Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR), the world's largest manufacturer of home appliances, officially opened its new, state-of-the-art Riverview Campus today in Benton Harbor, Mich. The company held a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a tour of the new offices.
"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 chief executive officer for Whirlpool Corporation. "The Riverview Campus allows Whirlpool Corporation to deliver on improvements in productivity, operations, energy efficiency, and overall employee experience."
An investment of $70 million, the Riverview Campus is located at 600 W. Main Street in Benton Harbor and covers 245,275 square feet on an 11.9 acre site. The campus is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is seeking LEED Gold certification.
James Hightower, Mayor of Benton Harbor, and Phil Maki, chairman of Cornerstone Alliance, attended the ceremony and provided remarks. Whirlpool executives in attendance included: Jeff Fettig; Marc Bitzer, president of North America Region; Lynanne Kunkel, vice president of North America Region Human Resources; and Jeff Noel, vice president of Communications & Public Affairs.
Construction began on the offices with a groundbreaking ceremony in November 2010, as part of the company's plan to consolidate its 15 owned and leased facilities into three centralized office campuses. The three campuses now include the existing Administrative Center and Technology Center Campuses, as well as the multiple building Riverview Campus. The company also plans to retain its Hilltop South offices at 150 Hilltop Road in St. Joseph and the Harbor Town offices at 145 East Main Street, Benton Harbor.
As the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, Whirlpool Corporation spends more than $7.4 billion each year to operate its nine U.S. plants and keep its approximately 15,000 manufacturing employees at work. In fact, Whirlpool employs more U.S. manufacturing workers than all of its major competitors combined, contributing to its industry-leading innovation. Right here in Michigan and elsewhere around the country, Whirlpool continues to invest in America and its people who are helping to improve lives, one home one family at a time through world class products and services. In addition, more than 80 percent of the products Whirlpool Corporation makes that are sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S.Whirlpool Corporation continues to invest in U.S. manufacturing jobs and $1 billion in its U.S. footprint from 2010-2014, including:
- A new $200 million production facility and distribution center recently opened in Cleveland, Tennessee, adding 130 new jobs to the existing workforce there.
- Acquisition of the former WC Wood facility in Ottawa, Ohio, adding nearly 400 jobs and bringing total employment in the State of Ohio to approximately 10,000, making it the largest manufacturing center for appliances in the U.S.
- A $175 million investment in the company's Clyde, Ohio laundry facilities, which produce some of the most energy and water efficient laundry products available.
- A $20 million investment in its Amana, Iowa refrigeration plant to drive improved productivity and efficiency.
Source: Whirlpool
