Maytag's Tall Tub Dishwasher

[johnb300m]

So, I've heard alot of talk on here that Whirlpool is and is not going to alter the current Maytag tall tub dishwasher mechanism.

I totally agree that they should keep Maytag's mechanism, and even spread it to all the other Whirlpool subsidiaries.

But what's with the rumors about them putting the corporate Whirlpool mechanism in? SO they're NOT doing this?
The Maytags will stay just as they are?

WHY?
I'm glad if they are. But what is Whirlpool's rationale for staying with Maytag's design? I'd couldn't believe that they would not think theirs is automatically superior.

Unless.....they figured out Maytag's is better???

So what does everyone think is going to happen?

View attachment 8-20-2007-21-15-26--johnb300m.jpg

 

[appnut]

John, the Maytag factory is "fairly new" and modern in the scheme of things from what I understand. Maytag put a lot of $$ into the facility, so Whirlpool is giong to keep it around, but who knows for how long.

 

[appnut]

It's kind of like, all Maytag, Whirlpool, ... bottom-mount fridges are from the old Amana factory.

 

[frigilux]

Someone in another thread posted that they'd already seen Whirlpool-designed dishwashers badged as Maytags, somewhere----Lowe's or Home Depot, perhaps.

That's too bad. I'm completely impressed with my tall-tub Maytag in loading flexibility and cleaning. They should keep the Maytag design and re-badge them as Whirlpools!

From a corporate point of view, it doesn't make sense for Whirlpool to keep two different manufacturing processes going.

 

[andrewinorlando]

Business Economics....and how it may benefit us Appliance Lo

How Whirlpool chooses to position the Maytag brand will be one factor in keeping the design or not, but the major factor is that, since the factory and the technology is newer and up and running, that is a "sunk cost" for the company and there is no getting around that. What value it brings to the table in terms of contribution margin all depends on the sales it generates. It is not sufficient to just say "it doesn't make sense to have two different manufacturing processes in place" as there are fixed and unavoidable costs associated with keeping any operation running. If the operation is self sustaining, and produces a margin that more than covers the fixed and variable costs, it will stay (and it doesn't matter how good or bad the product is here). Even a bad product may continue in production (haven't we all seen that?) if offsetting those fixed costs will drive the organization's margins down on its other operating entities. If it does go, someone has to absorb those fixed costs, and it's going to be Whirlpool's other operating entities, which in turn shifts their margins down as they are forced to absorb more cost. Since Maytag has designed and produced a good product here, as long as the consumer agrees and continues to buy it, it won't be going anywhere any time soon. Once the factory starts becoming obsolete and in need of major restoration, that might be a different story since a capital infusion will change the economics of the whole scenario. Of course, outside factors such as labor, regulatory issues, materials, recalls, quality issues, etc., always play a role, but that's a given for almost anything these days.

Of course, those of us who do love that design hope that it will be around for a long time, maybe even making it into Whirlpool's own line.

On a side note, I did see Maytag branded refrigerators at Homo Depot that are Whirlpool manufactured units. Does anyone know where Whirlpool manufactures their refrigerators? Is it Mexico?

 

[appnut]

Eugene, there's an entry-level Maytag that now has Whirly's DuraWash design, but that's no big deal and nuttin to get your panties all in a wad over. This simply replaced the original std. tub design maytag style.

 

[runematic]

The BOL Maytag dw is now a WP unit (MDB4621). That's a shame because the Jetclean I was a very nice dishwasher. For now, the Jetclean II (talltubs), it seems, will remain a Maytag unit.

 

[frigilux]

Andrew---I certainly see your point, but I'd be willing to bet the farm there is only one DW design in Whirlpool's future. They use their design for all their brands, and I doubt Maytag will be an exception.

 

[andrewinorlando]

Most likely in the future, that is exactly what they will wind up doing. From a manufacturing perspective, everything has an expiration date!

 

[magic clean]

The Maytag-Jenn Air tall-tub design continues. The standard tub Maytag machines have joined the Whirlpool family of vertical pump design units. They are made in Tennesee and Ohio repectively.

The Kenmore, Whirlpool & KitchenAid tall-tub design continue as well from Ohio.

Whirlpool refrigerators are built in Indiana(top-freezers) Iowa (bottom-freezers), Tennesee (built-in), Arkansas & Mexico (basic side by sides & small top freezers)

 

[johnb300m]

woah, woah

Careful now.
DuraWash and "vertical design" are opposites.

Isn't the DuraWash that crappy system with the "soil settler" and a horizontal plastic motor?

Because Whirlpool's only vertical design is the PowerClean.

Have they put a Powerclean module in the Maytags or the crappy Roper DuraWash???

There's a huge difference. If the PowerClean is in the Maytags, then that's awesome. If not.........screw them.

 

[magic clean]

Vertical design = Powerclean.

 

[andrewinorlando]

OK, I'm confused....who's got what?

 

[launderess]

What is on second base.

*LOL*

 

[andrewinorlando]

Then where is Who?

 

[maytagbear]

In

Whoville, of course.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[launderess]

Who is on first

 

[frigilux]

What?!

 

[launderess]

What is on second, who is on first