You have to understand that for some parts the manufacturer is merely an assmebler. They actually make few, and sometimes no, parts for their heaters. It makes better economic sense to buy the parts from another supplier.
My concern is just that. The controls on the Whirlpool appear to be part of the problem (the parts that I've had to replace to get it running anyway--and I don't see why I should have needed to replace the thermostat if this was actually the result of the thermocouple being damaged due to poor draft, but it wouldn't work with just the thermocouple replacement.) So seeing what appears to be the same control set on brands that supposedly don't have this sort of problem does not instill confidence. Instead it screams, "RUNAWAY! RUNAWAY!"
Now if instead of the controls, the primary problem with the Whirlpool is lack of draft due to a small flame arrestor with small openings, that can easily be remedied with a Dremel, making it like the water heaters that worked fine for me in past decades while deleting a "feature" I never needed, nor wanted. (My flame trap was clean on both sides and the unit ran without a hitch for well over a year.)
In reading the very long thread about Whirlpool water heaters several times it was never clear where the fundamental design flaw is. And I've seen some prominent postings here condemning A.O. Smith/State controls as well. My preference at this time is not to purchase another gas fired water heater until the FVIR problems are completely sorted out.