Once in a while, we still see vestiges of American manufacturing excellence, like Viking Appliances. Few companies can match the quality or status of Viking within the same areas. The company is fighting to keep its place as a homegrown manufacturing giant, as so numerous products are manufactured overseas and imported. Viking products may go for a bit a lot more quick personal loans than its counterparts, but you’ll know where that money went.
Viking Appliances
Viking Appliances got its start when founder Fred Carl was building a home, and his wife desired a commercial style range stove and oven, as outlined by the Viking Appliances website. She had been particularly enamored of the Chambers stove that her mother had owned, and the stainless steel construction of a restaurant stove appealed to him. Thus, Carl set about coming up with a range oven practical and safe enough for the home. There was not anything like it at the time, so he had to come up with it himself.
Kitchens raided by Viking Ranges
It took a number of years of work, but by January of 1987, Fred Carl had gotten approval to manufacture the ranges and began doing so. Viking Ranges are a high end line of kitchen appliances ever since. A permanent factory was finally opened in Greenwood, Miss. the town Fred Carl calls home. Today, Viking products are sold in over 80 countries, and offer high end refrigerators, grills, and even high quality cutlery.
Struggles with the modern world
Viking Appliances, like many companies that manufacture their own products, have felt effects of the recession. They aren’t in imminent danger, but there has been ill effects. A recent MSNBC article detailed the struggle of the business since the housing crash that bankrupted Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac saw demand for luxury ranges drop off. Output dropped to half of 2005 levels, though the company doesn’t disclose financial information. Viking Appliances and companies like it are rare optimistic examples of American businesses. Let’s hope they can stick around for a lot longer.
Sources
Viking Site
http://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/global/content.jsp?id=cat30019
Chambers Oven
http://www.chamberstoves.net/
MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37094337/ns/business-us_business/
