PulteGroup Selects Whirlpool Corporation as New National Appliance Supplier

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), one of the nation’s largest home builders, today announced it has selected Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) as its exclusive appliance supplier effective as of October 1, 2010. Under this multi-year contract, Whirlpool Corporation will provide appliances to PulteGroup’s Pulte Homes, Del Webb and Centex communities in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Terms of the agreement were not released.

“This contract is just the most recent benefit from the Company’s strategic purchasing initiative resulting from last year’s merger with Centex,” said Deborah Wahl Meyer, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for PulteGroup. “In addition to this being a partnership between two Michigan-based companies with proud histories, Whirlpool Corporation offers products that align perfectly with PulteGroup’s unique multi-brand strategy.”

PulteGroup offers homebuyers branded products for every phase of life: Centex for entry-level buyers, Pulte Homes for move-up buyers and Del Webb for active adults. Whirlpool Corporation meets the upgrade and option needs of homeowners with brands that include Amana®, Whirlpool®, Whirlpool Gold®, KitchenAid® and Jenn-Air®.

Consumers purchasing a PulteGroup home now have the best of both worlds – a thoughtfully styled and reliably built home now outfitted with innovative Whirlpool Corporation appliances. This is an unbeatable value combination in today’s marketplace.

“We are honored to work with a world-class corporation and industry leader,” said Tom Halford, general manager, contract sales and marketing at Whirlpool Corporation. “We are thrilled to be the exclusive appliance supplier for all PulteGroup brands.”

About Whirlpool Corporation

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, Whirlpool Corporation strives to exceed expectations with distinct and innovative home appliances. The Inside Advantage™ is designed to meet the needs of Whirlpool Corporation’s building community customers. More than a program, The Inside Advantage™ provides trade customers with the strength of Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Market Insight and Targeted Services, all from one company.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 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. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit http://www.insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-952-2537 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-952-2537 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

About PulteGroup

PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM) based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is America’s premier home building company with operations in 67 markets, 29 states and the District of Columbia. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2010, the Company has an unmatched capacity to meet the needs of all buyer segments through its brand portfolio that includes Pulte Homes, Centex Homes and Del Webb. In 2009, PulteGroup brands received more top rankings than any other homebuilder in the annual J.D. Power and Associates 2009 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Studysm.

For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, see http://www.pultegroup.com; http://www.pultehomes.com; http://www.centex.com; http://www.delwebb.com

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Whirlpool Corporation Selects The Pizzuti Companies to Develop New Corporate Campus in Benton Harbor

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Sept 09, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Whirlpool Corporation today announced the selection of The Pizzuti Companies, of Columbus, Ohio as developer for its new corporate campus to be located at the intersection of Main Street and Riverview Drive in downtown Benton Harbor. The new development will transform the property into an office campus of three, three-story buildings and other amenities.

“Pizzuti offered a creative and talented team that not only embraced Whirlpool Corporation’s 100-year history but also demonstrated an understanding of what it takes to support our forward-looking innovation processes,” said Lee Utke, MCR, director of global corporate real estate for Whirlpool Corporation. “They offered a holistic solution, a commitment to using locally based contractors and service providers, and a demonstrated track record of successful community enhancement projects.”

The proposed design will also target LEED Gold certification.

Pizzuti’s development projects include the Heathrow International Business Center in Orlando, Florida and One and Two Miranova, a mixed-use redevelopment in downtown Columbus that features a luxury high-rise condominium tower and a 12-story Class A office building that serves as home to Pizzuti’s corporate headquarters. In addition, Pizzuti is serving as master developer for Exploration Park, a high-tech research and office park on the grounds of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Pizzuti also has completed multiple buildings for Whirlpool Corporation, including a 1.6 million-square-foot, LEED-certified facility.

“We’re extremely pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with Whirlpool Corporation,” said Joel S. Pizzuti, president and COO of The Pizzuti Companies. “The entire Pizzuti team is committed to delivering a sustainable, world-class corporate headquarters that will allow Whirlpool to continue to retain and attract the best and brightest minds to its corporate workforce.”

“The development of Whirlpool’s new campus is a component in the ongoing rebirth of Benton Harbor,” Pizzuti added. “We are confident that Whirlpool’s new campus will serve as an anchor to downtown Benton Harbor, to attract others to invest in revitalizing the area, to enhance the local tax base and to create new jobs along the way.”

In July, Whirlpool Corporation announced plans to build a new office campus as part of a consolidation of its 15 owned and leased facilities – located throughout the greater Benton Harbor and Saint Joseph area – to three centralized office campuses. The changes are expected to take approximately five years to complete and will allow the company to deliver on improvements in productivity, operations, energy efficiency, and overall employee experience. These changes will also allow the company to reduce its operating costs, and will provide greater flexibility to adjust to changing business and staffing needs.

The final three campuses will include the existing Benton Harbor Administrative Center, the St. Joseph Technology Center location, along with the new Main Street Benton Harbor campus. In addition to these three campuses, the company plans to retain its Hilltop Drive South offices, Harbor Town offices and its Business Travel Center.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 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.

About The Pizzuti Companies

Established in 1976, The Pizzuti Companies is a recognized leader in the development, marketing and management of real estate. With operations in Columbus, Chicago and Orlando, Pizzuti has developed more than 40 million square feet of Class A office, medical and healthcare, retail, residential and institutional-quality industrial facilities throughout the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States. Pizzuti also has considerable experience working with local governments in the development of creative public-private partnerships. A leader in sustainable design practices, Pizzuti has completed build-to-suit and speculative construction projects in each of their major markets. Pizzuti Solutions LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, boasts a staff with more than a century of combined public-sector work experiences, and focuses extensively in the areas of public facilities, sports and recreation, cultural facilities, education and strategic planning. http://www.pizzuti.com

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation

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Whirlpool Corporation and Michigan State University Commemorate National Day of Service with Habitat for Humanity Build

Governor Granholm Will Join Volunteers as MSU Graduate Student Constructs Home As Part of 2010 Whirlpool(R) Building Blocks Program

LANSING, Mich., Sept 10, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Michigan State University (MSU) students, faculty and staff will recognize the National Day of Service tomorrow with the kick-off of the 2010 Whirlpool(R) Building Blocks campus build. In partnership with Whirlpool Corporation, Habitat for Humanity Lansing, Habitat for Humanity International and local volunteers will be joined by Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm to raise walls in the name of affordable housing.

The house will be built on-campus in the commuter parking lot near Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane before being moved to its permanent location in Lansing, where construction will be completed. Festivities will begin tomorrow at 8 a.m. as Gov. Granholm and representatives from Whirlpool Corporation, Habitat for Humanity and MSU kick-off the build with a project blessing and a few words at the build site. The future homeowner is Anna Malavisi, a philosophy graduate student at MSU and mother of three. She and her children will be the 100th family housed by Habitat for Humanity Lansing.

“We’re honored to have Gov. Granholm with us as we help the Malavisi family achieve their dreams of home ownership,” said Denise Paquette, executive director, Habitat for Humanity Lansing. “With this new home, Anna will be able to raise her family in a safe, secure environment while she pursues her graduate degree. She’s a great role model for her daughters as well as for the community.”

Federal legislation in 2009 established the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. The purpose of the day is to encourage acts of service on Sept. 11 each year. MSU students, faculty, staff, alumni and others will participate in build shifts Sept. 11-18, and Sept. 27 through Oct. 15. The build will be completed on Oct. 15, coinciding with MSU’s Fall Homecoming activities.

“The National Day of Service is a great reminder of the good we can do with the Lansing community,” said Dr. Scott Witter, professor and director of MSU’s School of Planning, Design, and Construction (SPDC). “Involving students in outreach and community development is an integral part of the MSU experience. The Whirlpool(R) Building Blocks campus build will prove to be a rewarding opportunity for our school and our students, as we engage with the Malavisi family to build their very own home.”

The Whirlpool(R) Building Blocks program is Whirlpool Corporation’s signature program with Habitat for Humanity. This year’s build format includes seven communities around the country, including two builds on university campuses. Since 1999, Whirlpool Corporation has supported Habitat in its mission to create affordable housing and is one of the organization’s largest corporate sponsors.

“Whirlpool Corporation is proud of its 10-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity,” said Dave Binkley, a graduate of MSU and senior vice president of global human resources, Whirlpool Corporation. “We are pleased to sponsor and participate in the MSU campus build, and are grateful to Michigan State University, participating student organizations, Habitat for Humanity Lansing and Habitat for Humanity International for making it possible to make the dream of home ownership a reality for another Habitat family.”

