Who Makes Kenmore Refrigerator

Kenmore refrigerators are not made by Kenmore itself. Kenmore is a brand owned by Transformco, and the actual refrigerators are manufactured by outside partners including LG, Whirlpool, Daewoo Electronics, and Panasonic.

Transformco formed in 2019 after acquiring the remaining assets of Sears Holdings Corporation following its 2018 bankruptcy, and it continues to own and market the Kenmore name today.

Because Kenmore relies on multiple outside manufacturers, the actual company behind a specific Kenmore refrigerator model can vary significantly depending on when and where it was built.

This multi manufacturer approach is common for large retail brands that focus on design and marketing rather than owning their own dedicated appliance factories.

Brand Owner	Transformco
Formed	2019, from Sears Holdings assets
Manufacturing Partners	LG, Whirlpool, Daewoo Electronics, Panasonic
Other Transformco Brands	Kmart, Craftsman, DieHard
Business Model	Brand licensing and marketing, not direct manufacturing
Sold Through	Online and select retail partners

Who Owns Kenmore?

Kenmore is owned by Transformco, the company formed in 2019 after Sears Holdings Corporation filed for bankruptcy and sold most of its assets.

Transformco also owns Kmart, Craftsman, and DieHard, all former Sears Holdings brands that continued under the new ownership structure.

Kenmore itself has never been a manufacturer. Even during its decades as the flagship Sears appliance brand, the actual products were always built by outside manufacturing partners.

Who Actually Manufactures Kenmore Refrigerators?

Kenmore refrigerators have historically been built by several major manufacturers, including LG, Whirlpool, Daewoo Electronics, and Panasonic, depending on the specific model and product line.

This arrangement means two Kenmore refrigerators can be engineered very differently from one another, since they may come from entirely different manufacturing partners.

Buyers who want to know the specific manufacturer behind a particular Kenmore model often need to check the model number or serial plate rather than relying on the Kenmore name alone.

Why Does Kenmore Use Multiple Manufacturers?

Using multiple manufacturing partners lets Kenmore offer a broad product lineup across different price points and features without owning its own factories.

This model also gave Sears, and now Transformco, flexibility to switch suppliers over time based on cost, quality, and changing market conditions.

How Has Kenmore Changed Since the Sears Bankruptcy?

Kenmore was once one of the best selling appliance brands in the United States, largely due to its position as the flagship brand inside Sears stores nationwide.

Following the decline and eventual bankruptcy of Sears Holdings, Kenmore lost much of its retail floor space, and Transformco has since focused more heavily on online sales.

Despite this shift, Kenmore remains a recognized name, and Transformco continues sourcing refrigerators from established manufacturers to keep the brand available to consumers.

Is Kenmore Really Good or Worth It?

Kenmore refrigerator quality depends heavily on which manufacturer built the specific model, since the brand itself does not control engineering or production directly.

Models built by LG or Whirlpool generally reflect the reliability standards of those manufacturers, while quality can vary more on older or discontinued product lines.

Because Kenmore retail presence has shrunk since the Sears bankruptcy, buyers may find it harder to get in person service or support compared with brands sold through wider retail networks.

For buyers who can verify the manufacturing partner behind a specific Kenmore model, the brand can still represent solid value, though research is more important than it once was.

Kenmore Warranty and Customer Support

Kenmore refrigerator warranties vary depending on the manufacturing partner and specific product line, so buyers should check the terms for their exact model.

Customer support is handled through Transformco, which manages service, parts, and warranty claims for products sold under the Kenmore name. Details on the company can also be found through its Wikipedia profile.

Where Can You Buy Kenmore Refrigerators?

Kenmore refrigerators are sold primarily online through Transformco, a shift from the brand former position as a major in store presence at Sears locations.

For more background on the brand history, see Where Are Kenmore Appliances Made, and for one of its manufacturing partners, see Who Makes Whirlpool Refrigerators.

How Long Has Kenmore Used Outside Manufacturers?

Kenmore has relied on outside manufacturers for its entire history, dating back to its earliest years as a Sears house brand built by whichever manufacturer offered the best terms at the time.

Over the decades, companies such as Whirlpool, Frigidaire, and later LG and Daewoo Electronics have all built refrigerators sold under the Kenmore name at different points.

This long standing practice is well documented and is not considered unusual, since many large retail brands historically avoided owning factories directly and instead focused on design specifications and sourcing contracts.

Transformco has continued this same approach since taking over the brand, maintaining relationships with established manufacturers rather than building new factories of its own.

Shoppers considering a Kenmore refrigerator today should research the specific model and manufacturer before buying, since reliability and parts availability depend far more on the actual builder than on the Kenmore name itself.

Checking recent buyer reviews for the exact model number is one of the most reliable ways to understand what to expect from a current generation Kenmore refrigerator.

Overall, Kenmore remains a workable option for buyers willing to do a bit of extra research to confirm which manufacturer stands behind their specific refrigerator model.

Keeping the original purchase confirmation on file is also useful, since warranty claims are typically processed through Transformco rather than through the original manufacturing partner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kenmore Refrigerators

Who makes Kenmore refrigerators?

Kenmore refrigerators are made by outside manufacturers including LG, Whirlpool, Daewoo Electronics, and Panasonic, under the Kenmore brand owned by Transformco.

Who owns Kenmore now?

Kenmore is owned by Transformco, the company formed in 2019 following the bankruptcy and asset sale of Sears Holdings Corporation.

Is Kenmore still a good refrigerator brand?

Kenmore can still be a good choice depending on the manufacturing partner behind a specific model, though the brand retail presence has shrunk significantly since the Sears bankruptcy.

Where can I buy Kenmore refrigerators today?

Kenmore refrigerators are primarily sold online through Transformco rather than through a large network of physical stores. More background is available on Wikipedia and directly from Transformco.