Appliance Brands – Who owns who?
Students enrolled at Machineguides are instructed in the diagnosis and repair of various electrical appliances, encompassing washing machines, dryers, garbage disposals, and refrigerators. Here, they acquire the necessary skills to troubleshoot and fix devices from renowned appliance brands like KitchenAid, Frigidaire, Maytag, and Samsung.
Today’s top 5 appliance brands by volume
When you visit any showroom, you’ll likely notice that five major appliance brands stand out in the mainstream market: Whirlpool, Electrolux, GE, LG, and Samsung. These are well-known names in the industry. However, what might not be immediately apparent is which company actually owns each brand.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool stands out from its competitors in terms of the number of appliance brands it has acquired. Originally founded in 1911 as the Upton Machine Company, this Michigan-based appliance manufacturer began by producing electrically powered wringer washing machines. By 1919, Upton had merged with the Nineteen Hundred Washer Company, and shortly after, it acquired ownership of the Seeger Refrigerator Company and RCA, as reported by Success Story magazine. General Electric reacquired RCA in 1986. Presently, Whirlpool Corporation possesses brands such as Jenn-Air, Maytag, Amana, Roper, and KitchenAid.
Electrolux
For over a century, Electrolux brand appliances have been simplifying household chores. Originating in Sweden, Electrolux now oversees several appliance brands including Frigidaire, Tappan, Kelvinator, and Gibson.
In 2014, Electrolux made an attempt to acquire the General Electric appliances division for over $3 billion in cash. However, the United States Department of Justice blocked the deal citing concerns that the merger would lead to an unjust monopoly in the American household appliances market.
GE
General Electric (GE) is a multinational conglomerate known for manufacturing products across various industries such as renewable energy, aviation, healthcare, and appliances. In 2016, the appliances division of GE was acquired by the Chinese-owned company Haier. Prior to this, Haier had also acquired Fisher & Paykel, a New Zealand appliance maker, four years earlier. As part of the acquisition of GE, Haier secured the rights to utilize GE brand names until 2056. Presently, Haier produces household appliances under the brands GE, Hotpoint, Cafe, Profile, and Monogram.
LG
LG is a multinational conglomerate in the appliance manufacturing industry, which originated as the Rak-Hui (pronounced “Lucky”) Chemical Industrial Corporation in 1947. Presently, LG produces a diverse range of appliances catering to kitchen, laundry, and household needs. Additionally, LG offers air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, and LED lighting solutions among its array of products.
As long as convenience remains a priority over laborious tasks, household appliances designed for ease of use will continue to be an integral part of our daily lives. Consequently, with the existence of appliances, occasional breakdowns and subsequent repairs are inevitable. By enrolling in a one- or three-week appliance repair course, individuals can acquire the necessary skills and certifications, positioning themselves for lucrative job opportunities.
For those aspiring to establish their own business ventures, the present moment presents an opportune time to enroll in an appliance repair course at Machineguides. For further information regarding our appliance repair certificate classes, please contact us.
Samsung
While Samsung Electronics is widely recognized for its Galaxy smartphones, the Korean company also manufactures various Samsung-branded ‘smart’ household appliances, such as cooktops, refrigerators, wall ovens, microwaves, and laundry machines. Additionally, in the summer of 2016, Samsung acquired the American luxury appliance brand Dacor. Dacor, endorsed by chefs at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute in Paris, specializes in high-end appliances like refrigeration units, cooktops, and wine preservation systems. The acquisition of Dacor by Samsung Electronics, according to Investopedia, involved a purchase price of approximately $150 million, making Dacor a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung.