DETROIT (AP) — Whirlpool Corp. says it is closing its refrigerator plant in La Vergne, eliminating about 500 jobs and moving the work to an Arkansas plant.
The Benton Harbor, Mich.-based appliance maker says it is also eliminating 750 jobs by closing a plant in Reynosa, Mexico.
Production of built-in refrigerators made in Tennessee will move to the company's Fort Smith, Ark., plant, which plans to add about 275 jobs by December.
Production of side-by-side refrigerators made at the plant in Reynosa will shift to the company's Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, site, which plans to add about 600 employees by midyear.
The company says it will offer affected employees severance packages and will work with unions. The restructuring efforts are expected to cost between $15 million and $20 million.
