Tappan and O'Keefe and Merritt

[agiflow-action]

Does anyone out there know when the relationship between Tappan and O'Keefe and Merritt began? Vintage stoves of the 50's from these two companies look very similar.
I remember reading "Consumers Digest" in the late 80's and there was a chart of who made what for who in the appliance industry.
Did Tappan produce their own stoves in the 50's or were they O'Keefe and Merritt made?After reading that consumers article i seen that Tappan had owned O'Keefe and Merritt.
Tappan is very rare now around these parts.

Pat

 

[kreftgr]

I know that Tappan made at least some of their own ranges in the lata 50's early 60's because some of the Coronado ranges were made by Tappan during that time. I don't know how they came together other than they are both owned, or at least the rights to the names, by Electrolux now. Glen.

 

[agiflow-action]

Thanks for the response Glen.It is hard to keep track of who did what for who and who bought out who.
I believe Tappan was bought out by WCI in the late 70's,but didn't actually start producing their ranges until 1987.I probably have that all wrong,I am just going by memory from an old consumer reports from 87.
Can anyone give me info on the year of my Tappan gas range?
Model and serial # are: 30-2662-66/11307-86450146. Thank you for any info.

Pat

 

[laundromat]

tappan/o'keefe & merritt

Just like the spice companies Mccormick/Schilling ("McCormick in the east,Schilling in the west."Tappan and O'Keefe & Merritt were sister companies and Tappan was available east of the Mississippi,O&M was available west of the Mississippi.

 

[goatfarmer]

In the days of identical WCI offerings,I've seen both Tappan,and O'Keefe & Merritt refrigerators.Indistinguishable from their White/Westinghouse-Gibson-Kelvinator sisters.

 

[agiflow-action]

Such a shame

It is sad that a company like Tappan is no longer a big name in cooking.It seems all these aquisitions do nothing but ruin the reputations of once trusted names in appliances.
I had been looking to replace our stove several months back,....but after i went out to see what offerings their were in the stores i was dissapointed.I am glad i didn't go with a new stove.The Tappan i have now is either an early or mid 80's at the latest.The solid chrome and cooktop light are things we just don't see anymore.Sad really
If and when I do replace the Tappan,I would like one of the Bosch 30" ranges that are out,...very solid and attractive.Plus 15,000 btu's doesn't hurt either.

 

[david]

yes, what a shame!

All the quality appliances I remember growing up are no longer made. ceo's and stockholders' demands are to blame for the changes we have seen in the past 30 or more years. When GM "dumped" Frigidaire in 1979, the first thing I thought of is what if they drop the famous washers? Well look now. I certainly didn't mean to be prophetic, but now the government wants to make the machines more water and energy efficient. It's going to turn every appliance manufacturer topsy-turvy again. Oh yes- tappan and O'keefe and Merritt were fine stoves, among the best if not the best. But as long as craziness and lunacy reign in this business (IMO anyway) I don't see products you can count on for decades being offered. Sorry, I got carried away here, but its tough watching these things happen.