Whirlpool Corp. announced Tuesday that it is making a series of changes to some of its North American manufacturing facilities. These changes are part of a restructuring of the company’s regional manufacturing facilities, supply base, product platforms and technology resources.
The company will be adjusting workforce levels at several facilities to optimize production levels. A planned expansion of refrigeration products at its Ramos Arizpe, Mexico facility in 2007 will mean 700 employees at the Whirlpool facility in Fort Smith, Arkansas will be laid off in the first half of 2008 due to a transfer of production. Whirlpool has already laid off 940 employees at the Fort Smith facility.
Whirlpool cites lower consumer demand projections for top freezer refrigeration products as the reason for the expected layoff of 500 employees at its Evansville, Indiana facility.
Also part of the restructuring plan is the previously-announced expansion of its Ohio-based laundry manufacturing operations. Whirlpool expects to have 1,100 jobs split between its two Ohio facilities of Clyde and Marion. Production at Clyde and Marion is expected to begin prior to the end of the year.