Magic Chef
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Home appliances |
| Predecessor | American Stove Company |
| Founded | 1850s |
| Founder | John Ringen, George August Kahle, Charles Stockstrom, Louis Stockstrom |
| Headquarters | St. Louis , United States |
| Products | Gas stoves, home heating furnaces, air conditioning units, small appliances |
| Owner | CNA International Inc. |
Magic Chef, Inc.—originally known as the American Stove Company—is an appliance label currently owned by CNA International Inc.
St. Louis beginnings
During the 1850s, German immigrant John Ringen opened a tin shop in St. Louis, Missouri, which later broadened its offerings to include household goods, early washing machines, and "quick meals" cooking stoves. In 1870, he joined forces with fellow German immigrant George August Kahle. By 1881, Kahle brought in his brothers-in-law, Charles and Louis Stockstrom, to begin stove manufacturing. Together, these four individuals established two companies: Quick Meal Stove Company and Ringen Stove Company.
American Stove Company and emergence of Magic Chef
While Quick Meal focused on stove production, Ringen Stove handled sales and distribution efforts. The rapid expansion seen throughout the 1880s and 1890s culminated in a 1901 consolidation of eight stove manufacturers from St. Louis, Chicago, and Cleveland into the American Stove Company. In 1914, this company introduced the industry’s first oven temperature regulator.
The Magic Chef brand debuted in 1929 and achieved such prominence that in 1951 the American Stove Company adopted Magic Chef, Inc. as its corporate name. Although primarily recognized for its gas stoves, the company experienced modest results when diversifying into other household appliance categories.
Growth and acquisitions
Magic Chef merged with California-based Food Giant Markets in 1957. A year later, following the sale of several underperforming units, it was acquired by Dixie Products—a smaller stove maker located in Cleveland, Tennessee.
In 1974, Magic Chef expanded its portfolio by purchasing Norge Village Laundry & Dry Cleaners. By 1986, it ranked as the 249th largest industrial firm nationwide and was bought by Maytag Corporation for $740 million. The company also manufactured home heating furnaces and air conditioning units, which were divested to Lennox International in 1988.
Following Whirlpool Corporation’s acquisition of Maytag in 2006, Magic Chef was separated and transferred to CNA International Inc./MC Appliance Corporation. This entity currently imports and markets a variety of small appliances under several brand names.
See also
- Dortch Stove Works: Historic Magic Chef manufacturing facility located in Franklin, Tennessee