Whirlpool Corporation on September 15 announced a layoff at its Fort Smith, Ark. manufacturing facility.
The company said it would lay off approximately 700 employees at its Fort Smith, Ark. facility. The layoffs are expected to begin in November 2008, 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, Ind., 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, vice president for manufacturing operations, Whirlpool Corporation, North America Region. "These workforce adjustments, while difficult for our employees and their families, are necessary to remain competitive in the global marketplace."
Whirlpool in 2008 has – as part of its global operating platform strategy – taken significant steps within its operations to ensure the company remains competitive. These include ongoing productivity initiatives and the announced consolidation of several manufacturing facilities.
Whirlpool has also accelerated its schedule of product innovations, launching more than 70 new products in North America during 2008 under its leading brand names. The new products include new products in every major category. The company has also continued to aggressively support brand-building marketing plans to help ensure consumers are aware of the new products and features introduced to the market.
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion, 73,000 employees, and 72 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 to consumers in nearly every country around the world.