Whirlpool refrigerators are made by Whirlpool Corporation, an American publicly traded company headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and the largest home appliance manufacturer in the world by revenue.
Whirlpool Corporation, whose official site is whirlpoolcorp.com, trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker WHR and has no single controlling owner, with shares spread across institutional investors including BlackRock and Vanguard.
The company has been in business since 1911, when it started as a small maker of electric washing machines in Michigan before growing into the appliance giant it is today.
Whirlpool also owns Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana, and Roper, so several refrigerator brands on store shelves actually roll off the same production lines.
The company reports that most of its appliances sold in the United States, including a large share of its refrigerators, are built domestically rather than imported.
In 2025 and 2026, Whirlpool continued investing hundreds of millions of dollars into its US laundry and refrigeration plants as part of a broader push to keep production onshore.
| Manufacturer | Whirlpool Corporation |
| Founded | 1911, Benton Harbor, Michigan |
| Headquarters | Benton Charter Township, Michigan |
| Stock Ticker | NYSE: WHR |
| Refrigerator Plant | Amana, Iowa (primary US site) |
| Other Brands | Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana, Roper |
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Who Owns Whirlpool Corporation?
Whirlpool Corporation is an independent, publicly traded American company. It is not owned by another appliance maker or foreign parent, which sets it apart from rivals like GE Appliances, now owned by China based Haier.
Its largest shareholders are institutional funds such as BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street, which collectively hold a significant portion of outstanding shares on behalf of everyday investors and pension funds.
The company acquired KitchenAid in 1986 and Maytag in 2006, both moves that expanded its refrigerator lineup and made it the largest appliance company in North America by unit volume.
Where Are Whirlpool Refrigerators Made?
Whirlpool’s flagship refrigerator plant in the United States sits in Amana, Iowa, a facility the company gained through its acquisition of Maytag, which had operated the site since the 1930s.
French door, bottom freezer, and built in refrigerator models sold under the Whirlpool name are largely built at the Amana plant, which employs thousands of workers in eastern Iowa.
Some entry level top freezer and side by side refrigerator models are produced in Whirlpool’s Mexican facilities, a common industry practice for lower margin product categories.
Are Whirlpool Refrigerators Made in the USA?
Most Whirlpool refrigerators sold domestically are assembled in the United States, primarily at the Amana, Iowa facility, though the company also operates refrigeration plants in Mexico for certain product lines.
Whirlpool has said that roughly 80 percent of the appliances it sells in the United States are manufactured domestically, and it has invested billions of dollars in US manufacturing over the past decade.
Steel used in many Whirlpool products is also sourced domestically, which the company points to as part of its broader commitment to American manufacturing.
How Long Has Whirlpool Been Making Refrigerators?
Whirlpool began as a washing machine maker in 1911 and did not enter the refrigerator category until decades later, expanding its lineup as it grew into a full line appliance manufacturer.
Its refrigeration business grew substantially through acquisitions, particularly the 2006 purchase of Maytag, which brought the Amana, Iowa refrigerator plant and decades of cooling technology into the Whirlpool portfolio.
Whirlpool vs. GE Refrigerators: What Is the Difference?
Whirlpool and GE Appliances are longtime rivals in the American refrigerator market, but they have very different ownership stories today.
Whirlpool remains an independent American public company, while GE Appliances has been owned by Chinese electronics giant Haier since 2016.
Both companies still manufacture a significant share of their refrigerators in the United States, with Whirlpool centered in Iowa and GE Appliances centered at its large Louisville, Kentucky campus.
Does Whirlpool Make Roper and KitchenAid Refrigerators Too?
Yes. Whirlpool Corporation owns and manufactures the Roper brand, a stripped down, budget focused line sold mainly through independent dealers.
It also owns KitchenAid, a premium brand known for its stand mixers as well as high end refrigerators, ranges, and dishwashers.
Many Roper, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool branded refrigerators share components, factories, and engineering, which explains why replacement parts often overlap between the three brands.
Is Whirlpool a Good Refrigerator Brand?
Whirlpool refrigerators generally earn solid marks for reliability and value, particularly in the mid range French door and top freezer categories where the brand competes heavily on price.
Independent reliability surveys have found Whirlpool refrigerators to be dependable over a typical 10 to 13 year lifespan, though customer reviews on ice maker performance are mixed across some model years.
The brand’s wide service network and parts availability, backed by nine US manufacturing plants, is a genuine advantage for buyers who want easy repairs down the road.
Common complaints center on premium smart refrigerator features and occasional compressor issues on certain French door models, which is typical across the broader refrigerator industry.
Buyers comparing Whirlpool to Roper often find that Whirlpool models add smart features, upgraded finishes, and larger capacities, while Roper strips those extras away to hit a lower price point.
For shoppers who want the reliability of Whirlpool engineering without the full retail price, checking floor model and open box listings at major retailers is often the best way to save.
Whirlpool also continues to expand its lineup of connected refrigerators with app based temperature control, which the company builds and tests at the same Iowa facility alongside its standard models.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whirlpool Refrigerators
Is Whirlpool an American company?
Yes. Whirlpool Corporation was founded in 1911 in Michigan and remains headquartered there today, making it one of the largest American owned appliance manufacturers still operating.
Where is the main Whirlpool refrigerator factory?
The primary US refrigerator plant is in Amana, Iowa, a facility Whirlpool gained through its 2006 acquisition of Maytag Corporation.
Does Whirlpool own Maytag and KitchenAid?
Yes. Whirlpool acquired KitchenAid in 1986 and Maytag in 2006, and both brands now share manufacturing infrastructure with core Whirlpool products.
Are all Whirlpool refrigerators made in the USA?
Not all. Most higher end French door and built in models come from the Amana, Iowa plant, while some entry level top freezer and side by side models are built at Whirlpool’s Mexican facilities.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.