Magic Chef appliances are made for MCA Corporation, a privately held American company based in Louisville, Kentucky, that has owned the Magic Chef brand since 2010.
Magic Chef is a value brand with more than 90 years of history, best known today for compact refrigerators, microwaves, washers, dryers, and small kitchen appliances.
MCA Corporation is a subsidiary of CNA International Inc., an import, export, and distribution company founded in 1992.
Knowing who owns Magic Chef today helps explain how a once major brand now competes as a focused, affordable compact appliance line.
This article covers who makes Magic Chef 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 Magic Chef Appliances?
Magic Chef appliances are made for MCA Corporation, which owns and manages the Magic Chef brand and licenses production to contracted manufacturers worldwide.
MCA is a brand marketer rather than a direct manufacturer, selecting and overseeing third party OEM factories that build Magic Chef products to the company’s specifications.
Magic Chef refrigerators, for example, are currently manufactured by Kayan, a Thai appliance company, to MCA’s requirements.
MCA maintains quality control engineers in Asia who oversee every detail of production, and a United States based customer service team handles all consumer inquiries.
Alongside Magic Chef, MCA manages the Sunbeam, Magic Maid, Ewave, and Norpole brands under the same distribution infrastructure, as detailed on the brand’s official FAQ page.
Where Are Magic Chef Appliances Made?
Magic Chef appliances are made in various countries depending on the product type and model.
Refrigerators are currently built by Kayan in Thailand, while microwaves and other small appliances are typically sourced from factories in China.
MCA’s US based customer service team and its Asia based quality control engineers bridge the gap between the American brand identity and international production.
All Magic Chef products are required to meet United States safety and certification standards before sale in North America.
The product label on each unit confirms the exact country of manufacture.
Who Owns Magic Chef Appliances?
Magic Chef is owned by MCA Corporation, which operates as a subsidiary of CNA International Inc.
CNA International was established in 1992 as an import, export, and distribution company, and began licensing the Magic Chef name for compact appliances in 1996.
In 2010, MCA Corporation purchased the Magic Chef brand outright from Whirlpool Corporation, which had previously held it after acquiring Maytag in 2006.
The full ownership chain is documented in Magic Chef’s recorded brand history.
What Is the History of Magic Chef?
Magic Chef traces its roots to the 1850s in St. Louis, Missouri, through a series of stove manufacturing companies that eventually merged into the American Stove Company.
The Magic Chef brand name was first used in 1929 and proved so successful that the company renamed itself Magic Chef, Inc. in 1951.
The brand changed hands several times over the decades, passing through Maytag in 1986 and then to Whirlpool when it acquired Maytag in 2006.
MCA Corporation purchased the brand in 2010 and has since focused it on compact and value priced appliances for everyday consumers.
Magic Chef Appliances vs Galanz Appliances: How Do They Compare?
Magic Chef and Galanz both compete in the compact and value appliance segment at similar price points.
Magic Chef carries a long American brand heritage and focuses on compact refrigerators, microwaves, and small laundry for apartments and dorms.
Galanz is a Chinese manufacturer that also makes full size appliances and controls roughly half of global microwave production.
For compact apartment needs, both are solid budget choices, while Galanz offers a broader range for buyers who want a full size appliance at a low price.
Are Magic Chef Appliances Any Good?
Magic Chef is a reasonable value brand for buyers who need basic, affordable compact appliances.
Compact refrigerators and microwaves are the brand’s strongest categories, earning decent reviews for their price from apartment and dorm users.
The brand is not aimed at serious cooking or full size kitchen setups, so expectations should match its positioning as a compact, entry level line.
MCA’s United States based customer support is a genuine plus, making post-purchase assistance easier to access than with many imported budget brands.
For shoppers who need a no-frills compact appliance at a budget price, Magic Chef is a dependable and readily available choice.
For more on related value appliance brands, see Who Makes Galanz Appliances and Who Makes Midea Appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Magic Chef Appliances
Who owns Magic Chef appliances?
Magic Chef is owned by MCA Corporation, a subsidiary of CNA International Inc. MCA purchased the brand from Whirlpool in 2010 and is based in Louisville, Kentucky.
Where are Magic Chef appliances made?
Magic Chef appliances are made in various countries depending on the product. Refrigerators are currently built by Kayan in Thailand, and many small appliances are sourced from China.
Is Magic Chef still a good brand?
Magic Chef is a solid entry-level brand for compact appliances. It is best suited to apartments, dorms, and secondary use rather than full kitchen setups. Customer support is US based, which is a genuine advantage.
Did Whirlpool ever make Magic Chef?
Yes, Whirlpool held the Magic Chef brand from 2006 to 2010 after acquiring Maytag, which had previously bought the brand in 1986. MCA Corporation purchased it from Whirlpool in 2010.
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.