Hey guys. When was Whirlpool ahead of their time? Why or why not? Please discuss. In my opinion, it was the direct drive under their own and Kenmore brands.
When was Whirlpool ahead of their time?
- Thread starter gelaundry4ever
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cfz2882
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About 1943 when Whirlpool had designed an automatic washer mechanism that would become the classic belt drives that lasted into the mid-1980s 
What about other washer designs, dryers and dishwashers? What features stood out from everybody else? When did they become the juggernaut?About 1943 when Whirlpool had designed an automatic washer mechanism that would become the classic belt drives that lasted into the mid-1980s
vacerator
Well-known member
Whirlpool dishwasher in the 1960's were good, but Hobart "Kitchen Aid' held the lead I think, but were more expensive. Sears may have actually been selling more. The new Powerclean models around 1970 offered 3 level wash on a few models. Styling was more trendy with slanted consoles and a new latch handle. Competition was fierce though, with new GE Potscrubber models, and Kenmore. Kitchen Aid remained the higher standard.
What about other appliances? How about their laundry? I'd love to know more. I would love to see that trend return but I doubt that would happen.
They became the Juggernaut because of Sears largely. Whirlpool sold most of the machines they made through Sears as the Kenmore brand. Sears easy credit also got more of those machines into people's homes. Sears had a brilliant strategy. Quite possibly had it not been for Sears. The 1900 Corp would have died on the vine so to speak.... There were already more well known established brands.
I'm curious about how big the Whirlpool plant was, considering they claimed to be the largest washer factory in the world. When did they incorporate advanced technology? I am interested to know when their design was ahead of their time. The prime example for me would be the direct drive washer.
Actually, a prime example of being ahead of their time was in 1947 when they came out with the perforated wash basket and neutral drain. Everybody other than speed Queen (North American market) does it now
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What about the advanced technology? I always thought that was a 1980's thing, considering the direct drive platform which was built on a computer-driven assembly line and was called laundry engineered advanced product (LEAP). How many square feet was the plant? When did it grow to the current size of today?
Didn't Whirlpool have a few plants in this country making washing machines?
vacerator
Well-known member
Juggernaut for Washers and dryers yes, but until 1982 DM or Design Manufacturing in Indiana was the maker of Kenmore dishwashers for Sears.
The Clyde Ohio Whirlpool Laundry plant opened sometime after 1955 I believe. Dishwashers are made in Findlay, along with some dryers still Ranges in Marion Ohio.
The Clyde Ohio Whirlpool Laundry plant opened sometime after 1955 I believe. Dishwashers are made in Findlay, along with some dryers still Ranges in Marion Ohio.
When did Whirlpool incorporate robots in Clyde? That too seems to me that Whirlpool already would've been getting into the computerization of manufacturing. Or was it in the 2000's that this really took off?
Another thing to mention was that Whirlpool claimed to be the world leader in laundry. How was this possible? Why did Kenmore have higher end features first before Whirlpool had them later?
vacerator
Well-known member
No, Whirlpool had all push button models along with Kenmore, just fewer. Suds saver too.
Wow! You would've thought Whirlpool would've had more features than Kenmore since it's their own brand. Interesting.
vacerator
Well-known member
Sears designed their consoles. My dad retired from Sears. The high end Whirlpool's were the MK X.
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