Content about Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corp. renewed its exclusive appliance partnership with Beazer Homes to provide an array of Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Maytag brand appliances to Beazer homes throughout the United States.

Home Depot has announced the expansion of its major appliance brands by adding Whirlpool, Electrolux and Frigidaire in a limited number of stores and on Homedepot.com.

The appliances will be available through the company's Depot Direct delivery network and available to be ordered in all U.S. stores. Depot Direct includes more than 3,000 appliances delivered and installed to the customer's home within one to five days of purchase. Appliance purchases through Depot Direct include free delivery and haul-away.

UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), has announced that appliance manufacturer Whirlpool Corp. has become the first company in the marketplace to achieve certification of its products to the new AHAM-CSA-UL sustainability standard for household refrigeration appliances.

Whirlpool Corp. has announced the opening of its new, state-of-the-art Riverview Campus in Benton Harbor, Mich.

"With the opening of this beautiful and spacious campus, we are looking forward to a continued future with the city of Benton Harbor, which we have been proud to call home for over 100 years," said Jeff Fettig, chairman and CEO. "The Riverview Campus allows Whirlpool Corp. to deliver on improvements in productivity, operations, energy efficiency and overall employee experience."

In a preliminary finding, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has sided with Whirlpool in its anti-dumping petition against Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics. The Benton Harbor, Mich., manufacturer claims it is being harmed by Samsung and LG, which are selling washers made in South Korea and Mexico at below fair value.

Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool's CEO Jeff Fettig forecast industry demand in 2012 as "flat to slightly improving." 

The company posted sales of $4.9 billion in the fourth quarter, down slightly from $5.0 billion. But fourth-quarter net earnings increased to $205 million, compared with net earnings of $171 million during the same period last year.

The North America region reported operating profit of $202 million for the quarter compared with $53 million in the previous year.

Appliance maker Whirlpool prevailed in a preliminary finding by the U.S. Commerce Department that foreign producers in South Korea and Mexico -- including Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics -- violated United States and International trade laws by “dumping” bottom-mount refrigerators in the United States.

Whirlpool has announced that Roy Templin, EVP and CFO, will retire from the company. As part of the planned transition, Templin will remain in his current capacity until April 2012 to complete Whirlpool's year-end reporting and other transitional items. At that time, Larry Venturelli -- currently SVP corporate controller, chief accounting officer and CFO for Whirlpool International -- will succeed Templin as EVP and CFO.

Canadian Tire is making a strong push into major appliances.

The 1,200-store Canadian chain now offers Inglis refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers and cooking ranges, as well as Amana freezers and microwaves at its stores across the country.

The expansion into appliances follows an 11-store test last year. 

From ballots sent out electronically earlier this year, Home Channel News received a record number of votes for Golden Hammer Winners, producing 32 winners in four categories. The Home Decor category -- subdivided into seven sub-categories, produced the following winners:

• Decorative Hardware & Locksets – Kwikset

• Decorative Lighting & Fixtures – Cooper Lighting (regent)

• Fashion Fixtures – Kohler

• Home Organization – Newell Rubbermaid

• Major Appliances – Whirlpool

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with DeVilbiss Air Power Co. of Jackson, Tenn., has issued a voluntary recall of certain air compressors due to a fire hazard.

Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool Corporation announced that Cyndi Smith and John Talman, account managers for the Southern States Contract Sales Division, have earned Certified Green Professional (CGP) designations from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).