Viking introduced professional cooking to the home when its first range shipped in 1987.
Now that same good performance extends into every corner of the kitchen, even the backyard - refrigerators, wine cellars, dishwashers, grills, cookware, cutlery and small appliances.
When people think of Viking, the bold, commercial look of the Professional series range is the image that most likely pops into their heads. Features like high-performance burners, convection baking, and infrared broiling easily handle everything from crème brûlée to rack of lamb. The Viking range is available in gas and electric models, as well as an array of sizes and finishes to fit any kitchen.
And for those who want professional performance without the professional look, there is the Designer series. Clean lines and contours meld gracefully into cabinets with style, offering a new look for Viking. Fully equipped with good features and power, this complete line of built-in products does not sacrifice any of the Viking performance for fashion’s sake.
Both the Professional and Designer lines deliver good performance with a cohesive look for the kitchen. Each line offers a full range of products, so you do not have to resort to mixing and matching brands and styles.
And Viking’s ventilation systems offer a good complement to its cooking products. Viking’s assortment of refrigeration products ensure the practicing gourmet always has ample cold storage for fresh ingredients and refreshments.
Cleanup products quietly tackle the post-party chores. And Viking’s outdoor kitchen raises the art of barbecuing to new heights.
Viking not only provides everything you need to cook on, but everything you need to cook with. And Viking small appliances manage to fit professional performance onto the countertop.
The Viking production system
A range and refrigerator seem like a perfect fit in the kitchen. But beneath the stainless exterior, they do not really have much in common. So to keep up with the ever-expanding product line, Viking’s production system has had to evolve quite rapidly – mechanically and philosophically.
Adaptability and efficiency do not usually walk hand-in-hand in the traditional manufacturing world. Once the dies are cast and the machines programmed, it takes major re-tooling and re-investment to switch gears. Viking thrives on change and innovation. The manufacturing process had to remain nimble enough to respond to the never-ending brainstorms.
After experimenting with several Japanese manufacturing techniques, Viking found a like-minded company across the Pacific Ocean – Toyota. When it was a small upstart in the giant automotive industry, Toyota levelled the playing field with its incredibly efficient just-in-time method of production and inventory control.
The Toyota Production System concerns itself just as much with the mentality as the mechanics of production. They sum it up with the word kaizen, which translates into continuous improvement.
Toyota was gracious enough to share its TPS concepts with Viking. After several years of study and preparation, Viking launched its own Toyota-inspired Viking Production System. Production is set up so that if there is a problem, everyone on the line is instantly aware. And the problem is instantly solved on the plant floor. An essential facet of TPS is that problem-solving involves everyone.
The plant managers work on the floor and stay in tune with what’s happening on the line. Every worker is challenged as a crucial member of the team. And everyone works toward the same goals of efficiency and safety. Production is streamlined on a daily basis – as opposed to wasting time and money for months while maintaining the status quo.
Viking’s products are imported by Nomalon Imports.