Westinghouse appliances are made by Electrolux AB, a Swedish multinational home appliance manufacturer headquartered in Stockholm, which acquired the Westinghouse appliance brand in 1986 and continues to manufacture and license it for kitchen and laundry products across multiple global markets.
Westinghouse was originally founded as the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1886 by inventor George Westinghouse, entering the major appliance industry in 1917 with the acquisition of the Copeman Electric Stove Company, and became one of the most trusted appliance names of the 20th century.
Electrolux is consistently ranked the world’s second-largest appliance maker by units sold, trading on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic Market under the ticker ELUX, and also owns Frigidaire, AEG, and Zanussi alongside Westinghouse.
Knowing that Westinghouse is particularly significant as an Australian household icon, with Electrolux operating local manufacturing for the brand since the 1930s, helps explain why Westinghouse appliances carry different regional manufacturing arrangements depending on where they are sold.
This article covers who makes Westinghouse 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 Westinghouse Appliances?
Westinghouse appliances are made by Electrolux AB, which manufactures and licenses the Westinghouse name for kitchen and laundry appliances depending on the regional market.
In Australia, Electrolux Home Products manufactures Westinghouse ovens locally at its dedicated Adelaide cooking plant, which also produces appliances under the AEG and Chef brand names within the Electrolux group.
In North America, White-Westinghouse appliances are made under license from the Westinghouse trademark owner through a brand management subsidiary, with Electrolux historically producing White-Westinghouse branded products as recently as 2006.
Electrolux’s global brand licensing program, one of the largest in the licensing industry, allows third-party manufacturers in select categories to use the Westinghouse and other Electrolux brand names under formal partnership agreements, as confirmed on Electrolux’s official brand licensing page.
Where Are Westinghouse Appliances Made?
Westinghouse appliances sold in Australia are partly manufactured locally, with ovens produced at Electrolux’s Adelaide, South Australia cooking plant, reflecting decades of dedicated local manufacturing investment.
Westinghouse refrigerators sold in Australia are commonly sourced from Thailand, while dishwashers are imported from Turkey, and freezers, cooktops, and range hoods are typically manufactured in China.
Electrolux’s broader global manufacturing network spans approximately 46 production sites across 31 countries, supporting the various Electrolux-owned brands including Westinghouse, Frigidaire, AEG, and Zanussi.
In North America, Electrolux operates significant manufacturing facilities including a Memphis, Tennessee plant producing refrigerators and dishwashers, though specific product sourcing for White-Westinghouse-branded items can vary by licensee and product category.
Who Owns Westinghouse Appliances?
Westinghouse appliances in most major markets are owned and manufactured by Electrolux AB, which acquired the brand in 1986 as part of its acquisition of White Consolidated Industries.
The original Westinghouse Electric Corporation, founded by George Westinghouse in 1886, lost control of many of its founded companies following the financial panic of 1907, and its major appliance division eventually passed through White Consolidated Industries before reaching Electrolux.
The Westinghouse trademark itself for some product categories, including White-Westinghouse branded electronics, is separately licensed through Westinghouse Licensing Corporation, a brand management subsidiary connected to the historic Westinghouse name.
Electrolux’s full brand portfolio and the Westinghouse acquisition history are documented in Electrolux’s company profile.
What Is the History of Westinghouse?
George Westinghouse founded the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1886 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, building it into a major American manufacturing and engineering company across electrical power, transportation, and consumer products.
Westinghouse entered major appliances in 1917 by acquiring the Copeman Electric Stove Company, moving production from Flint, Michigan to Mansfield, Ohio, and building a strong reputation for electric ranges as the technology gained popularity through the 1920s and 1930s.
Westinghouse appliances entered the Australian market in the late 1930s under license, and the brand became deeply embedded in Australian household culture over the following decades, celebrating 130 years of presence in that market.
White Consolidated Industries acquired Westinghouse’s major appliance business in 1975, creating the White-Westinghouse brand, and Electrolux subsequently acquired White Consolidated Industries in 1986, bringing Westinghouse appliances fully under Electrolux ownership.
Westinghouse vs Frigidaire: How Do They Compare?
Westinghouse and Frigidaire are both historic American appliance brands now owned and manufactured by Electrolux, making them sister brands within the same corporate portfolio.
Frigidaire is Electrolux’s primary North American consumer brand, with a substantial US manufacturing presence including the Memphis, Tennessee facility, and broad retail distribution across the United States.
Westinghouse carries stronger brand identity in Australia, where Electrolux maintains dedicated local manufacturing, while in North America the Westinghouse name appears more selectively through licensing arrangements.
Both brands share Electrolux’s underlying engineering and manufacturing standards, and the choice between them often comes down to regional availability and which name carries stronger local brand recognition.
Are Westinghouse Appliances Any Good?
Westinghouse appliances are generally well regarded, particularly in Australia where the brand has a long-established reputation for reliable performance and practical design backed by local manufacturing investment.
The brand’s locally manufactured Australian ovens benefit from decades of regional engineering refinement specific to Australian conditions, while imported categories like refrigerators and dishwashers reflect Electrolux’s broader global manufacturing standards.
Westinghouse’s positioning varies meaningfully by region, with stronger brand equity and product depth in Australia compared to its more limited North American presence under licensing arrangements.
Buyers in North America encountering the White-Westinghouse name should verify the current manufacturer and licensee, as the brand’s availability and manufacturing partner can shift over time.
For buyers in Australia or markets where Electrolux maintains strong Westinghouse brand investment, the brand offers solid reliability and practical engineering backed by one of the world’s largest appliance manufacturers.
For more on related appliance brands, see Who Makes Frigidaire and Who Makes Electrolux Appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Westinghouse Appliances
Who makes Westinghouse appliances?
Westinghouse appliances are made by Electrolux AB, a Swedish multinational manufacturer that acquired the brand in 1986. Electrolux manufactures and licenses Westinghouse for kitchen and laundry products in markets including Australia and North America.
Where are Westinghouse appliances made?
Westinghouse ovens sold in Australia are made locally at Electrolux’s Adelaide cooking plant. Refrigerators come from Thailand, dishwashers from Turkey, and freezers, cooktops, and range hoods are typically made in China.
Is Westinghouse owned by Electrolux?
Yes. Electrolux AB acquired the Westinghouse appliance brand in 1986 as part of its acquisition of White Consolidated Industries. Electrolux continues to manufacture and license Westinghouse products today.
Is Westinghouse a popular brand in Australia?
Yes. Westinghouse has been sold in Australia since the late 1930s and is considered an Australian household icon, with Electrolux Home Products maintaining dedicated local oven manufacturing in Adelaide, South Australia.
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.