Kenmore Expands Home Ecosystem with Drainvac Central Vacuums

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – April 07, 2026 – Kenmore, a cornerstone of American homes for over a century, has announced a significant expansion of its cleaning portfolio by entering the central vacuum category. The company revealed a new licensing partnership with Drainvac, a Canadian-based manufacturer with more than four decades of specialized expertise in built-in vacuum systems. The move signals a strategic push to broaden Kenmore's whole-home ecosystem and marks its entry into a growing market segment driven by consumer demand for health, convenience, and integrated home solutions.

Under the terms of the agreement, Drainvac will design, manufacture, and distribute a new line of Kenmore-branded central vacuum systems. The products are slated to launch in the third quarter of 2026 and will be available across North America and select international markets, leveraging Drainvac's established global distribution network.

A Strategic Pivot for a Legacy Brand

This partnership is a clear illustration of Kenmore's evolving business model, which increasingly relies on strategic licensing to expand into adjacent product categories. Rather than building manufacturing capabilities from the ground up, the brand is leveraging its powerful name recognition by partnering with established experts who bring deep engineering and production knowledge. This approach allows the legacy brand to remain agile, responsive to market trends, and focused on delivering the performance and reliability its customers expect.

"This is exactly the kind of partnership we look for, category expertise, shared values, and a clear opportunity to bring Kenmore into more homes in more meaningful ways," said Matthew Robbins, Kenmore & Brands CEO, in the official announcement. The collaboration reflects a broader strategy to grow Kenmore's presence across the home by identifying categories where the brand has clear consumer trust and partnering with best-in-class manufacturers.

For a brand that has been a fixture in millions of homes with its refrigerators, washers, and dryers, this move into built-in cleaning systems is a logical extension. It allows Kenmore to deepen its relationship with homeowners, moving from individual appliances to integrated, whole-home infrastructure. This licensing model serves as a modern blueprint for how heritage brands can reinvent themselves, maintain relevance, and compete in a rapidly changing retail and home technology landscape.

Tapping into a Growing Market

The timing of Kenmore's entry into the central vacuum market is opportune. The global central vacuum system market is on a significant upward trajectory, with some industry reports projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 8% and a market value expected to surpass $2.3 billion by 2033. This growth is fueled by several powerful consumer trends.

A primary driver is the heightened focus on indoor air quality. Unlike portable vacuums that can recirculate dust and allergens, central vacuum systems typically vent exhaust air outside the living space. This results in a more thorough removal of pollutants, a key selling point for health-conscious families and individuals with allergies. Many modern systems, a feature likely to be included in the new Kenmore line, incorporate advanced HEPA filtration to capture up to 99.97% of microscopic particles.

Furthermore, homeowners are increasingly seeking convenience and long-term value. Central vacuums are known for their superior suction power, quieter operation (as the motor is housed in a remote location like a garage or basement), and durability, often lasting for decades. The trend of home renovations, retrofits, and new construction provides a steady stream of opportunities for installing these built-in systems, which add to a home's resale value. The integration with smart home technology, offering features like remote monitoring and automated controls, is also making these systems more appealing to a new generation of tech-savvy homeowners.

The Power of Partnership: Brand Meets Expertise

This collaboration is a quintessential example of symbiotic partnership, merging Kenmore's powerful brand equity with Drainvac's specialized manufacturing prowess. Founded in 1982 in Canada, Drainvac has built a formidable reputation over 40 years for its robust and innovative central vacuum systems. The company is credited with pioneering the first central vacuum with a patented automatic drain, the "Automatik" model, which can handle both dry debris and liquids and flushes waste directly into the sewer system.

Drainvac's products are engineered for durability, often using corrosion-resistant polypropylene and steel components. Their reputation for performance is built on powerful motors, quiet operation, and a diverse product line that serves residential, commercial, and even industrial clients. By entrusting the design and manufacturing to Drainvac, Kenmore ensures its new product line will be built on a foundation of proven technology and quality.

"Drainvac has built its reputation over more than 40 years by engineering central vacuum systems that are simply built to last," stated Philippe Latour, President and CEO of Drainvac. "Partnering with Kenmore, a brand that shares those same values of performance and reliability, is a natural fit." This alignment of values is critical for a licensing deal, as it ensures the new products will live up to the promise of the Kenmore name.

Navigating a Competitive Landscape

Kenmore will not be entering an empty field. The central vacuum market has several established players, including global appliance giant Electrolux and specialized brands like Beam, NuTone, and fellow Canadian manufacturer Cyclo Vac. These competitors have carved out strong positions with innovations such as Beam's digital monitoring screens, NuTone's ultra-quiet technology, and Cyclo Vac's durable all-metal units. Success will require a compelling product and a clear value proposition.

The Kenmore-Drainvac alliance is well-positioned to compete. The combination of Kenmore's century-long reputation for reliability—a name trusted by generations of American consumers—with Drainvac's cutting-edge engineering creates a formidable market entry. Consumers who may be unfamiliar with specialized brands like Drainvac will immediately recognize and trust the Kenmore logo, potentially lowering the barrier to adoption.

Distribution will be key. The partnership will leverage Drainvac's existing network of specialized dealers and installers, who are crucial for both new construction and retrofitting existing homes. This established channel provides the technical expertise required for proper installation, a critical component of customer satisfaction in this category. By combining a trusted brand, proven technology, and a ready-made distribution network, the new Kenmore line of central vacuums is poised to capture significant market share and offer a powerful new choice for homeowners seeking a superior, integrated cleaning solution.