When you’re in the market for white goods and appliances, there are a few key names that are likely to stand out. The market is largely dominated by a select number of iconic and world-recognised brands. Perhaps few of these brands are quite as well recognised as Hotpoint, responsible for manufacturing some of the UK’s favourite fridges, dishwashers, and countless other appliances.

But much like many of its competitors, the Hotpoint company actually has quite a lengthy history, and a surprisingly humble origin story. Have you ever wondered how the Hotpoint name became quite so prolific? Want to know where the internationally recognised brand got its start? And how its products have changed to get us to the modern appliances we now recognise today? Then you’ve come to the right place.

The Reliant tech experts have cracked open the history books, to find out how the Hotpoint company got its start, and to discover what it took for the company to become as recognised as it is today. Read on down below to see what we found out!

The Origin Of Hotpoint

1905 – The Hot Point Iron

The first product ever produced by the Hotpoint company was a hand iron! In 1905, the American inventor Earl Richardson created one of the world’s first-ever electric irons. This would prove to be quite significant, as up until then, irons had been heated up using entirely manual means. For instance, many early irons made use of charcoal to produce heat. Other irons were heated directly by placing them atop a bulky stove.

While early irons were certainly effective, having been in use for centuries, they often proved to be quite bulky, and very unwieldy. Richardson’s electric iron set out to change that, by streamlining the process of generating heat.

The Hotpoint company name originates from the company’s first product, which was an iron. This iron was unique becasue the heating element was found in the tip. The iron had a “Hot Point”! These early irons sold incredibly well.

Richardson’s iron contained a heating element at the very tip of the device. This meant that the majority of the heat produced by the iron was found right at the tip. The tip of this iron was known as the “Hot Point”. The unique tip of the iron would prove to be its unique defining feature and a selling point for the company moving forward. The hot point of the iron made it easier to work around buttons and other accessories while ironing clothes.

1906 – The Pacific Electric Heating Co.

The Hot Point iron proved to be a quick sales success. Soon, these unique irons were being adopted into homes across the United States. Recognising the success of the product, and seeking a way to speed up production, Richardson established the Pacific Electric Heating Company in 1906. This company produced a massive number of products, including electric cookers, and other useful household appliances, out of its Ontario-based factory. However, still the most popular of the company’s products was its unique Hot Point iron.

1908 – Electric Toasters

Throughout the 1900s, the company massively expanded the number of products it offered. One of the new products offered by the brand was a relatively new innovation. The company released one of the world’s first electric toasters. Though not the very first electric toaster ever released, it did prove to be one of the first truly successful models.

1911 – The Hotpoint Brand Is Born

Recognising the immense sales success of the Hot Point iron, the company quickly changed its name to Hotpoint in 1911. Of course, it goes without saying that this proved to be a successful move. Not only is the Hotpoint name still widely recognised today, but it also helped the company to improve its early success.

Now, with an easily recognisable brand name, the company could more easily draw attention to its fast-selling Hot Point iron. Naturally, sales of the product continued to improve year on year!

1918 – A Merger With General Electric

In 1918, the Hotpoint company would make a historic move in its collaboration with General Electric. General Electric had long been one of the USA’s leading manufacturers of appliances and white goods. However, despite the company’s success, it had yet to prove successful internationally, especially within the blossoming UK market.

In 1918, General Electric invited the Hotpoint company to merge with its Heating Device division. After striking up a deal, the General Electric company would use the Hotpoint name to market its goods in the UK!

This would strike up a strong relationship between both Hotpoint and General Electric. A relationship that still continues to this day.

1927 – General Electric Buys Hotpoint

Following the immense success of the collaboration between the two companies, General Electric sought to purchase the Hotpoint company outright. In 1927, General Electric purchased the company outright. This served to further strengthen Hotpoints brand identity. Now, it could rely on the backing of the General Electric company to help market products in burgeoning markets, and to grow in popularity throughout the United States.

The 1930s Onward

Following the successful merger with General Electric, and the company’s further expansion into other markets, the company sought to expand its product offering even further. Over the following decades, Hotpoint would release a number of new products.

For instance, Hotpoint dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators were all produced over the decades. These products would prove immensely successful, and still are to this day!

In fact, Hotpoint was at one point so influential that it was the largest manufacturer of white goods and kitchen appliances in the UK.

2001 – A Change Of Ownership

Hotpoint and General Electric’s powerful relationship would prove fruitful across the decades. However, with the General Electric company beginning to lose steam in the late 1990s, and becoming defunct in 1999, the Hotpoint company saw a slight shift in power.

The Hotpoint company has been passed between numerous owners across the decades. For instance, throughout much of the 20th century, the company was owned by the once-powerful General Electric company!

In 1999, the General Electric company was folded into the Marconi company, which was the UK branch of General Electric’s telecommunications division. However, Marconi would then quickly be taken over by the world-recognised Indesit brand.

Indesit remained in power for a few years, until the Indesit brand itself was purchased by Hotpoint in 2001 for a tidy £120 million sum! Now, Hotpoint commanded its own incredible empire of white goods and appliances!

In the years following this, Hotpoint has seen numerous changes in ownership. Luckily, the company has always proven profitable, so it’s likely to stick around for many years to come!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Owns Hotpoint Now?

Hotpoint has been subject to numerous ownership changes throughout the entirety of its long history. The company is currently owned by the Whirlpool corporation. Whirlpool purchased the company in 2014. Hotpoint was, at one time, owned by the powerful General Electric company. However, in 1999, the General Electric company became defunct, and thus lost ownership of Hotpoint!

Are Hotpoint Appliances Good Quality?

Absolutely. Hotpoint appliances are renowned for their high quality and longevity. Hotpoint is also a highly-regarded brand. The company is renowned for its responsiveness when responding to customer queries. When Hotpoint appliances need to be repaired, you can count on the company to respond and find a solution very quickly!