Technology center to be laundry, dishwasher and
small appliance innovation hub
Facility to employ more than 500 Michigan-based
high-tech talent
BENTON
HARBOR, Mich., Aug. 18,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- (NYSE: WHR)
- Whirlpool Corporation today unveiled a new
153,000-square-foot technology center in St. Joseph, Mich. The $60+ million project
expands and replaces much of the current St. Joseph Technology
Center. This is the first of a three phase plan to redesign an
iconic research and development facility that has been home to
decades of appliance innovations.
"In 1911, the first electric washing machines were built here in
St. Joseph, Michigan, and we
continue to grow that legacy with the investment in this new,
state-of-the-art technology center," said Marc Bitzer, Whirlpool chairman and CEO. "We are
committed to this community, and to improving life at home for
families around the world. This new technology hub helps enable
both of these promises by creating a new space where future
innovation will come to life."
The expanded St. Joseph Technology Center is LEED Silver
certified, a globally recognized ranking of sustainability
achievement and leadership. The work that is done in this new
facility will be focused on delivering great consumer solutions
through the washers, dryers, dishwashers, and small appliance
products designed and tested here including the iconic KitchenAid
Stand Mixer. The facility employs more than 500 technicians,
engineers, designers and adjacent roles, and contains 21 testing
labs.
"This $60 million investment by
Whirlpool builds on the company's longstanding commitment to
Southwest Michigan," said Gov.
Whitmer. "This transformative project will help Whirlpool attract
top talent, put more people on paths to good-paying, high-skill
jobs, and continue our mission to help anyone 'make it' in
Michigan. Our unemployment rate is
the lowest it has been in 23 years, we are moving forward on
housing and community revitalization projects across the state, and
we just delivered a bipartisan budget to lower costs, expand
workforce programs, and power economic development. We look forward
to continuing our work together to build a bright future."
Whirlpool Corporation has invested more than $230 million in new or expanded facilities in the
St. Joseph and Benton Harbor communities in the last ten
years. The corporation also invested an additional
$23 million in the 80-unit Emma Jean
Hull Flats housing development in Benton
Harbor which opened in June.
"This new building offers state-of-the-art technology for
product design, development and testing to help address consumer
needs now and for the future," said Pam
Klyn, Whirlpool executive vice president of corporate
relations and sustainability. "The appliances designed within the
four walls of this new technology center will represent new levels
of innovation and sustainability so consumers can feel confident
they are making the right choice for their lifestyle and the
environment."
Whirlpool Corp. products have continuously improved water and
energy efficiency while increasing performance benefits to
consumers for decades. The average clothes washers built today use
nearly 78% less energy than those built in 1992, while their
capacity has increased by 60%. In addition, most dishwashers
developed by the company are already 3 to 4 times more
water-efficient than hand washing - with the potential to save over
2,500 gallons of water per home each year.
As employees begin to transition to the new building, work will
continue into 2024 to complete the next phases of the St. Joseph
Technology Center project including renovation of the facade of the
remaining portion and increased parking to improve access for
employees.
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation
(NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and
laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In
an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful
innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its
iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool,
KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp,
Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit,
Yummly and InSinkErator. In 2022, the company
reported approximately $20 billion in
annual sales, 61,000 employees and 56 manufacturing and technology
research centers. Additional information about the company can be
found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
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SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation