Whirlpool announces massive layoffs

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. Whirlpool said it would lay off approximately 700 employees at its Fort Smith, Ark. facility. The layoffs are expected to begin in November, and there is currently no timetable for when employees may be called back to the facility.

The company also recently announced a voluntary layoff of 120 employees at its Evansville, In. manufacturing facility.

"Like many manufacturers, we are facing a marketplace filled with unprecedented challenges, including lower demand levels, significant and unrelenting increases in the costs of steel, oil and other materials used to make and deliver our products," said Alan Holaday, vp of manufacturing operations of Whirlpool, North America Region."These workforce adjustments, while difficult for our employees and their families, are necessary to remain competitive in the global marketplace."