Korea’s third-largest home appliance maker Dongbu Daewoo Electronics has been stepping up efforts in global markets.

The Korean firm held a launch event for its latest home appliances, including refrigerators and front-load washers, in Madrid, Spain last month.

A fridge with a freezer on the top and a refrigeration compartment on the bottom especially attracted attention from Spanish consumers at the event, according to a Dongbu Daewoo official.

The “top-mount freezer,” or TMF, refrigerator also has a space, called the “dairy pocket,” to store fresh dairy products and beverages, and a container, called the “moisture zone,” to keep fruits and vegetables fresh. Another appliance that drew attention was a French-door fridge fitted with a water and ice dispenser, and with a water tank installed inside the refrigeration compartment. A commercial microwave with a 29-liter capacity was also popular.

Since first rolling out its products in 1992 in Spain, the Korean firm has been vying with global competitors Bosch and Electrolux to maintain the third spot in terms of sales in the Spanish market. The firm did not elaborate on exact sales figures.

“Dongbu Daewoo will try to roll out practical products that can appeal to local consumers and to build trust with buyers it the Spanish market,” said Kim Bong-geun, chief of Dongboo Daewoo Electronics’ Spanish branch.

In order to jump on the Internet of Things bandwagon, Dongbu Daewoo is looking into producing connected devices. It is working with Korean mobile carrier SK Telecom to develop electronics products that can run on its telecommunications network.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)