When Raytheon sold off it's appliance division, as previously stated Alliance got commercial, and Maytag the domestic. At the time of the "break-up", Alliance by contractual agreement could not enter the domestic laundry appliance market for a period of years, that period expired about two years ago now and is the reason why one sees SQ home laundry appliances.
IIRC Maytag was NOT happy and tried by legal action to stop or at least delay Alliance's re-entry, but to no avail. Alliance had already been producing a "Homestyle" line of washers and dryers (including front loaders), for light commercial use (beauty salons, small gyms, and so forth); and merely adapted that line for their home market. Some have complained that the initial SQ line up, at least the front loader left much to be desired, and word on the street is new models are due in response to the bad press.
However, being as the above may, SQ home front loaders are probably one of the best built units out there, especially for an 18lb washer. No frills, or frippery, just machines built for the duration.
Alliance sells SQ under the brand name "Hubesch" (sp?) in Canada and the US as well.
L.
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