
Roper is owned by Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR), the American appliance manufacturer headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Whirlpool acquired rights to the Roper name for major appliances in 1989 as part of the resolution of a takeover battle between Whirlpool and General Electric for the Roper Corporation. The brand is positioned as a value line of ranges, washers, dryers, and refrigerators.
Parent Company
Acquired
1989
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Roper | Whirlpool Corporation | Wholly owned |
The Roper name in appliances traces to George D. Roper, who took control of the Van Wie Gas Stove Company in Cleveland in 1890. After the Van Wie plant moved to Rockford, Illinois, and passed through trusteeship, Roper became sole owner in 1894. A fire destroyed the facility ten days after he took full ownership; the rebuilt works were renamed the Eclipse Gas Stove Company and later expanded with the Trahern Pump Company, founded in 1857.
Roper sold the stove business to Florence Stove Company of Kankakee, Illinois, in 1957, though the products continued under the George D. Roper name while the parent became Roper Pump Company. The appliance operations subsequently moved through several hands: in 1966 Roper acquired David Bradley Manufacturing Works from Sears; Dexter Corporation acquired the company in 1981; and production moved from Kankakee to a plant in LaFayette, Georgia, in 1982. Electrolux bought Roper's lawn and garden division in 1988.
The brand's modern ownership chapter began with the 1988 Whirlpool-GE takeover battle for Roper Corporation, settled when GE took the factories and Whirlpool took the name for major appliances. Since 1989, Whirlpool has used Roper for its lowest-priced full-size appliances: coil-top and gas ranges, top-load washers and dryers, and basic refrigerators.
Under Whirlpool, Roper has never been a marketing-led brand. It functions as the corporation's opening price point line, sold primarily through mass merchants including Lowe's, home improvement warehouses, and regional dealers to landlords, first-time buyers, and budget replacements. The line is periodically refreshed but deliberately kept mechanically simple, favoring proven platforms over new technology.
What brands does Whirlpool Corporation own?
Whirlpool Corporation owns eight major appliance brands: Whirlpool (mass-market), KitchenAid (premium kitchen), JennAir (luxury), Maytag (value-oriented), Amana (budget), Brastemp (Brazil), Consul (Brazil), and InSinkErator (garbage disposals). The company divested its EMEA major appliance business, including Indesit and Hotpoint, in April 2024, retaining a 25% stake in Beko Europe B.V.
Is Whirlpool Corporation publicly traded?
Yes, Whirlpool Corporation is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WHR. The company has been publicly traded since 1956. Marc Bitzer serves as Chairman and CEO, and Roxanne Warner serves as Chief Financial Officer.
When was Whirlpool Corporation founded?
Whirlpool Corporation was founded in 1911 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, originally as the Upton Machine Company, producing electric motor-driven wringer washers. The company was renamed Whirlpool Corporation in 1950 and has over a century of experience in appliance manufacturing and innovation.
Where is Whirlpool Corporation headquartered?
Whirlpool Corporation is headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA. The company operates 35 manufacturing and technology research centers across the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, with close to 90% of sales in the Americas.
What were Whirlpool's 2025 financial results?
In FY2025, Whirlpool reported net sales of $15.5 billion, down 6.5% from $16.6 billion in FY2024, primarily due to the EMEA divestiture and India deconsolidation. GAAP net earnings were $318 million, or $5.66 per diluted share, a significant improvement from a GAAP net loss of $323 million in FY2024. Ongoing EBIT was $729 million with a 4.7% margin, and ongoing EPS was $6.23.
What is Whirlpool's 2026 outlook?
In Q2 2026, Whirlpool revised its full-year 2026 guidance to net sales of approximately $15.0 billion, GAAP EPS of $2.25 to $2.75, and ongoing EPS of $2.50 to $3.00, reflecting increased interest expense from a new $2 billion ABL facility and $2 billion in secured bonds. The company expects cash provided by operating activities of approximately $700 million and free cash flow of over $300 million.
What are Whirlpool's main business segments?
Whirlpool operates through three segments: MDA North America ($10.2 billion in FY2025 net sales), MDA Latin America ($3.6 billion), and SDA Global ($1.7 billion). MDA North America is the largest segment, selling major appliances under the Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, and Amana brands. SDA Global includes InSinkErator and KitchenAid small appliances.
How many employees does Whirlpool Corporation have?
Whirlpool Corporation employs approximately 41,000 people across 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. The company is a major employer in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and maintains significant employment across its manufacturing network in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil.
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whirlpool | Michigan (parent) | 1893 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Arcelik | Türkiye | 1883 | Premium | United states | All Genders | |
| Crosley Group | USA | 1976 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Samsung Electronics | United States | 1965 | Luxury | United states | All Genders | |
| Miele | Germany | 1899 | Luxury | Global | All Genders | |
| Whirlpool | United States | 1934 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
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Market Positioning: Roper competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Magic Chef is privately owned, unlike Roper which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Furniture AppliancesOwned by Crosley Group, Inc.
Home appliance brand marketed by private North Carolina company Crosley Group, Inc. and sold exclusively through independent dealers across the Americas.
Crosley is privately owned, unlike Roper which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Furniture AppliancesOwned by Resident Home LLC
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Rooms To Go is privately owned, unlike Roper which is under a publicly traded parent company.
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