KitchenAid
Partly verifiedKitchenAid isn't doing enough to protect workers: there's no proof workers earn a living wage, and unions and workers' rights are heavily restricted in China.
Last researched 7 October 2026
Not doing enough. Workers in the supply chain are likely underpaid, unprotected or in danger, and in the worst cases face forced or child labour. Look for a better-graded alternative. What this grade means
Good: 1 of 5
- Pays a living wage
- Respects worker rights
- Full supply chain audit, or made only in countries with rigorous labour standards
- No child or forced labour findings
- Publishes where its products are made (supplier list, named farms or its own factories)
Great: 0 of 3
- Pays beyond a living wage
- Finds and fixes problems, or invests directly in workers' communities
- Actively empowers workers
Needs all Good requirements plus two of these.
Red flags: 1
- Hidden or unaudited supply chain (no certification or documentation, or major production in countries with poor worker rights without independent audits)
Where it's made
| Country | Worker rights | Legal wages | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States 50% | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| China 50% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Country conditions from the ITUC Global Rights Index, Global Slavery Index and living wage benchmarks. Certifications and audits can raise a company above its countries' baseline.
Why this grade
- Timber, cotton textiles and ceramics carry moderate raw-material risk; illegal logging is linked to forced labour in some regions.
- Modern slavery statement
KitchenAid stand mixers are assembled at Whirlpool's own factory in Greenville, Ohio, while most other KitchenAid small appliances such as toasters, kettles, coffee makers and blenders are made in China; the China factories are not named. Whirlpool says it ran 271 supplier code of conduct audits in 2024 and found no forced or child labour in its 2025 Canadian report, but it does not publish a supplier list, audit findings by factory or any living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Found | Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited has published modern slavery statements each year from 2019 to its statement for 2023. View ↗ |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Unclear | No Whirlpool or KitchenAid Australia statement was identified on the Australian register. View ↗ |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Found | Whirlpool has a profile with supply chain items and has responded to 0% of response requests (one request), with no specific labour abuse case listed. View ↗ |
| KnowTheChain | Unclear | No KnowTheChain benchmark score for Whirlpool was identified. View ↗ |
| Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (World Benchmarking Alliance) | Unclear | No Corporate Human Rights Benchmark score for Whirlpool was identified. View ↗ |
Confirmed issues
Problems confirmed by a court, regulator, completed investigation or the company itself. Issues more than 15 years old, or 10–15 years old where the company made amends, are removed. Problems a company finds and publishes itself, and is fixing, are shown but don't count against it.
| When | What happened | Made amends? |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | US workplace safety regulator OSHA has recorded 306 violations across 139 inspections at Whirlpool plants, including penalties at its Marion (Ohio), Findlay (Ohio) and Amana (Iowa) factories between 2023 and 2025, though none involved a fatality. | Not known Penalties were assessed by OSHA; no public account of further remedies for affected workers. |
Sources (7)
- KitchenAid - Wikipedia · archived copy · Owned by Whirlpool since 1986; all stand mixers assembled in Greenville, Ohio; some products made in China.
- Where Are KitchenAid Appliances Made? 2025 Overview · archived copy · Stand mixers assembled in Greenville, Ohio (about 400 workers); toasters, coffee makers, food processors and hand blenders made in China.
- Whirlpool Canada Modern Slavery Report 2025 · archived copy · 262 onsite supplier audits in 2025 using RBA and amfori BSCI standards, corrective action plans for non-compliances, no forced or child labour identified, third-party hotline; no living wage commitmen
- Whirlpool Sustainability Report - Responsible sourcing · archived copy · 271 supplier code of conduct audits in 2024; no supplier list or living wage disclosure.
- Whirlpool UK Appliances Modern Slavery Act Statement for 2023 · archived copy · UK statement: 96 third-party supplier audits in 13 countries in 2023, minor moderate labour risks corrected, no forced labour; UK business moved to Beko Europe in April 2024.
- OSHA record: Whirlpool · archived copy · 139 OSHA inspections, 306 violations and $286,166 in penalties at Whirlpool sites, including Marion OH (2023, 2025), Findlay OH (2024) and Middle Amana IA (2024); no fatalities recorded.
- Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - Whirlpool · archived copy · Company profile lists supply chain and conflict minerals items; 0% response rate to one response request.
Last researched 7 October 2026 · details still being verified. Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Represent this company and think something is wrong? A right-of-reply form is coming soon.