Whirlpool Corporation today announced the selection of Gray Construction, of Lexington, Ky., to build its new production facility in Cleveland, Tenn.

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The project includes a one million square foot, LEED-certified manufacturing facility to produce built-in, premium cooking products, as well as a 400,000 square foot distribution center. Whirlpool will invest $120 million in the new facility, which will add approximately 130 new jobs. The new plant will replace an existing 100-year old facility also located in Cleveland, Tenn. Construction is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010.

"The products made by Whirlpool Corporation are all about quality and excellence, and the Gray team is enormously honored and excited to be working with this leading global appliance maker and to be selected for this flagship project," said Stephen Gray, president and chief operating officer for Gray Construction.

"Gray Construction offered a strong resume specifically related to the construction of manufacturing facilities," said Lee Utke, MCR, director of global corporate real estate for Whirlpool Corporation. "They also brought to the table a very seasoned and professional project team that clearly understood our key delivery metrics, and were prepared and positioned to meet a very aggressive delivery schedule."

Whirlpool Corporation has a strong commitment to investing in its US-based manufacturing footprint. Recent announcements by the company include: Plans to build a new $85 million office campus in its headquarters location of Benton Harbor, Mich.; acquisition of the former WC Wood facility in Ottawa, Ohio; a $175 million investment in the company's manufacturing facilities in Ohio, which will produce advanced, high efficiency laundry products; a $20 million investment in its Amana, Iowa refrigeration plant; and the announcement of a new $40 million, one million square foot, LEED certified regional distribution center in Wilmer, Texas.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 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/.

About Gray Construction

In addition to being ranked 9th nationally for manufacturing plant construction, Gray Construction has designed and built close to 460 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. totaling more than 53 million square feet. Gray is a nationally ranked engineering and construction firm with offices throughout the United States. Gray provides customers with programming, planning, site selection, engineering, design and construction and equipment installation services. Gray's experience includes projects for the automotive, distribution, food and beverage and manufacturing markets. For more information visit www.gray.com.

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SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation