Summary
A South American top-5 brand upgraded its gas water heater line with Greaidea's ODM solutions, launching new models, expanding rural markets, and regaining growth and distributor confidence.
How a Top 5 South American Brand Revitalized Its Gas Water Heater Line through Greaidea's ODM innovation solutions
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- Issue Time
- 2026/1/7 9:33:51
In highly competitive emerging markets, gas water heater brands are under constant pressure to evolve. Product designs age quickly, consumer expectations shift, and price competition leaves little room for error. For established brands, the real challenge is not simply launching new models, but upgrading product lines without disrupting quality, cost control, or long-term market stability. This case highlights how a top-tier home appliance brand in South America successfully revitalized its gas water heater portfolio by rethinking its manufacturing partnership—and how strategic ODM collaboration became the turning point for renewed growth.
Situation: A Leading Brand Facing Product Stagnation
The client is a Top 5 household appliance brand in a South American country, with strong brand recognition and a wide dealer network. Gas water heaters are one of its core categories, serving both urban and rural markets.
However, despite its market position, the brand faced a growing challenge:
its gas water heater product line had not been updated since 2017, this led to several structural issues:
Product designs became outdated and visually indistinguishable from competitors
Core models no longer aligned with evolving consumer expectations
Competition intensified, especially in price-sensitive rural regions
Market offerings became increasingly homogeneous, driving price wars
Although the brand had worked with its previous supplier for many years, new product development was extremely limited. The supplier lacked sufficient R&D capability, flexible manufacturing capacity, and the ability to support iterative product upgrades.
As a result, the client began losing momentum in both dealer confidence and end-market competitiveness.
Task: Upgrade the Product Line Without Increasing Risk
The client's objective was clear but challenging:
Refresh the gas water heater lineup with market-relevant models
Introduce cost-effective solutions for rural and lower-income consumers
Maintain stable quality and performance while controlling costs
Reduce dependency on outdated designs and limited suppliers
This meant the client was not simply searching for a factory to replicate existing products, but for a long-term manufacturing partner capable of supporting product strategy, ODM-based development, flexible model configuration, and stable mass production. It was at this stage that the client turned to Greaidea, an experienced ODM & OEM gas water heater manufacturer with more than 25 years of industry expertise.
Action: Market-Driven ODM Development and Product Innovation
1. In-Depth Market and Product Analysis
As a new supplier, Greaidea did not rush into quoting or tooling. Our team first conducted a comprehensive assessment of the client's brand positioning, existing product portfolio and price range, sales performance data for each region, and feedback from distributors and end users. This enabled us to identify gaps between existing products and actual market demand, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
2. Expanding the Product Line with ODM Customization
Based on this analysis, Greaidea proposed a complete ODM product expansion plan.
The client's gas water heater lineup was extended from 6L to 12L, with multiple new configurations introduced, including:
Updated exterior designs aligned with current market trends
Optimized internal structures for stable performance
Flexible component selection based on target pricing
These additions helped the brand quickly modernize its offering without disrupting its existing dealer network.
3. Developing a New Cost-Effective Model for Rural Markets
The client wanted a low-cost but reliable gas water heater specifically for rural consumers. To meet this need, Greaidea's R&D team developed a new ODM model with a simplified yet highly practical design, featuring:
Single-knob operation with four-season adjustment
Summer mode using a single-row flame, reducing gas consumption
Integrated LED temperature display for better user experience
Controlled material and component costs within the client's target range
This model delivered functional value without unnecessary complexity, allowing the client to compete effectively in price-sensitive regions while maintaining performance standards. Importantly, this was a solution their previous supplier could not provide—either technically or operationally.
Result: Market Recovery, Growth, and Stronger Brand Confidence
Following the launch of the upgraded product line, the results became both visible and measurable. The refreshed range helped the client reconnect with former dealers while attracting new distributors drawn by the broader model selection and clearer market positioning.
The newly developed rural-focused model further expanded the brand's reach, enabling penetration into price-sensitive segments without compromising performance.
As a result, sales volumes increased across multiple regions, and over time the brand steadily climbed market rankings—eventually surpassing competitors that had previously held stronger positions.
Beyond sales growth, the client also achieved stronger brand perception, improved dealer loyalty, and greater confidence in long-term product planning. What began as a change of supplier ultimately evolved into a strategic transformation of their gas water heater business.
Why This Case Matters for Global Brands
Product competitiveness does not come from copying designs—it comes from understanding markets and solving real problems. For brands operating in highly competitive and price-sensitive regions, working with experienced gas water heater ODM & OEM manufacturers like Greaidea allows product lines to better align with local market needs, accelerates product innovation and iteration, and reduces development risks while enabling sustainable long-term growth.
Looking for a Market-Fit Gas Water Heater Solution?
If your current product line is outdated, undifferentiated, or limited by supplier capability, Greaidea can help.
As a trusted ODM and OEM manufacturer of gas water heaters, we provide brands with market-oriented product development, customized product configurations, and scalable production capabilities, helping to build long-term partnerships based on mutual trust.
Contact Greaidea to discuss a tailored solution designed for your target market and growth goals.
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