When it comes to our appliances or any product, more and more of us want to know who made them. We want to know what we can about the company, the parent company, and where the product is made. It has become an obsession of ours as a nation, and is there anything wrong with that?
If nothing else, it satisfies our idle curiosity and leaves us safe in the knowledge that we know where our appliances are made and who by. It allows us to make more informed choices about the products we buy.
And washing machines are no different. So we are here today to find out all we can about Kenmore and who makes them to help you make that informed decision. Just keep reading to have all your questions answered.
Is Kenmore Appliances Made by Whirlpool?
Whirlpool makes Kenmore’s electrical appliances. Kenmore, the brand of household appliances seen in and sold by Sears, doesn’t make any of their products themselves. Their appliances are produced and manufactured by other companies in the household appliance industry.
Since 2017, Kenmore has been manufactured by Whirlpool and LG, Electrolux, Panasonic, Cleva North America, and Daewoo Electronics. That’s quite a list, isn’t it? You know that you can put your faith in Kenmore with these well-known brands making the washing machines in other appliances.
Now you might have heard that Whirlpool and Sears have dissolved their relationship and how this could impact their machines. While you would be correct, in 2017, Sears and Whirlpool terminated their relationship; it has not impacted the manufacturing of Kenmore machines.
Sears and Whirlpool terminated their over a hundred-year-old agreement, where Sears will no longer sell Whirlpool and Whirlpool subsidiary-branded appliances in their stores or online.
Whirlpool will continue to supply the Kenmore appliances that they manufacture for Sears, so you don’t need to worry about hunting down your favorite washing machine.
At present, Whirlpool still makes Kenmore appliances, although this could change as time goes on. Until then, you can expect to find your favorite Kenmore washing machines on sale at Sears, and other online retailers, manufactured by Whirlpool.
You can check if Whirlpool manufactured your washing machine by entering the serial number online, you would see the full manufacturer listing and details there!
Are Kenmore and Whirlpool washers the same?
It can be easy to assume that Kenmore and Whirlpool washers will be the same considering they are manufactured by the same company, Whirlpool, but are they? Well, in some cases, yes, the machines are the same!
There are some differences between the washers depending on the make and model of the washing machine. While some machines have the same design, drum size, dimensions, and performance, there are some differences such as size, capacity, and the different types of cycles available.
The differences will vary from machine to machine, and comparisons are always handy in these instances. Many retailers will allow you to compare the machines with one another, often allowing you to rank your preferences and find the right machine for you.
Generally speaking, though, there is little difference between Kenmore and Whirlpool machines. As with most appliances, you usually pay for the brand name and any perceived prestige associated with the brand.
Especially as Whirlpool makes both it’s own and Kenmore’s machines, whichever you choose, you are sure to enjoy the same outstanding performance and features that you want from your washing machine.
Who owns Kenmore?
Sears owns the Kenmore appliance brand; Whirlpool and other appliance brands manufacture their appliances. Sears itself is part of the Transformco company that owns other companies. They repurchased Sears and Kmart in 2019 when the company was on the brink of collapse and bankruptcy.
The move saved Sears, and as an extension, Kenmore, meaning the brand remains a household name for electrical appliances. Sears’ purchase and its brands have not impacted the brands’ manufacturing process or future.
You can still expect to see Kenmore on Sears’ website and other retailers that stock them. As far as we are aware, there are no plans to interfere with Sears’ brand.
The purchase of Sears and Kenmore has ensured that 182 stores will remain in operation, saving countless jobs in the process. At present, they are operating as usual, although they may be under certain constraints due to the pandemic regarding delivery windows and store opening hours.
While Sears and Kenmore have been saved for the moment, its future remains unclear. The following year will be vital for them, especially as the pandemic continues.
We can expect further updates and potential closures depending on the next financial year and how the business performs, both online and in stores.
Until that time, the future of Sears and their brand Kenmore remains unclear, but one thing is for certain, they still have a presence as a household name.
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