Kenmore (brand)
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Household appliances, cookware, floor care products, grills, HVAC systems |
| Predecessor | Sears Holdings (until 2018) |
| Founded | 1913 |
| Founder | Sears |
| Fate | Transferred to Transformco after Sears Holdings bankruptcy in 2018 |
Area served | United States, limited distribution in Canada (as of 2024) |
| Products | Household appliances, cookware, floor care products, grills, HVAC systems, electronics (HDTVs) |
| Owner | Transformco (affiliated with ESL Investments) |
| Website | www |
Kenmore represents an American brand specializing in household appliances, cookware, floor care products, grills, HVAC systems, and other domestic goods. This brand is owned and licensed by Transformco, a company affiliated with ESL Investments. Originally part of Sears Holdings, Kenmore was transferred to Transformco after Sears Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2018.
As of 2017, the production of Kenmore items has been carried out by several manufacturers, including Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, Electrolux, Panasonic, Cleva North America, and Winia Electronics. The brand's products are distributed through prominent retail channels such as Amazon, Lowe's, and Target.
History
Kenmore made its market debut in 1913 with a four-drawer drop feed sewing machine. The brand introduced its first washing machine in 1927, followed by vacuum cleaners in 1932. In 1976, Sears broadened the Kenmore range to include refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers, effectively replacing the Coldspot label.
In 2016, Kenmore ventured into consumer electronics by launching high-definition televisions under the Kenmore HDTV line and ultra-high-definition models as Kenmore Elite UHDTV. By mid-2017, Sears started offering Kenmore products on Amazon and incorporated compatibility with Amazon Alexa to enable smart home integration.
In April 2018, Edward Lampert, CEO of Sears and its principal investor, proposed acquiring Kenmore along with Sears Home Services to bolster Sears’ asset portfolio. He later adjusted this proposal in August 2018 to $400 million, excluding Home Services. Despite the uncertainty following Sears Holdings' bankruptcy filing in October 2018, the company continued retailing Kenmore products and honoring existing warranties during the restructuring process.
In December 2013, Kenmore introduced a new collection of major kitchen appliances. The subsequent month saw the brand secure an exclusive long-term distribution agreement with O'Rourke Sales Company aimed at expanding its footprint across U.S. retail outlets, rent-to-own programs, e-commerce platforms, hospitality sectors, builder markets, and military exchanges.
Canada
After the shutdown of Sears Canada, Kenmore products were no longer available for purchase within Canada; however, warranties on Whirlpool-manufactured Kenmore appliances remain valid. As of March 2020, several Canadian parts suppliers continue to stock Kenmore components, and some items have been resold through online marketplaces.
In January 2024, Kenmore announced a limited distribution of its products via Costco Canada. This move hints at potential plans to broaden availability through additional Canadian retail channels as part of a strategic effort to re-enter the Canadian market.
Manufacturers
Whirlpool served as a key manufacturer for Kenmore appliances, producing essential items such as side-by-side refrigerators, top-loading washers and dryers, and dishwashers. Nevertheless, their century-long collaboration concluded in 2017 due to disagreements over pricing that impacted competitive strategy.
Kenmore’s operational approach involves outsourcing manufacturing to multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like LG, Daewoo Electronics, and Panasonic. This diversified production strategy supports maintaining a broad product lineup across various categories.
Products
Kenmore's assortment features the premium Elite collection alongside the professional-level Kenmore Pro lineup. By January 2019, more than 50 Kenmore items had earned accolades as top-rated products from Consumer Reports, underscoring the brand's significant presence and esteem within the appliance sector.
List of common manufacturers
External links
- Articles with short description
- Home appliance brands
- Sears Holdings brands
- American companies established in 1913
- Electronics companies established in 1913
- American brands
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018
- Sears products and services
- 4
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment