Whirlpool Corp. will slash 4,500 Maytag jobs by the end of 2007 as the appliance maker begins to integrate the Maytag brand into its operations following its merger in March.
“We are taking these actions to rapidly restore the competitiveness of the Maytag brands,” said Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool chairman and CEO is a statement. “This is an important step in our integration process that will allow us to drive continuing performance improvements and will better align our brands, products and operations with the markets we serve domestically and globally.”
Locations affected by the changes include three manufacturing sites, the former Maytag corporate headquarters and a research and development center in Newton, IA, and administrative offices in Illinois, Canada and Mexico.
“The history of the Maytag brands were an important consideration for us when we bought the company,” said Dan Verakis, Whirlpool spokesperson.
As a result, Whirlpool will keep the Maytag line of appliances and name, Verakis said.
Whirlpool is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, more than 80,000 employees, and more than 60 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. Whirlpool acquired Maytag for $2.6 billion in March.
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