What Happened to Blendtec? A Detailed Guide to the Blender Company

Blendtec is a well-known and trusted brand when it comes to high-powered blenders. Founded in 1975 in Orem, Utah, Blendtec has built a reputation for manufacturing durable, versatile blenders that can handle tough blending tasks. If you‘re curious about what happened to Blendtec and where the company is today, read on for a detailed guide.

A Brief History of Blendtec

Blendtec was founded by Tom Dickson, who set out to build the most advanced blender on the market. The original Blendtec blenders focused on power and precision to pulverize ingredients quickly and evenly.

In 2006, Blendtec gained widespread fame when they used one of their blenders in the viral "Will It Blend?" marketing campaign. Blendtec demonstrated their blenders blending non-food items like iPhones, golf balls, and marbles.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Blendtec continued enhancing their blender design and technology. They also expanded their product line to include other kitchen electronics.

The Jarden Corporation Deal

In 2015, Blendtec was acquired by consumer products company Jarden Corporation. This investment deal gave Blendtec the resources for significant global expansion.

With Jarden‘s support, Blendtec invested in celebrity endorsements, opened international offices, and greatly expanded the types of products they offer. Blendtec also updated their branding, logos, and packaging design.

Continued Growth and Innovation

Since partnering with Jarden Corporation, Blendtec has continuously grown as a kitchen appliance brand. Some milestones include:

• Selling over 1 million blenders globally
• Adding new product lines like small appliances, juicers, and coffee makers
• Continuing to innovate blender technology with features like touchscreen interfaces
• Winning the 2016 iF Design Award for new product designs
• Expanding retail distribution to major stores like Target, Walmart, and Costco

In addition to new products, Blendtec invests heavily in social media, recipes, and customer education to support customers. Overall, the company shows no signs of slowing down.

Blendtec‘s Reputation for Powerful Blenders

Thanks to advanced features like 3 peak horsepower motors, specialized stainless steel blades, and sound enclosures, Blendtec blenders can blend just about anything quickly and easily.

Some of Blendtec‘s patents include:

• WildSide+ jar: Creates a vortex for faster, smoother blending
• Smart-Touch Tecnology: Adds one-touch buttons programmed with blender cycles
• Stealth technology: Positioned to reduce noise and vibration during blending

These innovations contribute to Blendtec‘s reputation for the most durable high-performance blenders on the market.

Does Blendtec Have a Lifetime Warranty?

While Blendtec does not offer a true lifetime warranty, they provide an industry-leading 7-year limited warranty. This covers the motor base, blender pitcher, blades, and more.

For the first year, coverage includes parts and labor. For years 2-7, the warranty covers motor base and blade repairs.

Additionally, Blendtec offers a 100% money-back guarantee within the first 90 days of purchase. So customers can be confident they‘re covered in case of defects.

How Long Should a Blendtec Blender Last?

With routine maintenance and care, a Blendtec blender should provide roughly 8-10 years of blending service. Some tips to maximize the lifespan include:

• Fully disassemble and wash the blender after each use.
• Lubricate gaskets and o-ring seals regularly.
• Store the blender with the jar upright and base unplugged.
• Replace blender blades every 2 years for optimal performance.
• Use only authorized Blendtec repair services for maintenance.

Following the manufacturer‘s instructions for care and maintenance is key for getting the most years out of a Blendtec blender.

Comparing Noise Levels: Blendtec vs. Vitamix

When it comes to noise level, Blendtec blenders tend to run quieter than Vitamix overall. Here‘s a quick comparison of what contributes to the sound level of each blender:

Blendtec

• Wider jar provides more sound insulation
• Powerful yet quiet motor stays cool with vents
• Hard blades provide faster blending

Vitamix

• Sound dampening lid helps reduce noise
• Narrower jar and base increase vibration
• Softer blades create less friction noise

Both brands are relatively quiet high-powered blenders. But Blendtec‘s wider jar and base design give it an edge for noise reduction.

Is Blendtec Still in Business?

Absolutely! Years after its founding and partnership with Jarden, Blendtec continues to manufacture quality kitchen appliances from their headquarters in Orem, Utah.

In addition to blenders, Blendtec produces a wide range of products:

• Commercial blenders for restaurants and cafes
• Juicers
• Food processors
• Coffee makers
• Toasters
• Scales
• Mixers
• And more

With over 300 employees and distribution worldwide, Blendtec appears well-positioned to continue growing and innovating for years to come.

Does Starbucks Use Blendtec or Vitamix Blenders?

Starbucks does not actually use blenders from Vitamix, Blendtec, or other outside brands. They have an exclusive partnership with blender manufacturers in Italy to produce custom blenders for their stores.

