Whirlpool Corporation , the world's leading home appliance manufacturer, has been recognized as a 2009 American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) BEST Award winner. The BEST Awards recognize organizational commitment to employee learning.

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Whirlpool Corporation was recognized for aligning its learning and development programs with its overall strategy and performance goals. The company launched a team-based leadership development program that focused on solving key business issues with clear short-term and long-term goals and objectives. The first program was delivered in 2007, and continued throughout 2008 and 2009.

"Whirlpool is honored to receive this recognition," said Nancy Tennant, corporate vice president, Leadership and Strategic Competencies. "We set up the best framework possible for employee learning and development, and we have created a culture of learning that unleashes employee innovation and passion. As a result, we are building the right capabilities around the world."

"The ASTD BEST Award winners set the standard of excellence for exceptional learning practices and demonstrate that a skilled workforce is vital to achieving results," said Tony Bingham, president and CEO, ASTD. "They use learning as a strategic tool and have the support of senior leaders who champion a learning culture."

More information about the 2009 ASTD BEST Award winners may be found in the October 2009 issue of T+D magazine and online at www.astd.org/best.

About ASTD

ASTD is the world's largest association dedicated to the training and development field. ASTD's members come from more than 100 countries and connect locally in 130 U.S. chapters and with 30 International Partners. For more information, visit www.astd.org.

About Whirlpool Corporation

In addition to being recognized as "One of the Top Companies for Leaders," Whirlpool also was recently named one of FORTUNE's "Most Admired Companies," one of the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" by Chief Responsibility Officer magazine, one of the 500 greenest big companies in America by Newsweek magazine and one of the "Top 50 Most Respected U.S. Companies" by the Reputation Institute. Whirlpool Corporation also is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability, FTSE4Good and the KLD Domini 400 Social and Global Sustainability Indexes.

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2008, approximately 70,000 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/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: angela_m_hersil@whirlpool.com

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SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation