Whirlpool Corporation today announced the annual performance awards for the company's U.S. suppliers. They will be acknowledged tonight at a Supplier Performance Awards Banquet at Lake Michigan College's Mendel Center in Benton Harbor.

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Whirlpool's Global Procurement Organization partners with suppliers around the world to obtain high quality, cost-effective materials, components and other products from top-notch suppliers that demonstrate excellence in quality, delivery, productivity and innovation.

"Whirlpool's world-class supply base has certainly contributed to the success we have achieved the last few years in transforming our company into an innovative industry leader that places the customer front and center of our operations globally," said Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool's chairman and CEO. "To achieve the degree of customer loyalty that we are aiming for, Whirlpool depends not only on the dedication of our more than 80,000 employees worldwide, but also on the quality and dependability of our suppliers."

Of the approximately 700 U.S. suppliers Whirlpool worked with in 2005, 17 were recognized for outstanding performance. These suppliers were judged primarily on quality of their goods/services, total cost productivity and material management. A total of 20 supplier awards will be issued at the banquet.

"The suppliers we partner with are vital in helping us to maintain our status as the world's leading home appliance manufacturer," said Steve Rush, Whirlpool's vice president for North American procurement. "Those that we are honoring this year consistently meet our requirements in quality, productivity, engineering, design, availability and, increasingly, innovation."

The companies honored by Whirlpool and the products they supply to the company are:

  * Davlyn Manufacturing Company* (seals, insulators, shims)
  * EMB Corporation* (electrical controls)
  * Jabil Circuit (Huangpu Hub), Inc.* (electronic components)
  * LCR Electronics, Inc.* (electrical components)
  * Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (foam ingredients)
  * American Wire Tech, Inc. (electrical controls & steel components)
  * Brazeway Inc. (aluminum components)
  * Fort Recovery Industries Inc. (zinc and aluminum castings)
  * McGregor & Associates Inc. (electronic components)
  * Molon Motor & Coil Corporation (motors - pumps)
  * Perfection Corporation (steel components)
  * Phillips Plastics Corporation (injection molded plastics)
  * Premier Tool & Die Cast (steel components, zinc & aluminum castings)
  * Regional Die Casting Ltd. (zinc & aluminum castings)
  * Rieter Automotive North America (insulation)
  * Wako Electronics USA Inc. (electrical controls)

Additionally, Jones Plastics will be recognized with an Innovation Award for its efforts to embed innovation-centric processes within its organization. The processes enabled Jones Plastics to bring five new customer-focused innovative ideas to Whirlpool in 2005, addressing both original equipment, and accessory aftermarket potential. Whirlpool has committed two of the ideas to fast track consumer concept testing and is studying a third.

Consecutive-year honorees are American Wire Tech, Davlyn Manufacturing, Jabil Circuit (Huangpu Hub) Inc., LCR Electronics, Regional Die Casting Ltd. and Wako Electronics USA Inc.

* Davlyn Manufacturing Co., EMB Corp., Jabil Circuit and LCR Electronics were honored with distinction.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, more than 80,000 employees, and more than 60 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, 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/ .

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SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation