BENTON HARBOR, Mich., April 17,
2012/PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:
WHR) stated that the U.S. International Trade Commission
("ITC") today found that unlawfully traded
bottom-mount refrigerators imported from South
Koreaand Mexicodid not cause material
injury to the U.S. industry. The company plans to review
the ITC's final decision and will determine whether or
not to appeal.
"Of course we're extremely disappointed by
today's ruling and the implications it has for our U.S.
production of bottom-mount refrigerators," said
Marc Bitzer, President, Whirlpool North
America. "We believe the facts clearly demonstrated
that dumped imports of bottom-mount refrigerators from
South Koreaand Mexicoare causing
injury to the U.S. industry. Despite today's ruling,
Whirlpool remains committed to taking action against any
unlawful trade practices that threaten our 23,000 U.S.
employees or our ability to produce in the United
Statesthe innovative and high-quality products that
consumers demand."
Whirlpool filed anti-dumping and anti-subsidy petitions in
March 2011to establish conditions of fair
competition that will support continued investment and
innovation in the production of high-end refrigerators in
the United States, and the American jobs
created by that production. The Whirlpool products affected
by this case are made in Amana, Iowa, where
the company employs approximately 2,200 people.
As the world's leading home appliance maker, Whirlpool
Corporation is a recognized leader in product innovation
and quality. Whirlpool products received 10 "Best
Buy" designations and were ranked first in five
categories in a leading U.S. consumer magazine.
For additional information and to view the petitions please
visit http://whirlpoolcorp.com/facts.
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading
manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with
annual sales of approximately $19 billionin
2011, 68,000 employees, and 66 manufacturing and technology
research centers around the world. The company markets
Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air,
Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other
major brand names to consumers in nearly every country
around the world. Additional information about the company
can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.
This document contains forward-looking statements about
Whirlpool Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries
("Whirlpool") that speak only as of this date.
Whirlpool disclaims any obligation to update these
statements. Forward-looking statements in this document may
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding
expected earnings per share, cash flow, productivity and
material and oil-related prices. Many risks, contingencies
and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ
materially from Whirlpool's forward-looking statements.
Among these factors are: (1) intense competition in the
home appliance industry reflecting the impact of both new
and established global competitors, including Asian and
European manufacturers; (2) Whirlpool's ability to
continue its relationship with significant trade customers
and the ability of these trade customers to maintain or
increase market share; (3) changes in economic conditions
which affect demand for our products, including the
strength of the building industry and the level of interest
rates; (4) inventory and other asset risk; (5) global,
political and/or economic uncertainty and disruptions,
especially in Whirlpool's significant geographic
regions, including uncertainty and disruptions arising from
natural disasters or terrorist attacks; (6) The
impact of the European debt crisis; (7) the ability
of Whirlpool to achieve its business plans, productivity
improvements, cost control, price increases, leveraging of
its global operating platform, and acceleration of the rate
of innovation; (8) fluctuations in the cost of key
materials (including steel, oil, plastic, resins, copper
and aluminum) and components and the ability of Whirlpool
to offset cost increases; (9) litigation and legal
compliance risk and costs, especially costs which may be
materially different from the amount we expect to incur or
have accrued for; (10) product liability and product
recall costs; (11) the effects and costs of
governmental investigations or related actions by third
parties; (12) Whirlpool's ability to obtain and protect
intellectual property rights; (13) the ability of
suppliers of critical parts, components and manufacturing
equipment to deliver sufficient quantities to Whirlpool in
a timely and cost-effective manner; (14) health care
cost trends, regulatory changes and variations between
results and estimates that could increase future funding
obligations for pension and post retirement benefit
plans; (15) information technology system failures
and data security breaches; (16) the impact of labor
relations; (17) our ability to attract, develop and retain
executives and other qualified employees; (18) changes in
the legal and regulatory environment including
environmental and health and safety regulations; and (19)
the ability of Whirlpool to manage foreign currency
fluctuations.Whirlpool Corporation's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most
recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K.
SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation