Whirlpool Corporation

Description

Whirlpool Corporation today is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances. Whirlpool realizes annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2008, has 70,000 employees and maintains 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. We market Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Our beginnings, though, were much more humble, based on a business failure and the vision of one family. In 1908, Lou Upton invested his savings in a venture to manufacture household equipment. When that company failed to materialize, Upton was offered the opportunity to select something of value from the failed venture as a return on his investment. He chose the patents on a hand washing machine that he thought might be electrified. Lou Upton brought the patents and his innovative vision home to St. Joseph, Michigan. In 1911, Lou joined his uncle Emory and brother Fred to produce motor-driven wringer washers as the Upton Machine Company. The company's first major order for 100 washing machines came almost immediately. A problem arose when a cast-iron gear in the transmission failed — in every single machine. Upon learning of the issue, Lou Upton replaced the defective parts with a new cut-steel gear. Impressed with the fledgling company's business ethics, the customer doubled its order to 200 washing machines. Upton Machine continued to grow. In order to meet increased customer demand, in 1929 it merged with the Nineteen Hundred Washer Company of New York. Together they formed the Nineteen Hundred Corporation, and business grew steadily, in spite of the Great Depression of the 1930s. We began experimenting with new products, innovative technologies and strong engineering and sales.

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