9:57:09 AM | 11/1/2023
Leading German speciality glass company SCHOTT AG today reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the Vietnam market at the SCHOTT CERAN® Vietnam Connect event held in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The company sees huge potential for its best selling glass-ceramic cooktop panels, amidst growing demand for high-quality and energy-efficient kitchen appliances in Vietnam. SCHOTT AG executives also pledged to fight against fake and substandard products that may pose health and safety risks to Vietnamese consumers.
SCHOTT CERAN® - The world’s best seller since 1971
German-based specialty glass company SCHOTT AG is the proud owner of SCHOTT CERAN® - the world’s best-selling glass-ceramic cooktop panel brand for both induction and radiant heating, even available with gas in some other markets. Since its launch in 1971, SCHOTT CERAN® glass-ceramic cooktop panels have grown to be one of the most successful products and the most known brands for SCHOTT AG. This bestseller has been sold over 200 million times in more than 150 countries around the world. With its products, SCHOTT CERAN® leads the way from gas to electric cooking, which is more sustainable and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
SCHOTT CERAN® glass-ceramic cooktop panels are made from natural materials such as quartz sand and aluminum oxide, without using any arsenic or antimony in the production process, which are harmful to the environment and human health. Since the cooking surface is only 4mm thick and heat-permeable, the heat can reach the pot or pan with little to no energy loss, resulting in shorter cooking times and up to 80% energy-efficiency.
Furthermore, SCHOTT CERAN® is designed to put up with the normal wear and tear of the kitchen and everyday cooking without aging, or losing any of its stability. If it is used and cleaned properly, it will look shiny and new, even after years of usage. This is why SCHOTT CERAN® has been the trusted by leading local induction & radiant cooktop brands such as Chefs, Rinnai, Munchen, Lorca, Kocher, Tomate, Canzy, KAFF, Dusler.
Vietnam cooktop market: Transitioning from gas to electric & the rise of hybrid cooktops
SCHOTT AG sees Vietnam as a potential market for its SCHOTT CERAN® product line. Vietnam is undergoing a significant transition from gas cooking to electric cooking, and consumers are increasingly on the look out for high-quality and energy-efficient kitchen appliances.
“Vietnam is a promising market for glass-ceramic cooktops – established, innovative and on the highest quality level”, explained Christiane Donndorf, SCHOTT CERAN® Senior Project Lead Marketing Asia. “Vietnamese homecooks value nutritious meals for their loved ones, but they also face time constraints for cooking and cleaning. They need cooktops that are durable, energy efficient, and easy to use. As such, quality and convenience are two key factors in the buying process”.
“Another interesting feature of the Vietnamese market is the popularity of hybrid cooktops, which combine induction and radiant heating. This is quite different from other markets in the region, where single-technology cooktops are more dominant, added Christiane Donndorf. “For that reason, SCHOTT AG is working closely with our Vietnamese partners in order to develop and offer the best glass-ceramic which best fits the requirements and needs of the Vietnamese market”.
Influx of fake cooktops hurting consumers and local brands
At the present, a number of fake SCHOTT CERAN® cooktop products are on sale in Vietnam at a bargain price. These low-quality imitations have poor resistance to heat and mechanical stress, which means they perform poorly and break down easily. Consumers can spot these fake products by looking for defects such as bubbles, inclusions, and scratches on the surface, as well as variations of the SCHOTT CERAN® logo.
SCHOTT CERAN® is a registered and protected trademark in Vietnam. The company’s legal team actively monitors and addresses any trademark abuse or infringement, in cooperation with Vietnamese authorities. To combat fake products, SCHOTT AG recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Directorate of Market Surveillance (DMS). As part of the MOU, DMS will share information on policies and regulations, while SCHOTT AG will assist in the investigation and handling of violations to improve efficiency of anti-fake campaigns. Moreover, SCHOTT AG regularly conducts training workshops for DMS officials to help them distinguish between genuine and fake SCHOTT CERAN® products.
Speaking at the SCHOTT CERAN® Connect event, Ms. Dzung Pham, Special Counsel of Baker McKenzie Vietnam (BMVN) stated: “Counterfeit SCHOTT CERAN® products not only harm the reputation and innovation SCHOTT AG and leading Vietnamese cooktop brands, but also pose a serious risk to the health and safety of Vietnamese consumers.
As the legal representative for SCHOTT AG in Vietnam, BMVN will continue to work closely with SCHOTT AG and the Vietnamese authorities to enforce the trademark rights of SCHOTT and to combat any infringement or abuse.”
SCHOTT AG is committed to working closely with DMS and other Vietnamese authorities to combat fake products and the associated risks that it poses to Vietnamese consumers,” said Katja Dybowski, Director Sales CERAN® ASIA at SCHOTT AG. “We will also work to raise awareness among Vietnamese consumers about the dangers of fake products and encourage them to choose only genuine SCHOTT CERAN® cooktops that are certified by SCHOTT AG and its local partners”.
SCHOTT CERAN® has been doing business in Vietnam for over 10 years, and has been consistently recording double digit growth rate annually. The company is collaborating with its Vietnamese partners to bring the latest innovations to Vietnamese consumers, such as integrating new design, colors, and features to induction and radiant cooktops.
“Vietnam is one of the key emerging markets for SCHOTT AG in Asia, and we are committed to providing high-quality, durable, and efficient cooktops that meet the needs and preferences of Vietnamese consumers. Our ultimate goal is to help aspiring Vietnamese homecooks rediscover the joy of cooking in a safe and enjoyable manner”, affirmed Katja Dybowski.
T.H (Vietnam Business Forum)