A presentation of the keys to the Malavisis is planned to take place during the Oct. 16, 2010, MSU vs. University of Illinois Homecoming football game. For more information, visit http://www.whirlpool.com/habitat or http://www.facebook.com/whirlpoolbuildingblocks.

About Habitat for Humanity Lansing

Habitat for Humanity Lansing is a non-profit, ecumenical housing organization dedicated to eliminating poverty housing in the Greater Lansing Area. Since their founding in 1987, they have built or rehabilitated 85 homes locally. Houses are built in partnership with economically disadvantaged families using volunteer labor and sold via zero-interest mortgages. Habitat for Humanity Lansing is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit: http://www.habitatlansing.org

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit http://www.habitat.org.

About Whirlpool Corporation

In 10 years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity(R), Whirlpool Corporation has donated more than 110,000 ranges and ENERGY STAR(R) qualified refrigerators to new Habitat homes built in North America, serving 55,000 families. The company has sponsored more than 100 homes around the world and served nearly 10,000 families in Europe alone. Additionally, Whirlpool has donated more than 10,000 products to Habitat ReStores and has engaged more than 6,000 employee volunteers. A proud sponsor of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project since 2003, the value of the company’s commitment to Habitat nears $63 million. With active partnerships in 22 countries, Whirlpool plans to support every new Habitat home built globally by 2011, through product donations, cash or volunteerism. For more information, go to http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/responsibility/building_communities/habitat_for_humanity.aspx.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 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.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation

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Whirlpool Corporation Rocks the Appliance World with a 70-City Training Tour

Sales Teams Receive Arsenal of Product Information to Better Serve Customer Needs

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Sept 07, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Although not as famous as the latest summer tours of Bon Jovi or Lady Gaga, Whirlpool Corporation will soon be packing up and hitting the road as well. The seven-week initiative, “Whirlpool Corporation on Tour” will train sales associates in 70 cities across the United States on the latest new product innovations and key selling points of Whirlpool Corporation’s appliances.

“Whirlpool Corporation on Tour makes learning about the company’s products easy and entertaining,” said Liz Okon, Sales Training Manager at Whirlpool Corporation. “By bringing the training tools and field experts to sales associates across the nation, we are providing an unmatched, hands-on learning experience. A well-educated sales team offers customers better in-store experiences, and gives companies more opportunities to grow their business.”

Beginning in mid-September, the multi-day training will offer the latest product launch information on refrigerators, cooking appliances, dishwashers and laundry pairs from Whirlpool, Maytag and KitchenAid brands. Whirlpool on Tour’s “Backstage Pass” includes the newest laundry pairs from Maytag(R) and Whirlpool(R) brands.

Course content, led by field-brand experts, is geared towards sales teams of independent retailers, larger retail accounts, associate contract distributors, showroom consultants and designers, as well as home improvement stores. Sessions will be broken out into various segments in order to deliver customized training to meet the needs of each specific audience.

“Today’s sales associates assist homeowners in creating functional and efficient kitchen and laundry spaces. The branded vignettes on tour provide sales teams with examples of well-designed and practical recommendations for nearly all lifestyles,” added Okon.

For more information about Whirlpool Corporation on Tour, or to find out when a training event is coming to a city near you, contact your local account representative.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation strives to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The Inside Advantage(TM) is designed to meet the needs of Whirlpool Corporation’s building community customers. More than a program, The Inside Advantage(TM) provides trade customers with the strength of Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Market Insight and Targeted Services, all from one company.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 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. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit http://www.insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-952-2537.

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Whirlpool to Invest in Tennessee Plant

Appliance Maker, Along With Other Big Exporters, Is Fueling Productivity Gains by Revamping Domestic Production

Whirlpool Corp. will disclose on Wednesday the planned construction of a new plant in Tennessee that will serve as the centerpiece of a $300 million upgrade of domestic manufacturing facilities at the world’s largest household appliance maker by revenue.

The move highlights a shift by even export-driven U.S. manufacturers away from low-cost overseas locales in favor of rationalizing domestic operations to boost productivity.

Whirlpool considered sites in Mexico and elsewhere in the U.S. before opting to replacing a century-old factory in Cleveland, Tenn., where it assembles built-in cooking ranges and ovens. It will add 130 staff to an existing work force of 1,500.

The Benton Harbor, Mich., company has been aggressively reorganizing its North American assembly plants and distribution centers, consolidating smaller sites into larger facilities following its 2006 acquisition of rival Maytag Corp. It has closed plants in Evansville, Ind., Oxford, Miss., and recently outlined plans to close a Michigan plant.

The $120 million Cleveland project features a 400,000-square-foot distribution center and comes alongside a $175 million revamp of a plant in Clyde, Ohio, that will produce a new generation of washing machines.

A broader drop in manufacturing employment has masked improving international competitiveness. Caterpillar Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of construction equipment, has disclosed plans for new plants or plant expansions at a half dozen locations in the U.S.

“If people gauge the strength of U.S. manufacturing on employment you come up with a very different conclusion than if you focus on production,” said William Strauss, senior economist for the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago.

“Manufacturing has been recovering quite sharply. It’s probably the only sector of the U.S. economy that is experiencing a V-shaped recovery.”

U.S. manufacturing employment has been falling by an average of 0.1% a year for the past 60 years while factory output between 1950 and 2007 grew at an average annual rate of 3.4%, according to the Chicago Fed.

Factory automation and other productivity improvements have allowed companies to raise output while decreasing payrolls. Whirlpool reckons its revamped Clyde washing machine plant will cut the time needed to build a washer by at least 10% and boost output by more than 10%.

By building washers with more easily changeable components, Whirlpool will be able to assemble multiple models and brands from the same plant.

“Just about everything can be changed out,” said Frank Nekic, manager of washing machine development. “You can take one motor and replace it with another. It was much more difficult to create variations within the washers we had.”

Whirlpool sees similar production improvements coming from the new 1-million-square-foot Cleveland plant, which replaces a century-old factory where the company assembles built-in cooking ranges and ovens.

“This new plant will be laid out for cooking products,” said Al Holaday, vice president for North American manufacturing. “We won’t have parts going through the plant spaghetti.”

Preserving the Cleveland employees’ training and experience in lean manufacturing was a major consideration in choosing a site, he said. “Every one can pretty much duplicate the manufacturing process,” Mr. Holaday said. “What I can’t do is duplicate the experienced work force.”

Tennessee and local governments committed to providing Whirlpool with about $45 million in tax breaks, abatements and grants to offset the company’s costs of building the plant.

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MSU, Whirlpool Announce Partnership for Habitat On-Campus Build

Michigan State University (MSU) students, faculty and staff will recognize the National Day of Service on Sept. 11, 2010, launching a Habitat for Humanity campus blitz build in partnership with Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR), Habitat For Humanity Lansing and Habitat for Humanity International.

The build is part of the 2010 Whirlpool® Building Blocks initiative, Whirlpool Corporation’s signature program with Habitat for Humanity. Since 1999, Whirlpool Corporation has supported Habitat in its mission to create affordable housing and the company is one of the organization’s largest corporate sponsors.

The first phase of construction will take place in the commuter parking lot near Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane. The house will then be moved to its permanent location in Lansing, where construction will be completed. The future homeowner is a graduate student at MSU, and she and her children will be the 100th family housed by Habitat for Humanity Lansing. The build will end on Oct. 15, wrapping up MSU’s Fall Welcome activities.

“Partnerships, like this one with Whirlpool Corporation and Michigan State University, allow us to create affordable housing opportunities in partnership with local families,” said Denise Paquette, executive director, Habitat for Humanity Lansing. “We are excited to be working with MSU and the students. Students support Habitat’s work both locally, nationally and worldwide.”

Involving students in outreach and community development activities is fundamental to the MSU experience.

“At MSU, service and community engagement are part of the academic experience. In fact, MSU has the oldest continuously operating service learning center in the country,” said Karen McKnight Casey, director of MSU’s Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement. “MSU was approached by Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool Corporation to partner in this first on-campus build of a Habitat house because of our strong commitment to and engagement with community. MSU students will not only give through their participation in this tangible representation of campus to community connections, but also will gain in their knowledge and understanding of civic responsibility.”

A presentation of the keys to the new homeowners is planned to take place during the Oct. 16, 2010, MSU vs. University of Illinois Homecoming football game.

“Whirlpool Corporation is proud of its 10-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity,” said Dave Binkley, a graduate of MSU and senior vice president of global human resources, Whirlpool Corporation. “We are pleased to sponsor and participate in the MSU campus build, and are grateful to Michigan State University, participating student organizations, Habitat for Humanity Lansing and Habitat for Humanity International for making it possible to make the dream of home ownership a reality for another Habitat family.”

Source: http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/

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