Craft refrigerators: who produces, where they assemble and how to distinguish the original

Refrigerators Craft is a relatively new brand on the Russian market, which quickly gained popularity due to its combination of affordable prices and modern features. However, many buyers still wonder: who actually produces this equipment? Unlike well-promoted brands like Samsung or LG, information about Craft is often contradictory - somewhere it is positioned as a domestic brand, somewhere as a Chinese one. In this article, we will figure out who is behind the production of refrigerators Craft, where their factories are located, and to what extent the equipment corresponds to the declared characteristics.

It is important to understand that Craft is not an independent manufacturer, but trademarkunder which household appliances are produced. This practice is common among many brands: the customer company develops the design and functionality, and transfers production to third-party factories (most often in China). We analyzed documents, reviews from experts and data on suppliers to give a clear answer to the question: who makes refrigerators and where Craftand whether they are worth buying.

Who owns the Craft brand?

Trademark Craft belongs to a Russian company Kraft-Trade LLCregistered in Moscow. This is not a manufacturer, but a distributor who is engaged in:

• 🔹 Development of design and functionality of equipment (together with Chinese partners).
• 🔹 Quality control at the production stage.
• 🔹 Logistics and supplies to Russian stores.
• 🔹 Warranty and post-warranty service.

The company itself Kraft-Trade was founded in the 2010s and initially specialized in importing household appliances from China. Over time, the brand Craft became an independent project with its own models of refrigerators, washing machines and other equipment. It is important to note that Kraft-Trade does not have its own production facilities - all equipment is manufactured at contract factories.

According to Unified State Register of Legal Entities, the founders of the company are Russian entrepreneurs, but part of the shares belongs to Chinese partners. This is a typical scheme for many “Russian” brands of household appliances, where development and sales are carried out in Russia, and production is in Asia.

Where are Craft refrigerators assembled?

All refrigerators Craft are manufactured in China at partner factories. The main production sites are located in the provinces:

• 🏭 Guangdong (Foshan city) - most models with the system are assembled here No Frost.
• 🏭 Zhejiang (Ningbo city) - specializes in compact and built-in refrigerators.
• 🏭 Jiangsu (Suzhou city) - produces premium models with inverter compressors.

The company Kraft Trade does not disclose specific names of factories, but according to customs declarations and certificates, equipment is supplied through companies Midea Group i Hisense —giants of the Chinese production of household appliances. This means that refrigerators Craft can be assembled on the same lines as appliances from other brands, but with a different design and firmware.

Important: despite being manufactured in China, refrigerators Craft are being adapted to Russian conditions operation. For example, they use compressors designed for voltage drops in our networks (from 180V to 240V), as well as enhanced thermal insulation for operation in hot climates.

The range of Craft refrigerators: what does the brand offer?

The range of refrigerators Craft includes more than 20 models, which can be divided into several categories:

Features of the equipment Craftthat distinguish it from its competitors:

• 🔋 Inverter compressors c premium models (energy savings up to 30%).
• ❄️ System Total No Frost in most two-chamber models (no need for manual defrosting).
• 📱 Some refrigerators have support Wi-Fi and control via application Craft Smart.
• 🛡️ Reinforced thermal insulation (wall thickness up to 60 mm) for operation at temperatures from +10°C to +43°C.

However, there are also disadvantages: for example, in budget models use less durable linear compressors, and the plastic of the internal shelves is thinner than that of premium brands. Users also note that the noise of some refrigerators Craft is higher than declared (up to 45 dB instead of 38–40 dB).

Which Craft models break down most often?

According to service centers, most often problems arise with models CH-220NF (malfunctions of the No Frost system) and CH-180V (freon leaks due to poor-quality soldering of pipes). At the same time, refrigerators of the CH-550SB with inverter compressors show a minimum percentage of defects.

How to distinguish an original Craft refrigerator from a fake?

Due to the popularity of the brand, counterfeits have appeared on the market Craft, especially among single-chamber and compact models: Here are the key features of the original equipment:

1. Serial number - must be laser applied to a metal plate (not a sticker!) on the back wall. Format: CRFT-XXXXX-YYYY, where XXXXX — model, YYYY —year and month of manufacture.
2. Packaging — the box must be made of thick corrugated cardboard with the logo Craft in the upper right corner. Inside there must be warranty card with the seal of the official dealer.
3. Compressor — on original models a compressor is used Secop (Germany) or GMCC (China, but certified). Cheap analogues without marking are often installed on fakes.
4. Display — in models with electronic control should be touch screen (on fakes - mechanical buttons).

Also pay attention to price: if the refrigerator Craft is sold 20-30% cheaper than the average market price, this is a reason to be wary. Official dealers rarely offer discounts of more than 10%.

Warranty and service: what you need know?

For all equipment Craft is provided 2 year warranty (for a compressor - 5 years upon registration on the manufacturer's website). However, there are several nuances:

⚠️ Attention: The warranty is valid only when purchased from official dealers. The list of authorized stores can be checked on the website craft-rus.ru (section "Where to buy"). Purchasing on marketplaces (for example Ozon or Wildberries) through unverified sellers may deprive you of warranty service.