These custom Starbucks blenders include special tamper-proof lids, drink spouts, programming, and capacities tailored specifically for high-volume blending and Starbucks menu items.

So while Vitamix and Blendtec both make excellent commercial-grade blenders, Starbucks opts for an in-house custom solution.

Can You Repair a Blendtec Blender?

Yes, Blendtec blenders can be repaired, especially issues covered under their 7-year warranty.

For warranty repairs, you can set up a service request through Blendtec‘s website or call their customer service line. They will troubleshoot the problem and coordinate any necessary repairs.

For out-of-warranty repairs, Blendtec can still provide replacement parts and maintenance at the owner‘s expense. Replacement jars, lids, blades, and base components can give a blender new life.

No matter the repair needed, it‘s always best to work directly with Blendtec‘s service team to ensure proper servicing. Their technicians have the expertise to get Blendtec blenders running like new again.

What is the Average Lifespan of a Blender?

For a quality blender that gets regular use, the typical lifespan ranges from 5-10 years. Factors that affect longevity include:

• Brand: More expensive commercial blenders last longer than cheap models. Vitamix, Blendtec, and other pro brands have lifespans over 10 years.

• Usage: Frequent use wears down blenders faster. Using a blender daily shortens its lifespan versus occasional use.

• Care: Proper cleaning and maintenance extends any blender‘s longevity.

• Build: Blenders with metal driveshafts and housing last longer than plastic models.

With regular servicing and blade replacements, even entry-level blenders should operate 5+ years. High-powered brands like Vitamix and Blendtec often reach or exceed 10 years.

Which Blender Lasts the Longest?

When it comes to maximum lifespan, Vitamix and Blendtec consistently top the blender durability charts, with an average lifespan of 10-15 years.

Features that improve their longevity include:

• Powerful motors (2+ peak horsepower)
• All-metal drive systems
• Reinforced bases
• Multi-point mounted blades
• Wide, BPA-free jars
• Thermal protection systems
• Long 10+ year warranties

While pricier, investing in a Vitamix or Blendtec provides years of reliability versus cheaper blenders that need replacing every 2-3 years. Making them a better value over time.

Choosing a Quiet Smoothie Maker

For smoothie making with minimal noise, two great options are:

NutriBullet Pro 900 Series

• 900 watts of power
• Noise reduction technology
• Extractor blades for smooth results

Hamilton Beach Personal Blender

• One-touch use
• Travel size blending jar
• Compact yet powerful motor

Both offer quiet single-serve blending. NutriBullet touts advanced noise reduction but costs more. Hamilton Beach is an affordable basic option perfect for small kitchens.

The World‘s Quietest Blender: Vitamix 5300

The Vitamix 5300 is considered the quietest blender on the market. Despite its 2.2 peak HP motor, it operates at lower noise levels thanks to:

• Optimized cooling fan and vents
• Sound enclosure to dampen vibration
• Gradual 10-speed dial
• Low profile 64-ounce container
• Sonic frequency technology

This professional-grade Vitamix can blend ultra-smooth purées and juices while remaining quieter than most blenders. Its noise reduction makes it ideal for shared spaces like offices or apartments.

Identifying the Quietest Vitamix Model

Within the Vitamix lineup, the A3500 Ascent Series is their quietest blender model. It contains the latest noise-minimizing innovations:

• Sound enclosure fully seals the base
• Built-in acoustic dampening
• Vibration absorbent feet
• Redesigned base vents excess heat
• Powerful 2.2 HP motor blends quickly
• Wide 64 oz container processes larger batches faster

User reviews confirm the A3500 is extremely quiet for its blending capabilities. So for powerful, quiet blending, the Ascent Series is the top Vitamix choice.

How Does Costco‘s Vitamix Compare?

Costco sells a more affordable version of the Vitamix Explorian line with some key differences:

• Costco Vitamix runs $219-$329 vs. $449-$599 elsewhere
• Slightly less powerful motor (2 vs 2.2 peak HP)
• Smaller 64 oz container only vs. 64 oz or 48 oz sizes
• 3-year Costco warranty vs. 7-year or 10-year regular warranties

Aside from lower price and smaller capacity, the Costco Vitamix still provides excellent blending and longevity. Overall, an excellent value for Vitamix quality at a lower price point.

Is Any Blender Better Than Vitamix?

While no brands fully surpass Vitamix‘s exceptional performance and durability, some alternatives come close for much lower prices.

Ninja, KitchenAid, Oster, and Hamilton Beach all offer great blender options under $200 with power and features rivaling Vitamix‘s lower-end models.

However, for maximum versatility, blending power, and longevity, Vitamix remains hard to beat. You get what you pay for, and a Vitamix will outlast and outperform most blenders. But more budget options exist for cost-conscious buyers willing to sacrifice some blending prowess.