Where are Roper Appliances Made?
Quick answer
Roper is a budget brand owned by Whirlpool Corporation, which has owned the Roper name since 1989. Whirlpool makes all of its US residential washers in Clyde, Ohio, and the matching dryers in Marion, Ohio, which is where Roper laundry appliances sold in the US are built. For any other Roper product, check the label on the appliance or the box, which states the country of manufacture.
Roper is one of the less-known names in US appliance stores, mostly because it’s positioned as a no-frills, lower-priced brand.
Who makes Roper appliances?
Whirlpool Corporation. Whirlpool acquired the Roper brand name in 1989, after a bidding contest for the original Roper Corporation in which General Electric took over Roper’s manufacturing business. Roper appliances have been sold under Whirlpool since.
Whirlpool, based in Benton Harbor, Michigan, began in 1911 as the Upton Machine Company and took the Whirlpool name in 1950. Its other brands include Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, JennAir and Affresh, along with brands sold outside the US.
Note that Roper Technologies, a large US industrial company, is a completely separate business that has nothing to do with Roper appliances.
Where are Roper appliances made?
Roper is mainly a laundry brand. Whirlpool says it builds all of its residential washers for the US market at its plant in Clyde, Ohio, which it describes as the largest washing machine plant in the world, and the matching dryers in Marion, Ohio. Roper washers and dryers sold in the US come from that laundry operation.
Whirlpool’s other US plants include:
| Plant | Main products |
|---|---|
| Clyde, Ohio | Washers |
| Marion, Ohio | Dryers |
| Findlay, Ohio | Dishwashers |
| Amana, Iowa | Refrigeration |
| Tulsa, Oklahoma | Freestanding and slide-in ranges |
| Cleveland, Tennessee | Cooking products |
| Ottawa, Ohio | Products including freezers |
Product lines move between plants and countries over time, so for any specific Roper appliance the most reliable answer is on the appliance itself: the rating plate (often inside the door or lid, or on the back) and the box state where it was made.
Is Roper a good brand?
Roper is Whirlpool’s entry-level brand. What that usually means in practice:
- Lower prices than Whirlpool, Maytag or KitchenAid models.
- Simple controls and fewer cycles and features. Roper washers are mostly traditional top-loaders.
- Whirlpool’s parts and service network, so parts are widely available.
It suits buyers who want a basic, straightforward machine at a low price, such as landlords or people furnishing a first home. If you want more cycles, larger capacity, steam options or better water and energy efficiency, you’ll usually need to step up to another brand or line.
Compare efficiency before you buy. Check whether the model is ENERGY STAR certified and look at its yellow EnergyGuide label, since a cheaper machine can cost more to run over its life. Our clothes washer running costs and clothes dryer running costs pages compare ENERGY STAR certified models by capacity.
How to make a Roper washer last
How long any washer lasts depends a lot on how it’s used and looked after. To get the most from it:
- Don’t overload it. Overloading strains the motor, suspension and bearings.
- Use the right amount of detergent, and HE detergent if the manual says so. Too much leaves residue and smells.
- Leave the lid open after washing so the drum can dry out.
- Run a monthly cleaning cycle with a washer cleaner, following the manual.
- Check the hoses every year or so for bulges or cracks, and replace them if worn. Braided steel hoses are more resistant to bursting.
- Keep it level. An unlevel washer shakes and walks during the spin cycle, which wears parts faster.