Introduced by Sears, Roebuck & Co. in 1913, Kenmore began as a sewing machine brand before launching its first washing machine in 1927. It became a staple in American homes, with 1 in 3 households owning a Kenmore appliance at its peak. Kenmore does not manufacture its own products; it has historically functioned as a brand that contracts with major appliance manufacturers to produce appliances to their specifications. The brand was previously a subsidiary of Sears Holdings before the 2018 bankruptcy and 2019 acquisition by Transformco.