WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)–Global appliance company Whirlpool Corp. (WHR) has signed an agreement with New Zealand appliance maker and exporter Fisher & Paykel Appliances Ltd. (FPA.NZ) allowing Whirlpool to sell the “DishDrawer” brand of dishwashers in the U.S.
The dishwashers that Fisher & Paykel will supply to Whirlpool are the double-draw design but will have different features and styling, the New Zealand appliance maker said in a statement to the stock exchange Tuesday.
“This opportunity endorses the innovative design of this product. The agreement that we have established with Whirlpool is a further development of the strategic alliance announced last year and will help the penetration of DishDrawer throughout the USA,” the company said.
Fisher & Paykel Appliances will continue to sell a full range of its double and single draw dishwashers through its own retail outlets in the U.S.
Initial shipments of dishwashers for Whirlpool are expected to start in the second half of 2004.