MAJOR HOME APPLIANCE SHIPMENTS UP IN FEBRUARY Shipments of major home appliances in February rose 9.1 pct to 3.5 mln, up from 3.2 mln a year ago, reported the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. It said year to date, total major appliance shipments rose 11.4 pct to 7.6 mln from 6.8 mln a year earlier. It said strong shipment gains in four of the five appliance categories resulted in the unprecedented monthly levels, with records set for shipments of refrigerators, automatic washers, disposers, dryers and dishwashers.