Fisher and Paykel appliances are made by Fisher and Paykel Appliances Holdings Limited, a New Zealand-founded appliance designer and marketer that has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Haier Group of China since 2012, when Haier completed its acquisition for approximately NZ$1.1 billion.
Fisher and Paykel is a premium appliance brand founded in 1934 in Auckland, New Zealand, best known for its DishDrawer double-drawer dishwasher, Active Smart refrigerators, and innovative human-centered design philosophy, with manufacturing now concentrated in Thailand, China, Italy, and Mexico.
Fisher and Paykel Appliances Holdings Limited is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, and operates as Haier’s global premium appliance brand, competing in over 50 countries with a focus on sustainability, design excellence, and high-end kitchen integration.
Knowing that Fisher and Paykel remains headquartered in New Zealand with its design and engineering identity intact, while Haier provides global manufacturing scale and distribution, helps explain how the brand continues to deliver genuine innovation despite the ownership transition.
This article covers who makes Fisher and Paykel appliances, where they are produced, who owns the brand, its history, how it compares to a rival, and whether the appliances are any good.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Fisher and Paykel Appliances?
Fisher and Paykel appliances are designed and marketed by Fisher and Paykel Appliances Holdings Limited, which operates as Haier’s global premium appliance brand subsidiary from its Auckland headquarters.
Fisher and Paykel holds over 420 patents and operates its own Research and Early Development function from New Zealand, giving it genuine innovation capability independent of its Chinese parent’s product development pipeline.
The company’s product range includes built-in ovens, electric and gas cooktops, ranges, range hoods, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers, all designed under the Social Kitchen philosophy that treats the kitchen as a space for human connection.
Fisher and Paykel won multiple 2025 Red Dot Design Awards, confirming its continued standing as one of the world’s leading appliance design organizations, as documented in the company’s profile.
Where Are Fisher and Paykel Appliances Made?
Fisher and Paykel appliances are manufactured in Thailand, China, Italy, and Mexico, following the closure of the company’s New Zealand manufacturing operations as it relocated production to lower-cost countries.
The company’s Italian operations, including the former Elba cookware business acquired from De’Longhi for 78 million euros in 2006, supply Fisher and Paykel cooking appliances primarily for European markets.
Design, engineering, and innovation remain based in Auckland, New Zealand, which serves as the global center for Fisher and Paykel’s product development despite the shift in physical manufacturing to Asia and Europe.
In August 2025, Fisher and Paykel generated annual revenues of approximately NZ$1.6 billion, reflecting consistent growth in premium household products across its global distribution footprint.
Who Owns Fisher and Paykel Appliances?
Fisher and Paykel is owned by Haier Group Corporation of China, which acquired approximately 20% of Fisher and Paykel shares in 2009 before completing a full acquisition for approximately NZ$1.1 billion in 2012.
Haier is headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong, China, and is the world’s largest home appliance brand by sales volume, also owning GE Appliances in the United States and Candy in Europe alongside Fisher and Paykel.
Haier has positioned Fisher and Paykel as its global premium appliance brand, using the New Zealand brand’s design reputation to compete in the high-end segment where Haier’s own brand has less recognition.
Haier’s full global brand portfolio is documented in Haier’s company profile.
What Is the History of Fisher and Paykel?
Fisher and Paykel traces its origins to 1934 when Woolf Fisher and Maurice Paykel began importing appliances, including Crosley refrigerators, into New Zealand after Olive Paykel saw the products in an American magazine and wanted one.
When the New Zealand government banned manufactured product imports, Fisher and Paykel shifted to assembling appliances under license, eventually developing its own proprietary designs and beginning to export within Australasia and East Asia around 1968.
The company’s most iconic innovation, the DishDrawer, launched in the 1990s as the world’s first drawer-format dishwasher, earning global recognition for reimagining a product category that had been unchanged for decades.
Haier acquired full ownership in 2012, providing capital and distribution scale that allowed Fisher and Paykel to grow from NZ$500 million in debt-laden revenue to approximately NZ$1.6 billion in annual revenue by 2025.
Fisher and Paykel vs Sub-Zero: How Do They Compare?
Fisher and Paykel and Sub-Zero both compete in the premium integrated kitchen appliance segment targeting buyers who want high-end design, performance, and seamless cabinetry integration.
Sub-Zero is an American luxury brand owned by Sub-Zero Group alongside Wolf and Cove, focused on refrigeration and professional cooking at the absolute top of the US premium market with a price point that exceeds most competitors.
Fisher and Paykel offers a broader range of products at a premium but somewhat more accessible price, with the Social Kitchen philosophy, DishDrawer innovation, and New Zealand design identity providing a distinct brand character.
For buyers who want innovative design thinking and New Zealand-engineered premium appliances at prices below Sub-Zero’s ceiling, Fisher and Paykel is a compelling alternative with genuine product differentiation.
Are Fisher and Paykel Appliances Any Good?
Fisher and Paykel appliances are consistently rated among the best premium mid-to-high-end options available, praised by designers and homeowners for their innovative design, strong performance, and refined Scandinavian-influenced aesthetic.
The DishDrawer remains an industry-leading product in its category, allowing independent operation of each drawer and superior ergonomics compared to conventional door-based dishwashers, making it a favorite among kitchen designers.
The brand’s Active Smart refrigerators and Series 9 professional range have earned strong marks from appliance reviewers for cooling precision, smart features, and build quality appropriate to the premium price tier.
Fisher and Paykel’s two-year parts and labor warranty with a five-year sealed system warranty reflects confidence in its products, and the Haier-backed global service network ensures dealer support is available across North America.
For buyers who want genuine New Zealand design innovation, a unique dishwasher concept, and premium integrated kitchen appliances at a price below the most exclusive American luxury brands, Fisher and Paykel is a distinctively designed and well-supported choice.
For more on related premium appliance brands, see Who Makes Dacor Appliances and Who Makes Blomberg Appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fisher and Paykel Appliances
Who makes Fisher and Paykel appliances?
Fisher and Paykel appliances are designed by Fisher and Paykel Appliances Holdings Limited, a New Zealand company founded in 1934 and owned by Haier Group of China since 2012. Manufacturing takes place in Thailand, China, Italy, and Mexico.
Where are Fisher and Paykel appliances made?
Fisher and Paykel appliances are manufactured in Thailand, China, Italy, and Mexico. Design and engineering remain headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, where the brand was founded in 1934.
Is Fisher and Paykel owned by Haier?
Yes. Haier Group of China acquired Fisher and Paykel Appliances in 2012 for approximately NZ$1.1 billion. Fisher and Paykel now operates as Haier’s global premium appliance brand alongside GE Appliances in the United States and Candy in Europe.
What is Fisher and Paykel best known for?
Fisher and Paykel is best known for the DishDrawer, the world’s first drawer-format dishwasher, and for its Active Smart refrigerators and Social Kitchen design philosophy. It won multiple 2025 Red Dot Design Awards for product innovation.
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.