Whirlpool Corporation Named to Ocean Tomo 300 Patent Index(TM)

Company's Proven Innovation Strategy Generates Marketable Intellectual Property

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Jan 07, 2010, 09:00 ET

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) today announced it was named to the 2009/2010 Ocean Tomo 300 Patent Index(TM), the first equity index based on the value of corporate intellectual property, for the fourth consecutive year. The Index is priced and published by the NYSE Euronext.

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"We are pleased Whirlpool has once again been named to this Index, which assigns real value to intellectual capital and innovation," said Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool Corporation's chairman and CEO. "At Whirlpool, we have a long-term strategic commitment to developing innovative products that consumers value and are aligned to our outstanding brands. Whirlpool Corporation's efforts to produce marketable intellectual property provide consumer benefits and help ensure that we continue to deliver positive results for our shareholders."

The Ocean Tomo 300 Patent Index(TM) is the first major broad-based market equity to be launched in 35 years, and follows the progression from the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1896, to Standard & Poor's 500 in 1957 and then to the NASDAQ Composite Index in 1971. The Index represents 300 companies that own the most valuable patents relative to their book value and will focus investors on intellectual property as a distinct asset class.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion in 2008, more than 70,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

This document contains forward-looking statements about Whirlpool Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries ("Whirlpool") that speak only as of this date. Whirlpool disclaims any obligation to update these statements. Forward-looking statements in this document may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected earnings per share, cash flow, productivity and material and oil-related prices. Many risks, contingencies and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from Whirlpool's forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) changes in economic conditions which affect demand for our products, including the strength of the building industry and the level of interest rates; (2) the effects of the global economic crisis on our customers, suppliers and the availability of credit; (3) Whirlpool's ability to continue its relationship with significant trade customers, including Sears Holding Corporation in North America (accounting for approximately 11% of Whirlpool's 2008 consolidated net sales of $18.9 billion) and the ability of these trade customers to maintain or increase market share; (4) intense competition in the home appliance industry reflecting the impact of both new and established global competitors, including Asian and European manufacturers; (5) the ability of Whirlpool to manage foreign currency fluctuations; (6) litigation including product liability and product defect claims; (7) the ability of Whirlpool to achieve its business plans, productivity improvements, cost control, leveraging of its global operating platform, and acceleration of the rate of innovation; (8) fluctuations in the cost of key materials (including steel, oil, plastic, resins, copper and aluminum) and components and the ability of Whirlpool to offset cost increases; (9) the ability of suppliers of critical parts, components and manufacturing equipment to deliver sufficient quantities to Whirlpool in a timely and cost-effective manner; (10) health care cost trends and regulatory changes that could increase future funding obligations for pension and other postretirement benefit plans; (11) Whirlpool's ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights; (12) global, political and/or economic uncertainty and disruptions, especially in Whirlpool's significant geographic regions, including uncertainty and disruptions arising from natural disasters or terrorist attacks; (13) the effects of governmental investigations or related actions by third parties; (14) the impact of labor relations; (15) our ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees; (16) the cost of compliance with environmental and health and safety regulations. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in Whirlpool Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation