BENTON HARBOR, Mich.,
Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- Whirlpool Corporation plans to expand its operations in
Tulsa, Oklahoma with the addition
of a new Factory Distribution Center (FDC). Adjacent to its
existing manufacturing plant, the warehouse will support increased
production capacity and improve efficiencies within the existing
supply chain across North America,
while simultaneously supporting growth in the region.
"This new facility will help us streamline operations, from both
a production and distribution standpoint, and ultimately allow us
to better serve our customers throughout the region," said
Jim Keppler, vice president,
Integrated Supply Chain and Quality - North America Region at
Whirlpool Corporation. "This investment is a testament to our
skilled workforce in Tulsa and our
strong relationship with the state of Oklahoma and the Tulsa community. We're excited to break ground
and bring this project to life."
Construction of the new, 798,000 square-foot facility is
expected to begin in mid-November
2018, with a targeted completion date of December 2019. A $55
million capital investment in the FDC will allow Whirlpool
Corporation to expand manufacturing and distribution at its
Tulsa plant, which currently
produces more than two million cooking appliance products each
year. The FDC will also create a central location among the
company's existing distribution centers in North America, further enhancing the company's
supply chain.
"Today's announcement by Whirlpool represents yet another major
investment in the Tulsa community
by one of the top companies in the world," Mayor G.T. Bynum said. "Whirlpool has been a steadfast
corporate citizen, and one of the region's leaders in recruiting
Tulsans of all backgrounds and nationalities into their workforce.
They are a model of the work we are advocating through the New
Tulsans Initiative, and we look forward to ensuring they are able
to continue to grow their operations in the region."
The expansion project will support the creation of an estimated
150 additional manufacturing jobs in Tulsa.
"This investment by Whirlpool will ensure its long-term
viability in our state, and recognizes the strong economic growth
of our economy," said Oklahoma
Governor Mary Fallin. "We are
excited to add these new jobs and investment in our state. This is
another indication that our commitment to pro-business policies is
helping to retain and attract a wide variety of jobs and businesses
to our state."
Whirlpool Corporation is working with retail developer The
Pizzuti Companies and design-build contractor ARCO Design/Build for
the expansion project. Pizzuti has previously supported the
development of more than a dozen office and industrial facilities
for Whirlpool Corporation around the
United States.
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is the world's leading major
home appliance company, with approximately $21 billion in annual sales, 92,000 employees and
70 manufacturing and technology research centers in 2017. The
company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag,
Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht,
JennAir, Indesit and other major brand names in
nearly every country throughout the world. Additional information
about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or find us on
Twitter at @WhirlpoolCorp.
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SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation