Whirlpool announces $300M investment

CLYDE — The Whirlpool Corp., which bills itself as the "leading home appliance manufacturer" in the U.S., announced on Thursday a multimillion-dollar investment in two of its Ohio facilities. The $300 million investment is expected to create: • Between 400 and 600 jobs in Clyde and Marion, supporting the production of the company's next-generation washers and dryers • About 5,000 additional jobs outside of the company The company expects the investment will position Whirlpool "for increased production of its next generation of washers and dryers," , according to a release from the company. In Ohio, the company has more than 8,000 employees across five manufacturing sites, including 4,000-plus workers at the laundry production plants in Clyde and Marion. The Clyde manufacturing plant, established in 1952, is the largest washing machine factory in the world, producing more than 4 million washers each year with about 2,500 employees. Its plant in Marion also recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. The 1,800 employees at the Marion plant focus on making dryers under the Whirlpool, Maytag, and Amana brand names. Investment in industrial 'legacy' The company's investment was announced at a Wednesday event at the Clyde plant. During the event, organizers played several video recordings from Ohio's Congressional representatives, including Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur as well as Ohio's two Republican U.S. senators, Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno. "You can't do 'Made in America' without 'Made in Ohio,'" Husted said. "Whirlpool is a great example of this." Added Kaptur: "These investments are more than dollars on a page. They secure faith in our people, in our region's legacy of industrial strength and in the future of American manufacturing, made in the U.S.A." Started in America, stayed in America The Michigan-based manufacturer, founded more than 110 years ago in 1911, has remained committed to ensuring that all of the company's manufacturing is done within the nation. Marc Bitzer, the company's chairman and CEO, said that this most recent investment is another way to further achieve this commitment. "This $300 million investment in our Clyde and Marion facilities underscores our dedication to creating jobs, fostering innovation and delivering high-quality, American-made appliances to U.S. consumers," Bitzer said. Fast facts The company, via a fact sheet, provided some additional details on its American operation: • 80% — The percentage of major appliances it sells in the U.S. that are produced in the U.S. • $23 billion — This constitutes the amount Whirlpool spent on manufacturing, labor and logistics over the past decade. • About 20,000 — The size of Whirlpool's U.S. workforce • About 14,000 — The number of the company's U.S.-based manufacturing employees.