Whirlpool have announced today that they are to layoff workers at its Fort Smith, Arkansas manufacturing facility.
According to Whirlpool it would lay off approximately 700 employees at its Fort Smith facility. The layoffs are expected to begin in November 2008, and there is currently no timetable for when employees may be called back to the facility.
Whirlpool also recently announced a voluntary layoff of 120 employees at its Evansville manufacturing facility.
“Like many manufacturers, we are facing a marketplace filled with unprecedented challenges, including lower demand levels, significant and unrelenting increases in the costs of steel, oil and other materials used to make and deliver our products,” said Alan Holaday, vice president, Manufacturing Operations, Whirlpool Corporation, North America Region. “These workforce adjustments, while difficult for our employees and their families, are necessary to remain competitive in the global marketplace.”
Whirlpool in 2008 has taken significant steps within its operations to ensure the company remains competitive. These include ongoing productivity initiatives and the announced consolidation of several manufacturing facilities.
Meanwhile Whirlpool has also accelerated its schedule of product innovations, launching more than 70 new products in North America during 2008 under its leading brand names. The new products include new products in every major category.