Whirlpool Corporation Changes the Meaning of Manufacturing with Innovation, Efficiency and Career Growth

PR Newswire, BENTON HARBOR, Mich., October 5, 2016
As National Manufacturing Day approaches this week, Whirlpool Corporation will mark the occasion with a month-long series of events to highlight the importance of American manufacturing. The company is providing an inside look at the compilation of innovative processes that go into building one of its home appliances.

“The reality is that today’s manufacturing industry has become more dynamic not only for those involved in the building of products, but also through the distribution methods used to bring products efficiently from plants to homes,” said Jim Keppler, Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain & Quality at Whirlpool Corporation. “We’re using Manufacturing Month this year to highlight how we’re leveraging our supply chain and operationalizing our plants to deliver the right benefits not only for our company, employees and the consumer, but also the environment.”

As the world’s largest appliance manufacturer, Whirlpool Corporation continues to transform its approach to supply chain innovation. This approach—which includes embracing wind power, advanced engineering and robotics and an investment in American jobs—is setting a new precedent for operational excellence.

In step with the theme of this year’s Manufacturing Month, Whirlpool Corporation is working to change the perception of manufacturing in America by providing an inside look at its manufacturing process—showing step-by-step how a 14,000 pound roll of steel is transformed into a world class premium cooking product through the use of robotics, connected technology and skilled manufacturing workers.

In the face of a widening skills gap, Whirlpool Corporation has been a champion of investing in its skilled workforce to ensure manufacturing jobs can remain in America. The company offers on-site apprenticeship programs at multiple manufacturing locations to develop the skills required to support the implementation of factory automation and other disruptive technologies.

“The approximately 15,000 manufacturing employees across our nine U.S. facilities are a shining example of the importance of manufacturing to our national economy and why Whirlpool Corporation considers investment in our manufacturing operations a strategic priority,” Keppler said.

Working towards a more sustainable supply chain has been a key element in Whirlpool Corporation’s vision for reshaping manufacturing. The company has invested over $30 million over the last two years in wind farms that will power various Ohio manufacturing plants, and recently reaffirmed its zero waste to landfill goal in every manufacturing facility across the globe by 2022.

About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world, with approximately $21 billion in annual sales, 97,000 employees and 70 manufacturing and technology research centers in 2015. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air, Indesit and other major brand names in nearly every country throughout the world. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or find us on Twitter at @WhirlpoolCorp.