Whirlpool Corporation today announced Sanwal Sarraf will join the company as vice president, Corporate Innovation and Technology (CIT), effective Oct. 23, 2006. He will succeed Hank Marcy, who previously was named vice president, Global Product Development, Food Stream Solutions.

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Sarraf will be responsible for leading the CIT organization and developing advanced product concepts that will create unique solutions for the company's global customers. He also will manage corporate electronics development and drive advanced electronics architectures and applications.

"We're extremely pleased Sanwal is joining our team," said Mike Thieneman, executive vice president and chief technology officer. "He not only brings with him a strong innovation background, but also the knowledge and leadership skills to drive customer loyalty and business results. This role is critical to our effort to drive innovation and provide our customers with compelling new products and services."

Sarraf joins Whirlpool from Brady Corporation in Milwaukee, Wis., where he served as corporate vice president, Research and Development, and managed global research and development operations in Europe, Asia, and North America.

While at Brady he led initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and increase the pace of product development. Prior to that, Sarraf was corporate vice president and general manager of components for JDS Uniphase, the world's leading provider of broadband test and measurement solutions. He also previously served several years as general manager of Eastman Kodak's Digital Graphics Business.

Sarraf received a bachelor's degree in engineering from Bhagalpur University in India. He also holds a master's degree in mechanical and aerospace science, as well as a Ph.D. in laser energetics from the University of Rochester, New York.

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/ .

FCMN Contact: Monica.Teague@Whirlpool.com

SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation