Whirlpool Corporation Announces Leadership Changes in Product Development Functions

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Apr 22, 2010, 10:00 ET

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) announced two key leadership appointments in its Global Product Organization. Christian Gianni has been named vice president, Global Engineering and Technology; and Patrick Schiavone has been named vice president, Global Consumer Design. Both appointments are effective immediately. Gianni joins from New Zealand-based Fisher and Paykel Appliances; and Schiavone from Michigan-based Ford Motor Company.

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Gianni will be accountable for global engineering and technology development and operations around the world. Schiavone will be accountable for consumer-focused product design of the company's appliances across its global portfolio of brands in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

"We are pleased to welcome Christian and Patrick to Whirlpool Corporation," said David Szczupak, executive vice president, Global Product Organization. "The broad experience and proven leadership that Christian and Patrick bring to Whirlpool Corporation will ensure we continue to drive product leadership through technology, engineering and design across our leading product portfolio of brands."

Gianni brings 22 years of experience in the home appliance industry to Whirlpool Corporation. He began his career at Fisher & Paykel, where he started in 1988 as a design engineer. He was named general manager of Engineering in 2000 and was responsible for product design across all global platforms. In 2004, he was named chief technology officer, where he led the launch of numerous global products, implemented a global manufacturing strategy and facilitated improvements in product delivery and quality.

Schiavone joined Whirlpool Corporation after a 21-year career as an automobile designer with Ford where his most recent role was design director for trucks at Ford. His career with Ford began with concept designs in the advanced studio both in the United States and at GHIA-S.P.A. in Torino, Italy. Schiavone led the design of the 2002 Explorer and the eleventh-generation Ford F-150 – the best-selling truck in the world. He also directed the design of the Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and numerous other award winning concept vehicles.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, 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.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation