Whirlpool Corporation has been named one of 25 Noteworthy Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc magazine. The company was recognized for its excellent community philanthropy, employee-resource groups and measurement of diversity success. Other companies included on the 25 Noteworthy Companies list included Comcast Co., DaimlerChrysler, Hewlett-Packard, The New York Times Co., and Starbucks Coffee Co.

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The 25 Noteworthy Companies list is part of DiversityInc's annual Top 50 Companies for Diversity survey. It is a list of honorable mentions, companies that either came close to earning spots on DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity list and/or demonstrated real diversity strength in at least one of the four areas surveyed -- CEO commitment, human capital, corporate communications and supplier diversity. In DiversityInc's estimation, each of the 25 noteworthy companies has a chance at making the Top 50 list next year. In fact, five of the companies on this year's Top 50 lists, including No. 1- ranked Altria Group, were on last year's noteworthy list.

"This recognition for our diversity and inclusion initiatives is a sign that we are making progress," said Jeff Fettig, chairman, president and CEO, Whirlpool Corporation. "We still have progress to make, but receiving an honorable mention reaffirms that we're moving in the right direction from an employee engagement and overall business perspective."

"Our ultimate goal is to become employer of choice," said Angela Roseboro, corporate director of Global Diversity, Whirlpool Corporation. "This recognition is one indication that we are making real progress in driving our diversity, inclusion and engagement strategy to ensure that we hire, develop and engage great talent."

DiversityInc.com is a leading online source of diversity benchmarking information and career advice for professionals. Launched in 1998, the site is a companion to its print magazine, which has grown to a circulation of 150,000 since its inception in 2002.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of over $13 billion, 68,000 employees, and nearly 50 manufacturing and technology research centers around the globe. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Brastemp, Bauknecht, Consul and other major brand names to consumers in more than 170 countries. Additional information about the company can be found on the Internet at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/ .

SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation