Whirlpool comes home again

Whirlpool is reaffirming its commitment to its U.S. manufacturing base by moving production of its commercial front-load washing machines from Monterrey, Mexico, to Clyde, Ohio.



Approximately 80-100 new jobs will be created in Clyde during the next three years to support this manufacturing relocation. The company expects the relocation to increase its operational efficiencies and align with its 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.



"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, VP of U.S. manufacturing. "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% being exported to Europe, Australia, Latin America and Asia.



Whirlpool's Clyde manufacturing plant is 2.4 million sq. ft. — 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 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.