Whirlpool Moves Commercial Washing Machine Production From Mexico to U.S.

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Dec 20, 2013, 08:00 ET

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Dec. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation is moving production of its commercial front-load washing machines from Monterrey, Mexico to Clyde, Ohio. The move reaffirms Whirlpool's continued commitment to its U.S. manufacturing base and its confidence in the Clyde, Ohio skilled workforce. Approximately 80-100 new jobs will be created in Clyde during the next three years to support this manufacturing relocation. The relocation will increase operational efficiencies and align with the company's strategy of building products in the regions where they are primarily sold. Production of the font-load commercial washer platform is due to begin in the U.S. April 2014.

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"We continue to invest in advanced manufacturing processes in our Clyde, Ohio plant where we have a highly skilled workforce, making this a smart, long-term business decision for us," said Jeff Durham, vice president of U.S. manufacturing for Whirlpool Corporation. "We look forward to ramping up production and building this quality product, for the U.S. and abroad, right here in Clyde Ohio."

These front-load commercial washing machines are sold for use in Laundromats, hospitals, hotels and other commercial settings. This product is primarily sold in the U.S. with approximately 10 percent being exported to Europe, Australia, Latin America and Asia.

Whirlpool's Clyde manufacturing plant is 2.4 million square feet – and is the largest washing machine plant in the world. Whirlpool currently manufactures all of its residential washers for the U.S. market in its Clyde plant. This includes production of washers sold under the brands Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, Estate, Roper, Crosley, Admiral and Kenmore, as well as the company's Canadian brand, Inglis. All accompanying dryers are made in Whirlpool's dryer manufacturing facility in Marion, Ohio.

Whirlpool Corporation currently employs approximately 15,000 U.S. manufacturing workers – more than all of its major competitors combined. Eighty percent of the products Whirlpool sells in the U.S. are made in the U.S. The company has committed to investing $1 billion from 2010 – 2014 in its U.S. footprint including investments at the Clyde facility, other manufacturing facilities, and a new office complex in the company's Michigan headquarters.

The Whirlpool Mexico facility is adding a new residential washer production line to serve the Mexico market. The company expects to maintain its employment levels at the Mexico facility and anticipates no interruption in the supply of commercial washers during the changeover.

About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is a leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion in 2012, 68,000 employees, and 65 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 whirlpoolcorp.com.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation