BENTON HARBOR, Mich.,
Dec. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/
-- Jeff M. Fettig, Chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation
(NYSE: WHR) today marked the latest developments in the
company's multimillion dollar local investment initiative in
the Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Mich. community as the company
officially opened its new Benton Harbor Technology Center. As
employees and local dignitaries gathered for a look inside the new
facility, Fettig discussed the significant accomplishments made in
the Twin Cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph Michigan since 2010.
Four years ago the company announced plans for its new
Riverview campus project as well
as major renovations in the company's global headquarters
building. Today Fettig announced Whirlpool will break ground on
phase three of its Riverview
campus in 2015 -- this phase includes a third, three-story building
alongside two current buildings. The company also announced it will
move forward with a third phase of renovations at its Global
Headquarters facility.
With the establishment of the Benton Harbor Technology Center,
the Twin Cities are now home to
more than 1,200 engineers and technicians and serves as the global
technology hub for all of the company's major categories including
cooking, cleaning, laundry and refrigeration. The facility is
Whirlpool Corporation's largest refrigeration technology center and
focuses on next generation processes and technologies. When
completed in 2016, the company will have invested $155 million in all projects.
"As an employee of Whirlpool, I recognize those who came before
us and worked hard to give us a better company," Fettig told
employees. "They built this company from the ground up, which
helped pave the way for us to transform what was once a warehouse
into a state-of-the-art global technology center. This is not just
a new facility. It is a testament to our values as a company, our
commitment to investing where it counts – right here at home."
Joining Fettig for the ribbon cutting ceremony were Dave Szczupak, Executive Vice President of
Global Product Organization at Whirlpool and Mike Finney, President and CEO of the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation as well as Benton Harbor Mayor James Hightower and St. Joseph Mayor Mike
Garey.
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is
the world's leading global manufacturer and marketer of major home
appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2013, 69,000 employees, and 59
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. We
earn the trust of consumers in nearly every country by focusing on
what matters most. Additional information about the company can be
found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20040202/DETU004LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whirlpool-corporation-celebrates-latest-project-in-155-million-local-investment-300012410.html
SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation