Whirlpool Corporation Recognized as Top-10 Company for Leaders
PR Newswire
BENTON HARBOR, Mich.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) has been named to the 2011 list of Top Companies for Leaders, ranking ninth globally, sixth in North America, and for the first time, Asia Pacific is being recognized with a ninth place ranking. The Global Top Companies for Leaders is the most comprehensive study of organizational leadership in the world.

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The biennial study is conducted by Aon Hewitt, the global human resource consulting and outsourcing business of Aon Corporation, in partnership with The RBL Group, a strategic Human Resources and leadership advisory firm, and FORTUNE Magazine. Winners were selected and ranked by an expert panel of independent judges based on criteria including strength of leadership practices and culture, examples of leader development on a global scale, alignment of business and leadership strategy, business performance and company reputation. Whirlpool Corporation ranked ninth for North America and 15th globally in 2009, the last time the survey was conducted. The company has been listed among the Global Top 20 companies since the study's inception.

"At Whirlpool Corporation, leadership is a catalyst for positive change," said Jeff M. Fettig, chairman of the board and chief executive officer for Whirlpool Corporation. "For 100 years, achieving great things with character and integrity has made Whirlpool Corporation who it is today. We know that to deliver on our strategy of becoming the leading global consumer products company, we must continuously improve on strong talent development systems, provide unmatched career opportunities and fully leverage the skills, expertise and passion of our people."

When comparing the Global Top Companies for Leaders with more than 470 other companies around the world, Aon Hewitt identified distinguishing characteristics that set them apart from their peers. Top companies make investing in leadership a strategic imperative, measure the effectiveness of their leadership development programs and have strong executive team involvement in developing the company's next generation of leaders. At Whirlpool, the company's commitment to strong leadership and developing talent remains constant regardless of changes in the global economic environment.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $18 billion in 2010, 71,000 employees, and 66 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 www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

About Whirlpool Corporation's 100th Anniversary

Founded on November 11, 1911, Whirlpool Corporation's time- and labor-saving appliance innovations have influenced home and family life during the last century.  Driven by the belief that everyone needs a comfortable place to call home, Whirlpool Corporation is focused on improving lives one family, one home at a time.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation