Roper® are famous for their affordable, long-lasting home appliances — but not much is known about the brand itself.
You might own a Roper product but have you ever wondered where Roper appliances are made? Generally, all Roper appliances are created by the Whirlpool Corporation, whose headquarters are in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Whirlpool has a number of different factories across the United States including Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Massachusetts.
Interested in buying a Roper product or just want to know more about household brands? We’ve run through common questions about your favorite household manufacturer.
Who makes Roper appliances?
In 1989, Whirlpool bought the Roper brand. Since then, its been manufacturing Roper appliances at its many factories across the United States.
Whirlpool is probably one of the world’s leading appliance brands — plus it owns tons of other well-known brands like:
- Gladiator GarageWorks
- Estate
- Brastemp
- Bauknecht
- Ignis
- Indesit
- Consul
- Jenn-Air
- Roper
- Amanda
- KitchenAid
- Maytag
Whirlpool’s website also lists Diqua, Affresh, Acros, and Yummly brands. That’s quite a lot!
Whirlpool was founded in 1911 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States, where it’s still headquartered there to this day. The appliance company began as the Upton Machine Co., named after the founders Louis Upton and Emory Upton.
The Upton Machine Co. produced electrically-powered washing machines for the Sears company. Eventually, by 1950 the company renamed itself as the Whirlpool Corporation.
Today, Whirlpool Corporation creates and distributes home appliances that are sold around the world. The company makes every kind of domestic appliance from washing machines to fridges — it’s likely for any modern household to have some kind of Whirlpool product in their home.
Most Whirlpool products are in its nine U.S. manufacturing plants or the five plants it has in Mexico. That means when you buy a Whirlpool product, it’s likely you’re supporting an American-made company and American jobs.
Roper appliances are made in the same factories as Whirlpool appliances which include Clyde, Ohio for washers, Marion, Ohio for dryers, and Findlay, Ohio for dishwashers. So most Roper products are made in the state of Ohio.
Is Roper a good brand?
We’re often asked whether Roper is a good brand. Larger home appliances are expensive, so it’s understandable that people want to make sure they’re getting the most from their money.
From what we’ve found, Roper is a brand as steadfast and trustworthy as Whirpool itself. Some see Roper as Whirlpool’s bargain brand, but that doesn’t mean it’s no good.
People often praise their Roper washing machines for being longlasting, easy to use, and American-made.
However, there are always outliers. Mainly, Roper washer/dryers are often less expensive than other washer/dryers, and that might be down to the below-average stain removal found with most machines.
And of course, a cheaper price means a Rope will probably cost a lot more to run than the average machine. Consider your budget requirements before opting for the cheaper Roper machine.
Do you want to save money in the long run or just need a washing machine here and now?
We can’t say for certain whether you’ll consider Roper a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ brand, it’s all down to customer experience. But overall, most people seem quite happy with their Roper machines — they’ve paid for that level of service.
How long do Roper washing machines last?
When buying a washing machine, you know this one big purchase will last you a long time.
The real question is, are Roper machines the same?
Well, given Roper’s lower price, it’s expected that you’re not going to have the sturdiest model ever made. Most Roper reviews state that they’ve had the washer/dryer for many years — so longevity is possible.
However, many have complained about recent Roper products falling apart only months or weeks after purchase.
So it seems that for Roper washing machines, it’s about luck of the draw. But once you take care of your washing machine (and don’t plan to wash clothes every hour of every day!) they should last a solid ten or so years.
On average, a brand new washing machine should last about 11 years — it all depends on how you look after it.
Here are a few ways to keep your washing machine running smoothly:
- Keep it clean: Your detergent and softener drawer can get really clogged up if you don’t wash it regularly. It seems like it’d clean itself but it can actually cause major blockages. All you need is some soap, water, and a toothbrush to give it a good rinse down.
- Clean the filter: Of course, you’ll also need to clean the filter, a really important part of your machine. It catches all the fluff, coins, and any debris that could cause serious blockages. All you need to do is pull out any blockages when you take it out, but always make sure your appliance is off before cleaning. And you never know, you might even find a few spare coins while you’re at it!
- Seal and drum: Don’t forget about the inside of the machine. It’s a breeding ground for bacteria, so make sure to give it a thorough rinse down every now and then.
- Keep an eye on the smells: Something smelling off on what should be clean washing? It’s probably the machine needing a clean. Musky, damp smells should indicate when things are going wrong with your machine, don’t ignore them and keep washing!
Are Roper appliances made in the USA?
Roper appliances are made in the same factory as Whirlpool appliances. Each plant has its own main products, here is all you need to know about each of their plants in the U.S.
Of course, Whirlpool Corporation has many more factories around the world. But these are the ones that specifically make Roper products.
Marion, Ohio
Just 20-miles south of Delaware is Whirlpool Corporation’s Marion location. Here, the company churns out tons of dryers. It’s Marion’s largest industrial employer, and the company has a powerful presence in the lives of the community.
Amana, Iowa
The Whirlpool Corporation’s leading refrigeration plant is in Amana, Iowa, right beside the iconic Amana Colonies. Many employees commute here from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Any Roper refrigerators would be manufactured here.
Fall River, Massachusetts
In July 2015, Whirlpool Corporation bought the American Dryer Corporation: a company producing coin-operated industrial and specialty laundry equipment. Now, the factory is Whirlpool’s largest plant in the world — dedicated to manufacturing dryers and washing machines. In fact, this factory can create a washing machine in under 10 minutes.
If you have a Roper washing machine or dryer, this is probably where it’s been made!
Cleveland, Tennessee
Whirlpool’s factory in Cleveland creates most Whirlpool cooking products. It’s one of the newest plants in America, having only operated since 2012. Roper hasn’t delved into the world of kitchen appliances, so this factory is strictly Whirlpool.
Findlay, Ohio
Findlay was Whirlpool Corporation’s first plant. Here, they specialize in a range of different products, but today, they mainly focus on dishwasher production. All Roper dishwashers are made here.
Ottawa, Ohio
At Ottawa, one of Whirlpool Corporation’s many Ohio plants, you’ll find all compact freezers and chest freezers in production here.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, Whirlpool’s Tusla Operations build freestanding and slide-in ranges of electrical ovens.
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