Thread Number: 3057
Whirlpool buys Maytag 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 79696   8/22/2005 at 23:03 (6,820 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        

laundromat's profile picture
Today,Maytag, along with all of its affiliates, was purchased by Whirlpool Corporation for approx.$2.7 Billion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Post# 79707 , Reply# 1   8/23/2005 at 02:06 (6,820 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)        

Well, the Maytag family can always go back to making beer and salad dressing.

Post# 79713 , Reply# 2   8/23/2005 at 02:36 (6,820 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
amazed

 that the FTC let it go through, what with anti-trust laws. Or maybe there are "conditions" like WP will have to sell some of the brand names

Post# 79714 , Reply# 3   8/23/2005 at 02:48 (6,820 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
It ain't over

 till the Fat Lady sings.

"Triton has five business days to decide whether to increase its offer. Under its agreement, Triton can terminate its merger agreement with Maytag immediately."

"Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool also has agreed to pay the $40 million that Maytag would be required to pay the Triton group to walk away from that deal."

Post# 79715 , Reply# 4   8/23/2005 at 03:05 (6,820 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
I stand corrected

 It's a done deal, WP paid the $40,000 penalty for Maytag pulling outof the Triton deal. This now makes WP largest appliance manufacturer inthe world, passing up Electrolux.

Post# 79729 , Reply# 5   8/23/2005 at 07:42 (6,820 days old) by washaholic ()        

I think eventually the maytag name will disappear

Post# 79735 , Reply# 6   8/23/2005 at 08:12 (6,820 days old) by Mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
Ok Folks

 mayken4now's profile picture
We all know our take on Maytag vintage appliances and Maytag's name.

Let's try to see if perhaps something good will come out of this one. After all, we all like Whirlpool as well.

They would not pay 2.7 billion to discard it. They would not have had any interest if that was the case.

How about my new "MayPool"

Steve

Post# 79737 , Reply# 7   8/23/2005 at 08:15 (6,820 days old) by westyslantfront ()        

Well, I am glad that Whirlpool got Maytag over Haier. Now it remains to be seen what will happen. I think WP should discard all the cheap spin offs such as magic chef, admiral, etc. and just concentrate on a good QUALITY Maytag for which their name is known. Time will tell what the outcome will be.

Post# 79742 , Reply# 8   8/23/2005 at 08:44 (6,820 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
I'm also happy that Whirlpool snagged Maytag, especially given the other companies who were bidding. I just hope they don't badge regular WP washers with a Maytag label. That would be dull.

Post# 79750 , Reply# 9   8/23/2005 at 09:38 (6,820 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
Now, this makes sense with the other thread that they are going to start selling Kenmore outside the Sears stores. If so, I bet they discontinue the Whirlpool name, and just sell Kenmore and Maytag.

Post# 79764 , Reply# 10   8/23/2005 at 12:06 (6,820 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)        

toggleswitch's profile picture
OR ...how is this one... ready.


Now that WP has a market share that was Maytags' (and Amana's) they dont NEED Sears anymore.

Maybe that is why Sears is going to sell outside its stores.

Imagine if Sears went to Electrolux or GE for its washing machines when WP tells them to bugger off?

Well, fellow North Americans. The W&D insdustry as we know it is officially over between this, and federal water-effiicency laws that are to kick-in imminently.


Post# 79770 , Reply# 11   8/23/2005 at 12:23 (6,820 days old) by agiflow ()        

I hope Sears never goes to electrolux for their full size TL washers.....that's all we need is another line of those indexing tub machines let loose on the public.

Post# 79771 , Reply# 12   8/23/2005 at 12:41 (6,820 days old) by agiflow ()        

That would be something Steve if WP and Sears split off. The two companies have been together since 1916, when WP was known as Upton machine company.

I don't have stats, but i have seen FAR more WP machines branded under the KM name than their own label. But in this day and age who knows what will happen. I would hate to see the two break up.

Pat

Post# 79779 , Reply# 13   8/23/2005 at 13:26 (6,820 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
WP couldn't go it alone without Sears. They'd go under. Even with the Maytag name. No, I think it is much more likely that WP as a brand name goes away, Kenmore takes WP's marketshare, and then they compete with themselves and the Maytag name.

So stupid...

Post# 79782 , Reply# 14   8/23/2005 at 14:06 (6,820 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)        

toggleswitch's profile picture
WOW... No WP.

*GULP*

Post# 79783 , Reply# 15   8/23/2005 at 14:10 (6,820 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
I couldn't imagine doing away with Kenmore/Sears. Mother of one of my coworkers was at the office a few days ago, said she's going to buy a new washer. I suggested taking a look at F&P at Lowe's. She was interested, but said "I've always had Sears [Kenmore]."

Be interesting to see what happens with KitchenAid.

In any case, something ought to be done about this monochrome *everything* looking the same situation - carbon copies, virtually. Sometimes I can't tell on first glance, or even 2nd or 3rd, what brand are the sale offerings in the Sunday circulars. When a typical "I just want a new washer/dryer" consumer goes shopping and is met with the rows of offerings, they all look the same. There's nothing really to draw him from one machine to another, other than the brand label itself. Or is that what people want nowadays?

Post# 79815 , Reply# 16   8/23/2005 at 18:00 (6,820 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Interesting! I wonder what the outcome will be...I agree with Peter that the WP brand label will eventually go away and it will just be Kenmore and Maytag.

I know some of you were joking, but it is quite possible that the "new" Maytags will use drive couplers. At least it's better than the mucho-plastic Norgetags they're making now...

Post# 79823 , Reply# 17   8/23/2005 at 18:52 (6,820 days old) by Brent-Aucoin ()        

Well,
Who would have ever thought that this would have happend? I mean, if you would have said this in the late 70's or even 80's that one day Whirlpool would own Maytag, everyone would have laughed.
As far as the Whirlpool name going away...I don't think that will ever happen. This is, and has always been a huge name. Worldwide. Not just here in the States. I don't think that would ever happen.
I would say that if they keep the Maytag name alive and kicking, they will do well, all the way around. I really think that 3/4 of the world, won't even know that this sale happend. When Whirlpool starts building a quality Maytag, and Consumer Reports rates it well, they will get back on the map, and Whirlpool will have so much power, it will be amazing.
Aside from Maytag building crappy machines for over 10 years, they also had terrible management. That is the part that makes me angry. These punks came in, made their big fat salaries for many years, and could have not cared less for Maytag, and the shape it was in. It was management that was saying we can get away with cheap parts, and invest our money saved in even more crap, and build our empire. Well, if you ask me, they knew from the beginning that it would never work out. Sure, there was huge savings in the beginning, and I bet all of these punks were getting huge bonus proffits left and right, then the other shoe fell, and well, you know the rest.
I just hope it all works out for the Maytag name.
I am not worried about Whirlpool at all. They are doing great, no matter what name they sell under, and they always will. Good management.
My thoughts.
Brent

Post# 79824 , Reply# 18   8/23/2005 at 18:55 (6,820 days old) by arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)        
My two cents!

 Then Kenmore name is not known out of North America. In Europe and Australia and many other places the name Whirlpool is famous and synonynous with washing machines.

Post# 79825 , Reply# 19   8/23/2005 at 19:03 (6,820 days old) by agiflow ()        

I don't see WP dropping their name either. Speculating is fun isn't it?.....I think maybe a name like Admiral will go the way of the dinosaur.

Post# 79826 , Reply# 20   8/23/2005 at 19:08 (6,820 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)        

Hmmmm I wonder if WP is nervous that K-Mart would eventually drop the whole Kenmore appliance line, once it takes over completely. I also doubt that WP has designed any of their machines to withstand popcorn fumes.

Post# 79856 , Reply# 21   8/23/2005 at 21:21 (6,820 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
brands

 I think the KM, WP, and Maytag brands will all go on.

Post# 79871 , Reply# 22   8/23/2005 at 21:47 (6,820 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Whirlpool buys Maytag

 peteski50's profile picture
I am wondering what will happen to JennAir magic chef admiral. Maybe they will be disolved. I hope this will be a positive buy in that the best of everything will be kept. In my openion Maytag made their biggest mistake by cheapening all their products. Even if this doesn't turn out to be to great of move still nothing could ever be as much of a disaster as when wci bought frigidaire!
Peter

Post# 79876 , Reply# 23   8/23/2005 at 21:55 (6,820 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
brands

 At this point, there's nothing to "dissolve", they're just names and can be discontinued at will. It's entirely possible tha WP will sell some of the names, let's say, Jenn-Air, which has a rep for high-end stuff and WP already has a "high-end" division. Or they might change the product line around to eliminate overlapping products, like the car companies have been doing lately.

Post# 79883 , Reply# 24   8/23/2005 at 22:04 (6,819 days old) by Mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

mayken4now's profile picture
You are right Brent!

Steve

Post# 79889 , Reply# 25   8/23/2005 at 22:11 (6,819 days old) by tlee618 ()        

Pete, I agree with you, nothing could top that disaster!! Terry

Post# 79900 , Reply# 26   8/23/2005 at 22:25 (6,819 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)        

There a lots of scenarios of how this will play out. I do agree that one thing Maytag did wrong was to burden itself with the acquisition of Norge/Tragic Chef/Admiral, etc. They probably wanted to expand their offerings to include kitchen appliances and lower end laundry appliances, but would have been better off to not re-brand any of those as Maytag, especially the laundry equipment. I hope Whirlpool won't make the same mistake in reverse.

Post# 79969 , Reply# 27   8/24/2005 at 08:21 (6,819 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        

laundromat's profile picture
Back in the late 70's/early 80's when Maytag bought Admiral,Magic Chef,Hardwick,Dixie-Narco,JennAir,Norge,Fedders,Crosley and Hoover,Their main goal was to be able to broaden their sales and service to the public.Yes they did make quite a number of misstakes but being there (I sell appliances including Maytag and a few of their subsidiaries)and selling Admiral,JennAir,and Magic Chef appliances to many people receiving very few reports or phone calls regarding service problems,my feelings are that so many people missjudge them.Nobody is perfect by any means and I like Whirlpool as well so I am not being biast.I do like the further agitation strokes in the Maytag washers much better as well as the tub spinning with the water in it instead of draining before spinning.I also prefer the belt drive over direct in top loaders.The only direct drive top loaders I ever liked better than belt drive were the Frigidaire Unimatic Trans.and Original Roller Matic trans.washers.I always wonder why GM didn't use the original Roller Matic transies in the 1-18 machines instead of the belt drive.
Anyway,with the tradition,reputation,and legend that Maytag has accomplished and carried on for over a century,I am sure that Whirlpool being the leader by far will take pride in having them contribute to their fine line of household products.I believe that if the merger is complete and Whirlpool's team takes the time to subsidize the different divisions correctly (fixing the problems with Hoover,JennAir,MagicChef,...,etc...)and taking advantage of being able to have them to reach out to a wider market of consumers,this move will exceed all expectations.We'll see what happens.But I will tell you right now,it isn't going to happen over night.

Post# 79976 , Reply# 28   8/24/2005 at 09:23 (6,819 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

petek's profile picture
No way are they going to drop Kenmore, it's their largest customer. They'll keep the Maytag name but eventually there's gonna be some component sharing as will they keep the Whirpool line. Would anyone miss the Roper or Magic Chef name..the Ropers are already badged "by Whirpool" on the control panels. One of those is bound to disappear, but they'll keep one most likely as their value lineup. Ok I'll choose, someone open the door, I'm tossing out Magic Chef and Admiral and whatever else Maytag had along with yesterdays news. I will guess that they'll also keep the Jenn Air nameplate as well for it's TOL kitchen goods appeal . They'll want probably 4 names at the most out there in large appliance stores, Roper (value) Whirpool, Maytag and Jenn Air to cover all the bases and steal as much floor space as they can without overdoing it and retailers figuring they don't want to give that much floor space to one company because they need some for Elux, GE etc

Post# 80019 , Reply# 29   8/24/2005 at 13:26 (6,819 days old) by Brent-Aucoin ()        
Oh, Oh, Oh....