Service centers Craft are available in most large cities of Russia. However, in remote regions, repairs may take up to 30 days due to the need to deliver spare parts from Moscow or China. This is what the guarantee covers:

• 🔧 Free repair or replacement of faulty parts (except for consumables such as light bulbs or seals).
• 🚚 Delivery of equipment to a service center (if the weight of the refrigerator is up to 80 kg).
• 🔄 Replacement of the refrigerator with a new one if repair is impossible (within the first 14 days from the date of purchase).

What is not covered by the warranty:

• ❌ Damage due to improper installation (for example, misaligned doors).
• ❌ Breakdowns after self-repair.
• ❌ Defects caused by power surges (if a stabilizer was not used).

To extend the warranty on the compressor to 5 years, you must register the refrigerator on the manufacturer's website within 14 days from the date of purchase. Without registration, only the standard 2-year warranty is valid.

Owner reviews: pros and cons of Craft refrigerators

Analysis of reviews on sites Yandex.Market, Review i IRecommend shows that opinions about refrigerators Craft vari greatly depending on the model. Here are the key trends:

Pros (most often mentioned):

• ✅ Price/quality —many note that for the same money other brands offer less functional models.
• ✅ Design - modern appearance, especially for models Side-by-Side.
• ✅ Functionality - availability No Frost, freshness zone and inverter compressors in the middle price segment.
• ✅ Energy consumption - class A+ and higher for most models.

Cons (most common complaints):

• ❌ Noise - some models (for example, CH-220NF) emit a hum up to 45 dB, which is annoying at night.
• ❌ Plastic quality —internal shelves and drawers are thin, can crack when careless handling.
• ❌ Temperature inaccuracies - in the freshness zone, sometimes there are differences up to ±3°C.
• ❌ Difficulties with spare parts - in small cities you have to wait up to 2-3 weeks for delivery of parts.

Interestingly, negative reviews are often associated with incorrect installation or operation. For example, many complain about icing in models with No Frost, although the problem arises due to:

• 🔌 Unstable voltage in the network (a stabilizer is needed!).
• 🚪 Frequent opening of the door in hot weather.
• 🧊 Overloads of the freezer compartment (air circulation is disrupted).

According to service centers, about 60% of breakdowns refrigerators Craft are associated with violation of operating rules, and not with manufacturing defects. This suggests that the equipment requires more careful handling than premium brands.

Where to buy spare parts for Craft refrigerators?

If the warranty period has expired or the breakdown is not covered by the warranty, spare parts for Craft you can buy:

1. Official online store (craft-rus.ru/parts) - original parts with a guarantee, but prices are 15-20% higher than the market.
2. Service centers - they often sell spare parts “off the counter” at lower prices.
3. Marketplaces (AliExpress, eBay) - cheaper, but there is a high risk of running into a non-original part. For example, a compressor for Craft CH-250S on AliExpress may cost 2 times cheaper, but will last 3 times less.
4. Universal spare parts stores (for example, 220-volt.ru, MVideo) - suitable for standard parts like light bulbs or seals.

The most popular spare parts for Craft:

⚠️ Attention: When purchasing a compressor or control board, be sure to check compatibility with the refrigerator model! For example, a compressor from Craft CH-250S is not suitable for CH-220NF, even if they look similar. The model number must match the information in the technical data sheet.

If you are not sure about the choice of spare part, it is better to order diagnostics at a service center. The technician will determine exactly which part has failed and will select an analogue if the original is too expensive.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Craft refrigerators

🔹 Who actually produces Craft refrigerators - Russia or China?

Refrigerators Craft made in China on the company's partner factories Craft Trade. The Russian side is responsible for design, logistics and warranty service. The actual assembly takes place in the provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu.

🔹 Why are Craft refrigerators cheaper than Samsung or LG?

Lower price for three reasons:

1. Savings on marketing (no global advertising, like in Samsung).
2. Use of standard components (for example, compressors GMCCwhich are cheaper Embraco).
3. Localization of production for the Russian market (no additional markups for export).

However, this does not mean that the quality is worse - the brand simply does not pay for the “name”.

🔹 Is it possible to repair Craft refrigerators yourself?

DIY Repair possible, but only for simple faults:

• 🔧 Replacing the light bulb or rubber seal.
• 🧊 Cleaning the drainage hole.
• 🔌 Replacing the power cord.

For serious damage (compressor, control board, freon leak) it is better to contact a service center. Errors during repairs can lead to complete failure of the refrigerator.

🔹 Which Craft refrigerator is the most reliable?

According to service center statistics, the lowest percentage of breakdowns is models:

• Craft CH-550SB (Side-by-Side with inverter compressor).
• Craft CH-200V (built-in model with a freshness zone).
• Craft CH-150NF (compact No Frost for small families).

These refrigerators are equipped with more reliable compressors Secop and have improved thermal insulation.

🔹 Where is it better to buy a Craft refrigerator - in a store or on the marketplace?

It is better to buy in official stores (list on website craft-rus.ru), because:

• 📋 The guarantee is valid only when purchased from authorized dealers.
• 🚚 Free delivery and lifting to the floor (on marketplaces this is often paid option).
• 🔄 Possibility of exchange within 14 days without explanation.

If you buy on Wildberries or Ozon, check that the seller is an official partner Craft (this must be indicated in description of the product).