The Whirlpool Corporation is an American multinational manufacturer and marketer of home appliances, based in Benton Charter Township, Michigan, United States, near Benton Harbor, Michigan. Fortune 500 companies have annual revenues of about $ 21 billion, 92,000 employees, and over 70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, GarageWorks Gladiators, Inglis, Estate, Brastemp, Bauknecht, Indesit, and Consul. Whirlpool Corporation is the largest maker of household appliances in the world. Their website also mentions Hotpoint, Diqua, Affresh, Acros, and Yummly brands.
In the US, Whirlpool has nine manufacturing facilities: Amana, Iowa; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Cleveland, Tennessee; Clyde, Ohio; Findlay, Ohio; Greenville, Ohio; Marion, Ohio; Ottawa, Ohio; and Fall River, MA.
Video Whirlpool Corporation
History
Before setting up the Upton Machine Company on November 11, 1911, Louis Upton (Lou) worked as an insurance salesman and his uncle, Emory Upton, owns a machine shop. After a failed business venture, Lou obtained a patent for manual laundry and he approached Emory to see if he could add an electric motor to the design. With the help of a $ 5,000 investment from retail executive Lowell Bassford, they began to produce electrically controlled washers. Soon after his establishment, Lou's younger brother, Fred joined the company. Their first customer, the Federal Electric division of Commonwealth Edison, ordered 100 machines, but the fault in the transmission shift caused the customer to threaten to return. After the engine was withdrawn and repaired, Federal Electric doubled the order. They remain customers for three years, when they start producing their own washing machine. The loss of Federal Electric forced Upton to diversify temporarily until, in 1916, they landed Sears, Roebuck & Co as a customer. Sears started selling two types of Upton wafer washers under the brand "Allen", one for $ 54.75 and a deluxe model for $ 95. Sales grew quickly and in 1921, Sears raised Upton as their sole supplier of washing machines. In order not to rely heavily on Sears, Upton began marketing the washing machines under their own brand name.
The increase in sales volume led Upton to join Nineteen Hundred Washer Company in Binghamton, New York in 1929, adopting the name Nineteen Hundred Corporation. Company is relatively unaffected by the Great Depression; during World War II, the factories were converted into arms production. In 1947, he introduced the spinner-type automatic washing machine sold by Sears under the brand "Kenmore", and a year later, sold by the company under the brand name "Whirlpool". Lou retired as president in 1949, and was replaced by Elisha "Bud" Gray II.
In response to post-war consumer demand for convenience products, the company launched a range of home laundry products including automatic presses and dryers, dryers and irons. In 1950, The Nineteen Hundred Corporation changed its name to Whirlpool Corporation. In 1951, the philanthropic Whirlpool Foundation was founded.
To compete better with a more diversified manufacturer, in 1955, Whirlpool acquired Seeger Refrigerator Company and AC RCA and various cooking lines. The company changed its name to Whirlpool-Seeger Corporation and started using the RCA-Whirlpool brand name. Whirlpool acquired the International Harvester Company refrigerators in Evansville, IN in 1955. In 1956, a 100 acre administrative center (0.40 km 2 ) opened in Benton Harbor, Michigan. In 1957, RCA Whirlpool Miracle Kitchen was introduced with about 15 million television viewers. The company changed its name to Whirlpool Corporation and brought Robert Elton Brooker as President. At the 1959 National Exhibition at Sokolniki Park Moscow, Brooker led the Whirlpool kitchen; The whirlpool kitchen inspired the Kitchen Debate between then Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev.
In 1962, the company's research laboratory won a contract from NASA to develop a food and waste management system for Project Gemini. In 1966, Whirlpool dropped the name of RCA so the brand name became Whirlpool. The following year, the company introduced a 24-hour helpline. In 1978, annual revenues exceeded $ 2 billion.
In 1966, Whirlpool bought Warwick Electronics , the lead television producer for Sears. This also includes the division of Thomas Organ Company . Whirlpool left the television market in 1976 by selling operations to Sanyo Electronic Co. Japan, but retained the organ business for electronic technology.
