Kenwood Limited

Not to be confused with the Japan-based manufacturer of audio equipment, Kenwood Corporation.
Kenwood
Product type Small appliance
Owner De'Longhi
Country United Kingdom
Introduced 1947
Markets International
Tagline Create More
Website Official website
A historic Kenwood Chef

Kenwood is a leading kitchen appliances manufacturer, operating in 44 countries. It has British roots, and is owned by the De’Longhi Group. Kenwood designs, produces and sells kitchen appliances including stand mixers, blenders, food processors, kettles and toasters.

The company was founded by Kenneth Maynard Wood in 1947 in the town of Woking, originally beginning manufacturing in his garage. His ethos was to help liberate women in the kitchen by designing labour saving devices. In 1962 the company outgrew its original factory space and moved to Havant where they still maintain operations.

History

1940’s

The first Kenwood product was a pioneering toaster invented by Kenneth Wood, which was brought to market in 1947, known as the A100. It was the first of its kind in Europe to allow for bread to be toasted on both sides without being touched.

1950-1960’s

Three years later in 1950, the first edition of the Kenwood Chef Kitchen machine was launched at the Ideal Home Exhibition. The machine was developed to deal with the most difficult kitchen tasks, and had 3 outlets with different power speeds to allow consumers to prepare numerous recipes. Within a week of release, superstore Harrods had completely sold out. By the 1960’s the Kenwood Chef saw success all over the world.

1970-1980’s

Kenwood were also the first manufacturer to introduce electric speed control on their products, a function adopted in 1973. The company’s first food processor was launched in 1979. By 1989, the business had invested in their first factory based in China in order to keep up with growing demand.

1990’s-2000’s

In 1997, at the age of 81, Kenneth Wood passed away following a short illness. By now, the company has more than 80 international distributors. Kenwood joined the De’Longhi Group in 2000.

In 2009, Kenwood launched the Cooking Chef, the first kitchen machine with a built-in induction heating element which cooks and mixes simultaneously.

The original designer of the Kenwood Chef, Kenneth Grange, was granted a knighthood in 2013 for his services to design.[1]

Products

Kenwood’s products include the following categories:

• Kitchen machines

• Food and drink preparation (Food processors, blenders, juicers)

• Breakfast (Kettles, toasters, coffee makers)

The alcoholic Irish cream drink Baileys was first developed using a Kenwood mixer. [2]

Design & Engineering

The company is now synonymous with high-quality products, lasting throughout family generations. According to the BBC, Chef machines are still being used 40 years later.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Kenneth Grange". Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Baileys turns 40". Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Built to last, not surpassed: Your old appliances still on the go". Retrieved January 20, 2015.

External links