Whirlpool Corp. is eliminating 33 positions in its Global Information Systems department, with the jobs going to IBM in Brazil.
Spokesman Steve Duthie said the 33 people losing their jobs can apply for other jobs with the appliance maker, but there is no way of knowing yet how many will be successful. Duthie said IBM has long provided computer-related services to Whirlpool, and IBM in Brazil has been doing work for Whirlpool’s appliance-making operation in that country.
The affected employees were notified Jan. 12. The transition of the work to IBM started Jan. 19 and will continue through April.
Duthie said the jobs being eliminated locally deal with such functions as data storage, network maintenance and troubleshooting. The employees work in Whirlpool’s Administrative Center in Benton Township.
Whirlpool cited cost savings, eliminating duplication and complexity and more experience by IBM in the areas being eliminated as reasons for shifting the work to IBM.
Duthie said Whirlpool still employs more than 200 people locally in its Global Information Systems and about 2,600 people in the Twin Cities area, where the company has its world headquarters and several other operations.
From The Herald Palladium