In 1986, Whirlpool acquired KitchenAid, a division of Hobart Corporation. It also announced that it will close most of its manufacturing facilities in the St. Joseph, Michigan in late 1988. In 1987, the company began selling small washing machines in India and acquiring majority ownership in Inglis Canada. In 1988, Whirlpool bought a 53% stake in Philips N.V.'s large appliance division, creating a joint venture called Whirlpool International. The purchase makes Whirlpool the largest heavy equipment manufacturer in the world, with annual sales of about $ 6 billion. The 47% stake was purchased from Philips in 1991, completing the acquisition. In 1989, Whirlpool acquired the brands Roper and Bauknecht from Germany.
Whirlpool entered the Indian market in the late 1980s as part of its global expansion strategy. It established a joint venture with the TVS Group and established its first Whirlpool manufacturing facility in Pondicherry, and produced a washing machine. In 1995, Whirlpool acquired Kelvinator India Limited and marked its entry into the refrigerator market as well. In the same year the company also saw the acquisition of major shares in the TVS joint venture and then in 1996, the acquisition of Kelvinator and TVS merged to create, Whirlpool of India Limited. It expanded the company's portfolio in Indian subcontinent to washing machine, refrigerator, microwave oven, and air conditioner. Whirlpool of India Limited is headquartered in Gurgaon, and has three manufacturing facilities in Faridabad, Pondicherry and Pune.
In 1997, the company acquired a majority stake in Embraco, a maker of compressors for refrigeration in Brazil. In 2000, the company acquired equipment maker from Brazil, MultibrÃÆ'¡s, Brastemp and Consul brand owners, including its stake in Embraco. In 2001, Inglis Ltd. changed its name to Whirlpool Canada. Whirlpool continues to market Inglis equipment to this day.
In 2004, annual revenues exceeded $ 13 billion. In 2005, the shareholders of Maytag Corporation decided to accept the purchase of Whirlpool Corporation shares. After the US Justice Department approved the merger in 2006, the company acquired Maytag, including the Maytag brand, Jenn-Air, Amana, Jade, Magic Chef, Admiral, Hoover, and Dixie-Narco. It sells Dixie-Narco to Crane Co., and Amana Commercial to AGA.
In 2007, Whirlpool sold Hoover to Techtronic Industries, TTI Floorcare, and Jade Appliances to Middleby Corporation. It also closed the factory in Newton, Iowa; Searcy, Arkansas; and Herrin, Illinois; resulting in a sudden loss of 4,500 jobs in affected communities. In 2008, Whirlpool announced the closure of the plant in La Vergne, Tennessee; Reynosa, Mexico; Oxford, Mississippi; and Jackson, Tennessee.
In 2009, Whirlpool acquired WC Woods from Bankruptcy and closed the Evansville company, the Indiana plant; Whirlpool has received $ 19.3 million in US Department of Energy funding as part of the Smart Box Investment Grants program
Whirlpool celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011 and launched its 100th Anniversary logo and updated company logo. Also, take over the KarstadtQuelle brand privilege from Otto Group.
In 2011, Whirlpool announced the closure of the Fort Smith plant, Arkansas. The following year, Whirlpool opened a new manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Tennessee replacing the 123-year-old facility. The $ 200 million project adds about 130 jobs to 1,500 established workers. The 1 million square foot facility (93,000 m 2 ) produces premium cooking equipment for Whirlpool brand portfolio. The project also includes a distribution center.
In August 2013, Whirlpool announced it will acquire a 51% majority stake in Hefei Royalstar Sanyo China (a joint venture between Sanyo Electric Co. Japan, now a unit of Panasonic Corp., and Hefei State-Owned Holding Company Ltd., an investment arm of the local state government ) for $ 552 million and gives the company the influence to expand China's appliance market.
In July 2014, Whirlpool announced it had agreed to pay 758 million euros ($ 1 billion) to buy a 60 percent stake in Italian rival Indesit. In December, Whirlpool completed a successful mandatory tender offer for the remaining shares and removed Indesit from the Milan Stock Exchange. Indesit is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Whirlpool Italy Holdings S.r.l.
In January 2017, Whirpool announced that it will cut about 500 jobs from its European, Middle East and African manufacturing unit by 2018. This decision provides the closure of the plant in Amiens, France, which is a problem in the 2017 French presidential election, both with Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron visited the strike workers before the second round.
In October 2017, Whirlpool and retailer Sears Holding Corp reportedly ended their 101-year-old association allowing Whirlpool branded devices to be sold at Sears stores and later, at Kmart, the owner of Sears. Companies are reportedly unable to reach agreement on price issues, Whirlpool will continue to supply the Kenmore equipment they made to Sears.
UK dryer fire risk
The safety warning about drying machines published on the Indesit and Hotpoint website in 2015 advises customers that "In some rare cases, excess fat may come into contact with the heating element and present the risk of fire." Whirlpool condensers and dryers sold under Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline brands and produced during the 11-year period between April 2004 and September 2015 present a fire risk. An estimated 5.3 million drying machines were purchased in the UK during that time period. Initially, and even after several fires were confirmed as being caused by a defective device, Whirlpool advised customers who use such devices safely provided they are not left unattended but will not issue a product withdrawal. Whirlpool offers to repair a damaged machine or change a dryer at a cost of $ 99 - an offer filled with derision with consumer groups and the press. Parliament addresses the widespread difficulties of repairing damaged or replaced machines, including long waiting times and poor service.
On Friday, August 19, 2016 a fire broke out on the 7th floor of an 18-story Shepherd's Bush Green Courthouse that resulted in hundreds of residents needing to be evacuated. The London Fire Brigade said 20 firefighters and 120 firefighters were dispatched to cope with the fire at 3.44pm, and it was under control at 5:30 pm. Shadwell's fire station manager Paul Hobbs said, "The fire spreads from the seventh floor through the exterior of the building." The fire spreads upward to swallow 5 damaging floors from the seventh floor to the eleventh floor. The residents were at home as smoke began to drain out of the dryer and they alerted the fire crew, with a fire that was later confirmed as being caused by the wrong Indusit branded Whirlpool branded dryer.
When Whirlpool tells the customer that "You can continue to use the dryer while waiting for the modification, but we require you to leave the dryer unattended during the operation as an extra precaution (ie do not leave the house or leave the dryer in sleep)" but will not issue product withdrawal.
On August 26, 2016, the London Fire Brigade advised the public to stop all use of the damaged dryer immediately and through Total Recall campaign, asking Whirlpool to change his advice to customers and promote product recall, advice also issued by Mana? and the "Expect That Safe" campaign prepared by a lawyer representing a fire victim was started by a broken apparatus. The London Fire Brigade commented that they were summoned to a fire that was started by broken household utensils almost daily and issued a five-point notice about Whirlpool's advice about broken equipment:
- Security notices issued for any fire and fire hazard may potentially harm lives and property.
- It is not practical for most people to keep using the tool during the drying cycle.
- If the dryer burns when confronted, this still presents a risk to the occupants.
- If the owner tries to extinguish the fire in the tool they can endanger their lives. Brigade advice is to not risk the fire, always raise the alarm, exit, stay out and call 999.
- Fire time may break because errors are unpredictable. The ignition of fluff collected around the heating element can cause a smoldering fire that may not be discovered until the appliance is finished and the owner has gone to sleep.
In September 2016, Andy Slaughter, a lawmaker for Hammersmith whose constituency includes Shepard's Bush said the government had failed to stand up on a "strong industrial lobby" representing white goods producers. He is reported to have urged the minister to instruct Whirlpool and other companies to change their advice to customers, and insisted that the wrong equipment that could cause the fire to be remembered and replaced. In a session of parliament on September 13, 2016, Slaughter revealed that he had "tracked down 750 fires caused by Whirlpool dryers and by dryers of Whirlpool-owned brands between 2004 and 2015. We know about 127 models, but Whirlpool will not publish the full list. "
Alberto Acosta, MP for Southern Leicestershire, described Whirlpool's handling of the problem, adding: "I was the wrong drying machine consumer, after buying a year ago Hon Gentleman (Andy Slaughter MP) and I have spoken for a while. , but I would like to tell him further that I wrote to Whirlpool UK managing director Maurizio Pettorino in April this year, He took a month to respond, and his response was shocking.He did not answer the question I had written to him, I wrote letters to him again on May 23, but he has not responded to my letter and he has not responded to my repeated phone calls.A public business firm called Ketchum was involved in this issue but refused to respond to my sensible request, Like many consumers, I filled out the Whirlpool form online and was told I had to wait 10 weeks before being dated, the 10 weeks have come and gone, but I have not received the date. Is hon. Gentleman agreed it was Maurizio Pettorino thinking about resigning from his job? "
Patricia Gibson, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, added that regarding customers waiting for repair or replacement of the wrong dryer replacement, he has "a constituent who has been told that he has to wait at least 16 months, and he is now about half of it waiting. there is a clear ending, and this is the avoidance of real responsibility. "
In the same month, after the publication of the investigation into the infamous Bush Shepard which concluded the wrong fall dryer was to blame for starting fires and other fires in Britain, growing pressure on Whirlpool and the government to do more to convince the public.. Dave Brown, director of the London brigade operation, said, "This fire has highlighted how dangerous the wrong white goods can be... though disappointingly, Whirlpool still has not changed their advice to consumers.We are now drawing once again for them to change their advice and make it align with ourselves. "Fortunately there are no serious injuries to the Bush Shepherd fire but we may not be so lucky if it happens again."
In October 2016, Margot James, Minister of Customers of the British Government, said: "Customer safety should be the number one priority for producers.I acknowledge that the Whirlpool is making a great effort to modify and replace risky machines, but I believe additional action is necessary convince the customers and the public I will write to the company to establish my concerns and expectations. "
In December 2016, the UK's largest customer advocacy group, Yang?, Which previously produced a list of 113 models of risk drying machines, took the unusual step of seeking a judicial review of the Peterborough Trading Standards - the agency called responsible for handling the dryer falling down is sold by Whirlpool - a handling label as a "failure" and claims that it has failed millions of consumers in the UK by not enforcing product safety laws. The city council of Peterborough has dealt with Whirlpool since its headquarters in England are located in the city. The move was considered unusual because this is the first time, Mana? has made a formal legal measure involving trade standards "to assess the legitimacy of its decision to allow householders to continue using damaged machinery, even though their risk explodes into fire".
Leon Livermore, Chief Executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute is very critical of Whirlpool who does not remember the damaged dryer, urged "Whirlpool to remember millions of potentially damaged dryers in the people's homes", but came to the Peterborough Trading Standards defense, saying, "The entire system has been overwhelmed by this measure, and it's a bit unfair to local authorities like Peterborough to be responsible for what constitutes a national problem."
Responding to the criticism, a spokesman for the city council Peterborough said: "The independent review, which started earlier this month, is currently underway and we expect the company to fully comply with the results.We will strongly defend our position if Mana is given a judicial review and recalling independent reviews ongoing we consider that this action is too early. "
On 22 February 2017, Whirlpool received two enforcement notices from the Peterborough Trading Standards after an internal review of trade standards. 15 months after Whirlpool tells customers that it is safe to continue using damaged dryers because they are not left unattended, it is necessary to update their advice to customers who advise them to unplug the equipment and stop using it until they are repaired. Whirlpool was also asked to publish suggestions that were changed to consumers through ads in national newspapers, through social media and in stores. The law enforcement notice was issued on January 16, 2017, and was rejected by Whirlpool, who filed an appeal that was later denied. If the company does not comply with notice at this point, it will be brought to court. According to The Guardian , recent actions follow "escalation" in the number of incidents caused by the affected machine.
Bernard Hender, 19, and Doug McTavish, 39, died after a fire at a flat in Llanrwst, North Wales, on October 10, 2014. Coroner Dave Lewis ruled that the cause of the fire was caused "on probability balance." By an electric fault with a door switch at dryer. He described the evidence presented at the examination by Whirlpool as "defensive and dismissive" and stated the company's approach was "obstacle" to finding measures to prevent future fires.
On Wednesday 25 April 2018 BBC One of the television consumers showed Watchdog broadcast further allegations regarding Whirlpool's safety withdrawal from the dryer. The show explains how the dryers have been modified and should be made safe, we still catch fire. Furthermore, new models considered "safe" by Whirlpool are actually being produced with the same deficiencies of the previous unsafe model. Watchdog BBC attempted to speak with a spokesperson from Whirlpool but the company did not provide anyone to answer these allegations on the show.
Maps Whirlpool Corporation
Diversity
Whirlpool Corporation has seven diversity networks managed by employees who are involved with businesses, employees, and community projects to meet the needs of the groups they represent. This diversity network is the Women Network (WWN), Veterans Network (WVA), Whirlpool African American Network (WAAN), Pride Network (PRIDE), Whirlpool Asian Network (WAN), Whirlpool Hispanic Network (WHN), and Young Professionals Network (YP) ).
LGBT Commitment
In 2004, Whirlpool received a 100% rating on Corporate Equality Index (CEI) issued by the same human rights organization, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). Human Rights Campaign. At that time, Whirpool was the first and only major tool manufacturer to score perfectly. To date, Whirlpool Corporation has achieved the perfect CEI score for 11 consecutive years. In particular, Whirlpool has been offering domestic partner benefits since 2002 and has been a leader of national companies on LGBT issues. In addition, Whirlpool is the first tool maker featuring same-sex families in advertising in the United States.
Charity work
Whirlpool Corporation is a key supporter of Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization dedicated to building cheap and affordable housing. The company's commitment to Habitat for Humanity has surpassed $ 34 million and has donated more than 73,000 equipment for Habitat homes. The company plans to support every Habitat house built globally in 2011, either through product donations, cash, or home sponsorships.
In November 2006, Whirlpool embarked on an annual Building Block program, designed to raise awareness and help eliminate substandard housing in the United States. Each year the program recognizes the great US Habitat for Humanity affiliation and its relationship with its local community by holding a week-long development in the affiliate community. The program started in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006 when Whirlpool brings together 100 local residents with 100 Whirlpool employees and volunteers from 100 Habitat affiliates. These 300 volunteers built 10 houses in a block from 5-10 November 2006. The whirlwind built nine houses near Phoenix, Arizona, in May 2007, and nine more in Dallas, Texas in October 2008. The 2009 construction will begin on 31 August in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2006, more than 20 Whirlpool Indian employees participated in the week-long Jimmy Carter Jobs Project (JCWP) in India, which resulted in the completion of 100 homes in a village near Mumbai. In 2005, Whirlpool India initiated a partnership with Habitat for Humanity India. Volunteers from Whirlpool participate in the development organized by Habitat for Tsunami victims in southern India.
In June 2005, Habitat for Humanity held an annual Jimmy Carter Work Project in Benton Harbor, Michigan. This week-long effort culminated in the completion of more than 230 homes in Michigan. Whirlpool is the main sponsor to build and 270 Whirlpool employees from 19 countries work together to build 10 homes for a week.
To facilitate Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, the Whirlpool works with Habitat to support "Operation Home Delivery." Whirlpool employees helped build about 50 homes built at Rockefeller Center New York that were packed and shipped to Louisiana and Mississippi and later established with the help of Whirlpool employees at St Tamany Parrish, Louisiana. In January 2007, Whirlpool chose to hold its annual sales meeting in New Orleans. As part of the meeting, more than 1,000 Whirlpool employees spent a voluntary day with Habitat for Humanity in an effort to continue to rebuild the New Orleans residential area.
Since 2004, Whirlpool has sponsored the entertainment entertainment icon Reba McEntire to raise awareness and more than $ 500,000 for Habitat for Humanity.
Cook for the Cure: The Cook for the Cure served by KitchenAid, created in 2001 to give chef a passionate way to support Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Cook for the Cure has raised over $ 4 million through donation-by-purchase programs, special fundraising events, auctions and grassroots initiatives. KitchenAid also supports breast cancer foundations in other countries including Canada, France, Germany, South Africa, Greece and Israel.
In 2017, Whirlpool Corporation donated six new generation washing machines and six dryers along with several irons, after studying Pope Francis wants to create a laundry service for the homeless in Rome. Known as the People of Peace Center, the center is operated by the Community of Sant'Egidio, in the old San Gallicano hospital complex.
NASA Partnership
Whirlpool Corporation developed frozen ice cream in 1968 under contract to NASA for the Apollo missions.
Primary brand
- Acros (MÃÆ' Â © xico)
- Washer Washer Cleaners
- Amana
- Ariston
- Bauknecht
- Brastemp (Brazil)
- Consul
- Diqua (Chinese)
- Properties
- GarageWorks Gladiator
- Hotpoint (Europe)
- Indesit
- Inglis
- Jenn-Air
- KitchenAid
- Maytag
- Polar
- Privileges
- Roper
- Royalstar (China)
- Sanyo (Chinese)
- Stinol
- Whirlpool
Custom situations
- The Laksamana branded apparatus is sold exclusively at Home Depot
- The Crosley branded top-load washers for Crosley Appliances
- IKEA-branded devices are built for IKEA
- Kenmore branded tools made for Sears Holdings
References
- General
- Wisconsin Historical Archives FAQ
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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