Whirlpool Corporation announced last week that it plans to add 500 new jobs to its manufacturing facility in Cleveland. The announcement was a big relief to the area, as there had been concern the plant would relocate. Whirlpool will be consolidating the North American production of built-in ovens and cook-tops by moving operations from its Oxford, Miss. plant to the Cleveland, Tenn. facility.

As Bradley County’s largest employer, Whirlpool expects its Cleveland workforce - including manufacturing, engineering and call center employees - to grow to 1,650 by 2009.

 Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber heralded the announcement.  “I thank Whirlpool for its ongoing commitment to Bradley County and its confidence in the local work force.  Today’s announcement will strengthen the area economy and is a testament to the business-friendly climate we’ve worked hard to create in Tennessee,” said Governor Bredesen last week.

Kisber added, “The jobs created by this announcement represent the type of higher skilled, good paying positions Governor Bredesen and I believe are essential to Tennessee’s economic progress.  We’re grateful to Whirlpool for the company’s continued investment in the people of Tennessee.”

Whirlpool was recently named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere and Forbes magazines and one of the Top 50 Most Respected U.S. Companies by the Reputation Institute and Forbes.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion, 73,000 employees, and 72 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.