Whirlpool to Eliminate 4,500 Jobs, Shut 3 Plants

Whirlpool Corp. said it would eliminate 4,500 jobs by closing three plants and consolidating corporate offices and other sites after its purchase of rival appliance maker Maytag Corp.

The moves come less than six weeks after Whirlpool completed its acquisition of Maytag, extending its lead as the nation’s biggest appliance maker with brands that include Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air and Amana.

The cuts represent about 5.6% of Whirlpool’s current workforce of about 80,000 employees. But Whirlpool said it would add about 1,500 jobs, many at two Ohio plants, reducing the net loss of jobs to 3,000 positions, or 3.8% of its workforce.

Shares of the Benton Harbor, Mich.-based appliance maker fell 92 cents to $92.17.