Tappan (brand)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Home appliances |
| Founded | 1881 in Bellaire, Ohio, United States |
| Founder | W. J. Tappan |
| Fate | Merged into Electrolux Home Products of North America in 1997 |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ohio , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Parent | Electrolux (from 1979) |
Tappan represents a U.S.-based appliance label, deriving its name from its originator, W. J. Tappan.
Key advancements introduced by the brand include:
- Porcelain-coated ranges available in multiple hues during the 1930s
- The debut of the first 24-inch compact microwave oven in 1955
- Implementation of electric ignition systems for gas ranges throughout the 1960s
- The 1965 innovation combining a traditional range with a microwave oven
History
The enterprise began in 1881 under the name Ohio Valley Foundry Company in Bellaire, Ohio, established by W.J. Tappan. Initially, it specialized in door-to-door sales of cast-iron stoves.
By 1889, operations moved to Mansfield, Ohio, adopting the title Eclipse Stove Company, a homage to Tappan’s father who was an amateur astronomer.[1] Due to trademark issues, the firm was rebranded as the Tappan Stove Company during the 1920s.[1]
In 1950, Tappan expanded by acquiring the Los Angeles-based O'Keefe & Merritt Stove Company, maintaining that brand's presence in the western United States until the late 1980s.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Investor Carl Icahn took control of Tappan in 1978 and advocated for its sale to Electrolux.
The following year, in 1979, Swedish corporation AB Electrolux purchased Tappan. Later in 1986, Electrolux acquired White Consolidated Industries, merging Tappan with other brands such as Frigidaire, White-Westinghouse, and Kelvinator to create the WCI Major Appliances Group. This group was renamed the Frigidaire Company by 1991, with headquarters located in Dublin, Ohio.
In 1997, Electrolux restructured its North American division into Electrolux Home Products of North America, integrating American Yard Products, Frigidaire, and Poulan/Weedeater under one umbrella.
External links
- Pages with reference errors
- Articles with short description
- Pages using start date and age with unknown parameters
- Home appliance manufacturers of the United States
- 1979 mergers and acquisitions
- Manufacturing companies based in Ohio
- Electrolux brands
- American companies established in 1881
- American companies disestablished in 1997
- 1881 establishments in Ohio
- 1997 disestablishments in Ohio