will offer important use and care information. Sub-Zero has also authored a booklet designed to educate consumers on how to store food properly in their new built-in refrigerator. This booklet will come packed inside every unit leaving the Sub- Zero plant.

The interior of the new Built-In Line has been updated to include brighter lighting; crisper drawers with an improved glide system for easy, full extension; a more intuitive digital control panel that is easy to use; and door shelves that can be adjusted at every inch to maximize storage.

The exterior design of Sub-Zero's Built-In Line offers a complete set of design options in built-in refrigeration for all of its models. The new built- in models will be available in the following four options:

• Inset: This entirely new option allows models to be installed completely flush with surrounding cabinetry. A redesigned door hinge gives these units a smaller profile, similar to integrated models, and facilitates inset installation. Inset models will be available in classic stainless steel, platinum stainless steel, carbon stainless steel as a sales accessory, or they can be designed to be fitted with custom panels.
• Stainless Steel: This unit, which comes finished in Sub-Zero's classic stainless steel, comes out of the box and ready to complement any commercial-style kitchen. It has a new ventilation grille for a more professional look.
• Framed: This unit allows a consumer to slide a custom cabinetry panel into an existing frame so that the refrigerator door may better match the surrounding kitchen design. The new built-in models have a new extruded handle and redesigned louvered grilles.
• Overlay: This option includes the ability to incorporate cabinet panels and custom handles of the consumer's choice into the doors and grille.

"The overhaul of the new Built-In Line is not merely a new take on an old refrigerator," said Bakke. "The technologies and design capabilities this model offers are incredible and unlike anything else on the market today."

For more information regarding Sub-Zero, you can visit: http://www.subzero.com/

SOURCE: Sub-Zero Freezer Co.