RCA appliances are made by Curtis International Ltd., a Canadian consumer electronics and appliance company that holds a brand licensing agreement to manufacture and sell RCA-branded refrigerators, microwaves, ranges, dishwashers, and wine cellars across North America.
RCA, an abbreviation for the Radio Corporation of America founded in 1919, no longer exists as an operating manufacturer; the RCA trademark is now owned by Talisman Brands, Inc., doing business as Established Incorporated, which licenses the name to multiple companies for different product categories.
Curtis International Ltd. has been manufacturing and distributing consumer electronics and home appliances since 1991, operating as a family-run business based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, with three flagship manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico, Bulgaria, and China.
Knowing that the RCA name has been separated from its original manufacturer for decades and is now licensed to Curtis International helps explain how a brand once synonymous with cutting-edge American electronics now produces budget-friendly appliances through Canadian-managed global manufacturing.
This article covers who makes RCA 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 RCA Appliances?
RCA appliances are made by Curtis International Ltd., which holds the licensing rights to produce RCA-branded major and small appliances for the North American consumer market.
Curtis International designs, sources, and distributes the full RCA appliance lineup, including compact and standard refrigerators, countertop and portable dishwashers, microwaves, washing machines, and wine cellars.
The company also licenses and manufactures products under the Sylvania, Proscan, Hamilton, and Curtis brand names, applying similar contract manufacturing and licensing approaches across its broader portfolio.
Each RCA appliance carries a label confirming it was manufactured and sold under the responsibility of Curtis International Ltd. under license, as confirmed on RCA’s official appliances page.
Where Are RCA Appliances Made?
RCA appliances were historically manufactured in China, though current production has largely shifted to Mexico and the United States as Curtis International has consolidated its North American supply chain.
Curtis International’s three flagship manufacturing plants are located in Puerto Rico, Bulgaria, and China, though it is not always disclosed which specific facility produces a given RCA appliance model.
Some RCA appliance models are built by other manufacturers under separate arrangements, including Hotpoint, Samsung, or Frigidaire-sourced components, meaning the manufacturer can vary by product and model year.
Curtis International is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, where the company manages design, distribution, and warranty support for RCA-branded appliances sold throughout North America.
Who Owns RCA Appliances?
The RCA trademark is owned by Talisman Brands, Inc., doing business as Established Incorporated, which licenses the RCA name to multiple companies for different product categories rather than manufacturing products itself.
Curtis International Ltd. holds the specific license to produce and sell RCA-branded appliances in North America, while other companies including Voxx International and Sony Music Entertainment hold separate RCA licenses for electronics and music respectively.
RCA’s complex ownership history traces from its original 1919 founding through General Electric’s 1986 acquisition, eventual divestiture, and the fragmented licensing structure that exists today across the trademark’s many product categories.
RCA’s full trademark history and current licensing structure are documented in RCA’s trademark profile.
What Is the History of RCA?
RCA, the Radio Corporation of America, was founded in 1919 as a reorganization of the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America, becoming the dominant American electronics and communications company for over five decades.
RCA sold its Estate brand of large appliance operations to Whirlpool Corporation in 1955, with Whirlpool marketing RCA Whirlpool appliances through the mid-1960s, an early example of the brand’s name being separated from in-house manufacturing.
General Electric reacquired RCA Corporation in 1986 and subsequently sold or liquidated most of its divisions and assets, retaining only NBC, while the RCA trademark itself passed through Thomson SA, Technicolor SA, and eventually to its current owner.
Curtis International established its RCA appliance licensing relationship as part of a broader strategy to leverage historically trusted American brand names for budget-tier consumer products across North America.
RCA Appliances vs Insignia Appliances: How Do They Compare?
RCA and Insignia are both budget-tier appliance brands built on licensing and contract manufacturing rather than dedicated in-house production facilities.
RCA is licensed exclusively by Curtis International for North American distribution, with a heritage brand name that carries decades of American consumer recognition despite its current manufacturing arrangement.
Insignia is Best Buy’s private-label brand, sold exclusively through Best Buy’s retail network and online store, with manufacturing handled by contracted OEM partners including Haier and Midea.
For buyers who want broader multi-retailer availability, RCA’s licensed distribution model offers more purchasing flexibility, while Insignia buyers benefit from Best Buy’s integrated retail and service experience.
Are RCA Appliances Any Good?
RCA appliances are positioned as budget-friendly, value-oriented options, generally well suited for buyers seeking basic functionality such as compact refrigerators, countertop dishwashers, and small-capacity microwaves at accessible prices.
Curtis International’s decades of experience manufacturing consumer electronics and appliances since 1991 provides a reasonable level of manufacturing consistency, though RCA products generally do not match the feature depth of established mid-tier or premium brands.
RCA’s compact and dorm-sized appliances, particularly its small refrigerators and countertop dishwashers, are popular choices for apartments, offices, and secondary living spaces where space efficiency matters more than advanced features.
Buyers should manage expectations around longevity and feature sets given RCA’s positioning as a value brand, and should verify warranty terms directly with Curtis International or the retailer at time of purchase.
For buyers who want simple, compact, and affordable appliances under a historically recognized American brand name, RCA remains a reasonable choice for secondary living spaces, dorms, and small apartments.
For more on related budget appliance brands, see Who Makes Midea Appliances and Who Makes Avanti Appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions About RCA Appliances
Who makes RCA appliances?
RCA appliances are made by Curtis International Ltd., a Canadian company based in Mississauga, Ontario, that holds a licensing agreement to produce RCA-branded refrigerators, microwaves, ranges, and dishwashers for North America.
Where are RCA appliances made?
RCA appliances have historically been made in China, though production has shifted toward Mexico and the United States. Curtis International’s flagship plants are in Puerto Rico, Bulgaria, and China.
Who owns the RCA brand?
The RCA trademark is owned by Talisman Brands, Inc., doing business as Established Incorporated, which licenses the RCA name to various companies including Curtis International for appliances, Voxx International for electronics, and Sony Music Entertainment for the record label.
Is RCA still an American company?
RCA no longer exists as an operating manufacturer. The brand name is now owned by Talisman Brands and licensed to various companies, with Curtis International, a Canadian company, holding the appliance manufacturing license for North America.
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.