Whirlpool, makers of washing machines announce layoffs

Posted 2010

Whirlpool, manufacturer of kitchen appliances such as washing machines, have announced the immediate layoff of two hundred and fifty workers.

Due to the downturn in demand worldwide for their products, Whirlpool have announced this cut in their night shift of workers at many of their plants.

It's perhaps interesting to note that none of the workers laid off (latest wave in North America) are members of a union.

Simplifying the task for Whirlpool, and halting any unwelcome press coverage of union strikes. However, Whirlpool were stressing that if an upturn in demand occurs, these workers would be recalled.

The job cuts will be from Whirlpool's plant in Clyde, but, there will be further cut backs worldwide, which will see a total cut of five thousand jobs.

Two thousand jobs will be lost in south and central America, and one thousand and nine hundred jobs will be lost across the total European continent. In it's home continent, North America, the total jobs lost will be five hundred.

One plant in the United States will completely close, based in Jackson, Tennessee. Some of the jobs of this plant will be transferred to Whirlpool's plant in Findlay, Ohio.

The total decrease in sales from 2007 to 2008 is expected to be in the region of ten per cent. This means a decrease of total profits of around fifteen million pounds.

Therefore unit shipments have expected to drop by around five per cent to the European bloc. But, positive news was released about sales in South America.

The Latin bloc saw a huge leap of twenty per cent in sales, which was part in due to the increase of gross domestic product of nations such as Brazil.