 I wonder about Samsung?
I wonder if they will let their contract run out, then kick them out of the making of the Front Loaders?
I mean, why would Whirlpool need them?
Brent

Post# 80046 , Reply# 30   8/24/2005 at 16:39 (6,819 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
I wonder about Samsung?

peteski50's profile picture
Hi Brent,
I have seen the Samsung and I do like the way it is styled it may be better for them to keep it and pack in the duet. But who knows.
Peter

Post# 80056 , Reply# 31   8/24/2005 at 17:03 (6,819 days old) by FrontLoadFan (Wellfleet, Ma.)        
Maybe Whirlpool Will Preserve Samsung connection?

 New York Times did a big article a little over a month ago. Gest of article was that Whirlpool was going against conventional wisdom in that it was having its (and Kenmore) big front loaders made - not in Mexico, Korea, China - but in Germany! According to the article, Whirlpool had done a cost benefit analysis and concluded that it would be better to use existing facilities in Germany to make the high end front loaders. That the higher labor costs were offset by the advanced equipment and facilities that already were in place there in Germany.

Article went on to explain that for other product lines, including smaller, cheaper front loaders, Whirlpool was going to Mexico to assemble them.

Article also touched on Maytag. Stated that Maytag was at a disadvantage in that so many of its products were made in the United States. They pointed out, however, that Maytag was countering this with its new front loader by having Samsung in South Korea do the manufacturing.

It will be interesting to see what Whirlpool does end up doing. I think if the new Maytag Samsung front loader develops any major glitches (in the same scope as the original Maytag Neptune), it will be history as Whirlpool will want to stick with its own proven technology. If the new Maytag proves to be successful, they might very well want to preserve if the production costs are less than what they can produce their Duet/Kenmore machines. Preserving the Samsung connection could be effective in helping curtail LG's gains in the market place if the Samsung machine is considered an equal to the LG machines in quality. They are both South Korean companies and I have read that Samsung even produces some of their washing machines.

I have had my Maytag Samsung for all of two weeks now and had to have a service call already. Happy to report to fix was easy (an access panel was rattling against the water pump and needed isolation material on it). I love its capacity (you really can wash a King Size comforter), but I know only time will tell how this machine will hold up.

Post# 80088 , Reply# 32   8/24/2005 at 19:48 (6,819 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
brands

 "They'll want probably 4 names at the most out there in large appliance stores, Roper (value) Whirpool, Maytag and Jenn Air"

And where would this leave KA? I would imagine equal to Jenn-Air, but Jenn-Air wouln't have any laundry equipment.

Post# 80185 , Reply# 33   8/25/2005 at 02:01 (6,818 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        
Jaune

 petek's profile picture
yer right.. I was so tired this morning having been up all night..needs a bit of a rethink..hmmm still in all you don't think they're going tto keep all those brands alive do you?
Amana for laundry..no. .. oh to many possibilities my head hurts

Post# 80200 , Reply# 34   8/25/2005 at 07:15 (6,818 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)        

toggleswitch's profile picture
Imagine if MayPool SOLD OFF KA?



Post# 80242 , Reply# 35   8/25/2005 at 11:05 (6,818 days old) by agiflow ()        

Funny how The Great Indoors sells the KA FL washers but not the TL machines. I can't seem to find them anywhere lately.

Post# 80248 , Reply# 36   8/25/2005 at 14:04 (6,818 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
I recently ran across mention on KA's forum (yes they have one) that the Ensemble is currently off the market in preparation for a new model. Can't substantiate it, that's just what I read.

Post# 80277 , Reply# 37   8/25/2005 at 16:23 (6,818 days old) by Joe_in_Philly (Philadelphia, PA, USA)        

joe_in_philly's profile picture
DADoES,

Maybe that is the one previously discussed here or in the Laundry Room, that is supposed to be very expensive, and have a glass touch control panel. I found this mention in a quick web search.

Joe

CLICK HERE TO GO TO Joe_in_Philly's LINK
Post# 80278 , Reply# 38   8/25/2005 at 16:27 (6,818 days old) by Joe_in_Philly (Philadelphia, PA, USA)        

joe_in_philly's profile picture
- The new, stainless steel KitchenAidŽ Pro LineŽ Series washer and dryer for the ultimate cleaning performance, featuring a stainless steel exterior finish and interior drums, and the first glass-encased, touch-sensor user interface controls in laundry.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO Joe_in_Philly's LINK
Post# 80279 , Reply# 39   8/25/2005 at 17:11 (6,818 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
Brands

 Another possibility is that WP will return the acquired names to what they wre originally famous for i.e, Amana will make only refrigeration equipment, Maytag would make only washers, Roper would make only ranges. All those compnies had only relatively recently branched out into the other areas trying to use their name appeal to expand their markets. When most people hear the names "Magic Chef" or"Roper", they think ranges, not washing machines or refrigerators.

Post# 80285 , Reply# 40   8/25/2005 at 18:04 (6,818 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Haven't seen a picture of the KA Pro-Line w/d yet - they are pretty, but will they come in pink? Isn't the MSRP like $7000? Wow, for that money, the dryer better have a "fold" cycle!

What is the little drawer/door under the dryer door? A lint filter - ala vintage Norge? Perhaps a room heater? I know, a hair dryer port!! I knew it would come back in vogue someday!


Post# 80294 , Reply# 41   8/25/2005 at 19:43 (6,818 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
Greg, yes, that's a pull-out filter on the dryer.

I didn't think KA would replace the Ensemble at its original price point with the Pro Line at *that* price point ... but who knows...??!

Post# 80442 , Reply# 42   8/26/2005 at 13:45 (6,817 days old) by agiflow ()        

It seems Whirlpool are very serious about the KA pro line of appliances. A couple of months ago i saw one of the KA pro-line coffe makers fetching over $300 for this thing-albeit all steel constuction.

Toggle feel free to chime in here...we were both there ;)

Post# 80449 , Reply# 43   8/26/2005 at 14:15 (6,817 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)        

toggleswitch's profile picture
SNOBBERY sells......and companies appear to like ridiculously high mark-ups!

My $12 proctor-silex coffee makers does just fine.. AND the drawer that holds the coffee filter pulls out and goes in the DW.

HA! the more upscale coffee-makers have a swing-out piece to hold the coffee that is a PITA to wash.

I am still SO amazed that people ascribe their own worth to flashy stuff they can afford to buy.

SO THERE!

Post# 80481 , Reply# 44   8/26/2005 at 19:40 (6,817 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )        

petek's profile picture
There's plenty of upscaling going on in small appliance land. Waring hs their pro line, Jenn Air has their expensive Atruzzi line. Plenty of choices for everyone. Can't see myself personally spending $300 for a KA toaster that was made in China.

Post# 80498 , Reply# 45   8/26/2005 at 21:15 (6,817 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

I couldn't see $300 for a toaster no matter where it was built.The less expensive ones do well-esp the vintage toasters still out there.It almost seems like these machines are built to look at more than use or imitate commercial-industrial versions used in restuarants and institutions.For that money you could go to a used restuarant equipment supplier and get the REAL super duty toaster!-and for less.

Post# 80745 , Reply# 46   8/29/2005 at 01:04 (6,814 days old) by shanonabc ()        

it was going to happen sooner or later

Post# 81632 , Reply# 47   9/5/2005 at 09:31 (6,807 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)        

toggleswitch's profile picture
Have we heard anything on Whirl-tag's intentions with brand names and product lines?

I also had this revelation. Will top-loaders be available in Canada/Mexico once they are no longer sold here? I don't think hauling one in will be against the law...

ROADTRIP!


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