Whirlpool Corporation
1. Company general info.
With brand names recognized by anyone who ever separated dark colors from light, Whirlpool is the
#1 US home appliance maker (#2 worldwide, after Sweden's AB Electrolux). It makes washers, dryers,
refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, freezers, microwave ovens, ranges, trash compactors, air purifiers,
and more. In addition to Whirlpool, the company sells its products under brand names including KitchenAid,
Bauknecht, Roper, and Speed Queen. About 15% of Whirlpool's sales come from making Kenmore and Sears
appliances for Sears, which also stocks the Whirlpool and KitchenAid brands. The company acquired
troubled competitor Maytag in March 2006.
With the acquisition of Maytag, Whirlpool's brands now include Admiral, Amana, Jenn-Air,
Magic Chef, and of course, the eponymous Maytag. Once the dust settled Whirlpool announced in mid-2005
plans to sell four businesses -- including Amana commercial microwaves, Dixie-Narco vending systems,
Hoover floorcare, and Jade commercial appliances -- in an effort to cultivate its core brands and purge noncore operations. By December 2006 it had sold Dixie-Narco and its Amana commercial business. Whirlpool
agreed in late 2006 to sell its Hoover unit to Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. for some $107 million in cash.
(Expected to close in early 2007, the deal involves Techtronic running the Hoover business and its
manufacturing sites and Whirlpool retaining pension benefit liabilities.) It's still working on the Jade sale.
Buying Maytag has spurred Whirlpool to streamline operations and purge staff. In 2006 it planned to
lay off some 4,500 employees, consolidate duplicate functions related to administration and manufacturing,
and shutter some offices, including a Maytag research and development center based in Newton, Illinois.
Whirlpool closed the doors to Maytag's Iowa-based administrative offices and moved them to Michigan and
other locations.
Key People
Chairman, President, and CEO
EVP and CFO
SVP, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel
Jeff M. Fettig
Roy W. Templin
Daniel F. Hopp
2. Company’s Supply Chain
Whirlpool Corporation Announces Manufacturing Changes
Friday January 5
BENTON HARBOR-- Whirlpool Corporation today announced changes for its North American cooking
product manufacturing facilities. The changes are part of an ongoing comprehensive worldwide effort to
optimize the company's regional manufacturing facilities, supply base, product platforms and technology
resources to better support its leading global brands with innovative products.
The changes include shifting production of select freestanding cooking products currently manufactured
at the Whirlpool facility in Cleveland, Tenn., to Whirlpool manufacturing facilities in Tulsa, Okla., and a
yet-to-be determined location in Mexico.
The changes will result in the elimination of approximately 370 positions at the Cleveland, Tenn., facility.
Whirlpool expects that the majority of the eliminated positions will be absorbed through normal attrition
and the reduction of temporary positions. The specific number of new positions at the Tulsa facility is not
yet final. Once the Mexican location is finalized, those headcount numbers will also be determined. The
moves are expected to be completed in 2007.
Whirlpool sells some former Maytag facilities
Jan 3 (Reuters) - Appliance maker Whirlpool Corp. said it sold some former Maytag Corp. facilities in
Newton, Iowa; Florence, South Carolina; Galesburg and Herrin, Illinois; Searcy, Arkansas; and
Ranson, West Virginia.
Whirlpool also said it sold the majority of the Maytag headquarters building complex to Iowa
Telecommunications Services Inc. The company has the option to sell the vacant Maytag
manufacturing facility to the Jasper Community Foundation.
Whirlpool did not disclose the terms. The company had acquired Maytag in April 2006.
(Reporting by Shikhar Balwani in Bangalore).
Product Lines
Air conditioning equipment
Cooking appliances
Dishwashers
Freezers
Laundry appliances
Mixers
Refrigerators
Small household appliances
North American Brands
United States: Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Roper, Estate, Gladiator
Canada (additional brands): Whirlpool, Inglis, KitchenAid
Mexico (additional brands): Whirlpool, Acros, Supermatic, Crolls
European Brands
Whirlpool, Bauknecht, Ignis
Laden in France; KIC in South Africa
Latin American Brands
Brastem, Consul, Eslabon de Lujo, Embraco
Asian Brands
Whirlpool-owned: Whirlpool, Bauknecht, Ignis, KitchenAid, Raybo
Affiliate-owned: Narcissus, SMC, TVS