Shipments of appliances have set record highs.

Nearly 3.4 million major home appliances were shipped in September and 9.9 million in the third quarter to establish new shipment records for both periods, according to a report from the Assn. of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Shipments were up 3.9% in September and 2.3% in the third quarter, compared to the same 1984 periods. The records bring the industry within reach of a a new annual record, said Robert Holding, association president. Year-to-date shipments surpassed the same period last year by about 5.6%.