Whirlpool Corporation
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In past months, the Whirlpool brand Duet Steam Washer won three other awards: "The Good Design Award," "The Spark Award" and "The Appliance Magazine Award." The Whirlpool brand Duet Steam Washer won "The IDEA Silver Award" for its fresh new look and next-generation cleaning technology in the Home Living category.
"The IDEA competition has been bringing well-deserved global attention to design since 1980. Among the world's premier design competitions, the IDEA winners represent the very best of the best," said IDSA Executive Director Frank Tyneski.
Charles L. Jones, vice president, Global Consumer Design, Whirlpool Corporation, added: "Whirlpool Corporation is delighted and honored to have won "The IDEA Silver Award" and to have received such important recognition for the design of the Whirlpool Duet Steam Washer. The success of the award-winning Whirlpool Duet Washer, launched in 2001 and a winner of "The IDEA Gold Award" and "The BusinessWeek Catalyst Award," paved the way for this next-generation Duet Steam Washer. Its redefined design has allowed Whirlpool Corporation to capture iconic features, such as the circular door and materials like aluminum, to maintain an authenticity of design that consumers want. This fourth accolade offers further confirmation of Whirlpool Corporation's design leadership, based on a commitment to design and a firm belief that consumers increasingly seek out great design for their homes."
Pam Rogers, Fabric Care Director, Whirlpool Corporation, added: "The Whirlpool Duet Steam Washer was built to satisfy consumers' desire for clean aesthetics with a strong focus on usability and enabling advanced technology features. Its unique selling point is its steam technology, which research showed to be the biggest attraction for consumers as it helps to deliver effective stain removal and improved cleaning performance."
The Whirlpool Duet Steam Washer is complemented by the Whirlpool Duet Steam Dryer, the industry's first steam dryer to offer the benefits of wrinkle release and odor removal where consumers expect and want it -- in the dryer. The Whirlpool Duet Steam Dryer was intentionally designed to visually complement Whirlpool Duet Steam Washer and, together, the two products form a complete fabric care system.
About IDEA, Industrial Designers & IDSA
The IDEA program fosters business and public understanding about the impact of industrial design excellence on the quality of life and the economy.
Industrial designers determine the form, use features and interaction qualities of manufactured products, packaging and digital media systems. They study people at work, at home and in motion to create satisfying experiences with products from the kitchen and the office to the hospital and the warehouse, shaping these to fit their customers and to make effective use of industrial processes. In this way, industrial designers have a quiet but profound presence in almost everything people encounter during the day.
IDSA is the voice of industrial design, committed to advancing the profession through education, information, community and advocacy.
Stay tuned to www.idsa.org/idea for information about the 2009 IDEA program. IDEA® is co-sponsored by BusinessWeek and IDSA.
About Whirlpool Corporation
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/ .
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: angela_m_hersil@whirlpool.com
SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation
CONTACT: Jody Lau of Whirlpool Corporation, +1-269-923-7405,