Maytag Corporation Receives Unsolicited Proposal From Whirlpool NEWTON, Iowa, July 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Maytag Corporation (NYSE: MYG) confirmed today that it received the unsolicited Whirlpool Corporation proposal and said that its Board of Directors, in accordance with its duties, would consider such proposal. Maytag also said that its Board of Directors has not changed its recommendation of the existing Ripplewood-led transaction. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000505/MYGLOGO ) Maytag Corporation is a $4.7 billion home and commercial appliance company focused in North America and in targeted international markets. The corporation's primary brands are Maytag(R), Hoover(R), Jenn-Air(R), Amana(R), Dixie-Narco(R) and Jade(R). Forward-Looking Statements This document includes statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding benefits of the proposed transactions, expected cost savings and anticipated future financial operating performance and results, including estimates of growth. These statements are based on the current expectations of management of Maytag. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this document. For example, with respect to the transaction with a group led by Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. (1) Maytag may be unable to obtain shareholder approval required for the transaction; (2) Maytag may be unable to obtain regulatory approvals required for the transaction, or required regulatory approvals may delay the transaction or result in the imposition of conditions that could have a material adverse effect on Maytag or cause the parties to abandon the transaction; (3) conditions to the closing of the transaction may not be satisfied or the merger agreement may be terminated prior to closing; (4) Maytag may be unable to achieve cost-cutting goals or it may take longer than expected to achieve those goals; (5) the transaction may involve unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities; (6) the credit ratings of Maytag or its subsidiaries may be different from what the parties expect; (7) the businesses of Maytag may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the transaction; (8) the industry may be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions that could adversely affect Maytag; and (9) Maytag may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Additional factors that may affect the future results of Maytag are set forth in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which are available at http://www.maytagcorp.com/. Maytag undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional Information and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed transaction with an investor group led by private equity firm Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., Maytag has filed a definitive proxy statement and may file other relevant documents concerning the proposed merger with SEC. WE URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND THE OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MAYTAG AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors can obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement as well as other filed documents containing information about Maytag at http://www.sec.gov/, SEC's Web site. Free copies of Maytag's SEC filings are also available on Maytag's Web site at http://www.maytagcorp.com/. Participants in the Solicitation Maytag and its executive officers and directors and Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., Triton Acquisition Holding and Triton Acquisition and their respective affiliates, executive officers and directors may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Maytag's stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding the officers and directors of Maytag is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting filed with SEC on April 4, 2005. More detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by securities, holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the proxy statement and other materials filed or to be filed with SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. Media Contact: Karen Lynn and John Daggett Maytag Corporate Communications (641) 787-8185 or (641) 787-7711 and Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000505/MYGLOGO AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com DATASOURCE: Maytag Corporation CONTACT: Media - Karen Lynn, +1-641-787-8185, or John Daggett, +1-641-787-7711, , both of Maytag Corporate Communications Web site: http://www.maytagcorp.com/

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