BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation has been honored with a 2015 SmartWay® Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an industry leader in supply-chain environmental performance and energy efficiency.

Each year, the SmartWay® Excellence Awards program recognizes approximately one percent of the more than 3,000 of the top EPA freight supply-chain partners. This year, Whirlpool Corporation is one of 11 companies to receive the distinction. The company was recognized in the large shipper category, which represents companies that move goods more than 500 million miles annually.   

Award winners are regarded by the EPA as demonstrating environmental leadership through effective collaboration; advanced technology and operational practices; robust SmartWay data validation and reporting; communication and public outreach; and, implementation of sustainability practices in local communities.

"We are very proud to receive this prestigious award from the EPA," said Jim Keppler, vice president of Whirlpool's integrated supply chain and quality organization. "It acknowledges our commitment to the environment and our efforts to ship our products as environmentally efficient as possible."

Launched in 2004, SmartWay® is an EPA program that aims to accelerate advanced fuel efficient technologies and operational practices in the freight supply chain, while helping partners save fuel, lower costs and reduce negative environmental impacts.

"EPA is pleased to honor these SmartWay Partners with a 2015 Excellence Award," said Chris Grundler, director, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality. "Through their environmental leadership in greener goods movement, each of these companies is demonstrating its commitment to our shared goal of a healthier, more sustainable future for the communities and families we serve."

The 2015 SmartWay Excellence Awards were presented on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the National Vehicle & Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL), in Ann Arbor, Mich.  Jim Thompson, senior manager, of transportation for Whirlpool Corp. accepted the award. "Environmental responsibility has always been important to Whirlpool Corporation," Thompson said. "We are committed to doing our part as a logistics organization to continue our leadership in this important space."

Whirlpool requires contracted carriers to be SmartWay certified. Currently, 99.86 percent of North American shipments are moved with SmartWay carriers. In 2014 Whirlpool saved 1.5 million gallons of diesel fuel by working with high-efficient carriers, which equated to 15,590 metric tons of CO2 emissions reductions.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world, with approximately $20 billion in annual sales, 100,000 employees and 70 manufacturing and technology research centers throughout the world in 2014. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Consul, Maytag, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air, Indesit and other major brand names in more than 170 countries. Additional information about the company can be found at on Twitter at @WhirlpoolCorp.

About SmartWay®

EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership is a market-driven initiative that empowers businesses to move goods in the cleanest, most energy-efficient way possible, while protecting public health and reducing the impacts of climate change. Demonstration of a commitment to corporate sustainability and social responsibility through SmartWay provides for a more competitive and environmentally-friendly business environment. Since 2004, SmartWay Partners have saved 144.3 million barrels of oil and $20.6 billion in fuel costs. SmartWay's clean air achievements (61.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 1,070,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 43,000 tons of particulate matter emissions avoided) help to protect the well-being of citizens.

More information on SmartWay in general:  http://www.epa.gov/smartway/  
List of Excellence Award recipients:  http://epa.gov/smartway/about/sw-awards.htm#aboutawards

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20040202/DETU004LOGO

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation