Whirlpool Corporation Cleans Up in Laundry

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation's (NYSE: WHR) 100-year-old legacy of laundry is commanding the spotlight with 11 of its latest top- and front-loading models topping ratings released by a leading consumer magazine. The Whirlpool® Duet® and Vantage™ washers were rated No. 1 in the front and top-loading categories respectively, with the Maytag® Maxima™ nabbing the No. 2 spot in front-load.

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For the last century the company has introduced multiple innovations that make the chore of doing laundry simpler, more efficient and more affordable. As the U.S. leader in laundry appliances, the company's flagship Whirlpool brand continues to demonstrate how 99 years of history inspire innovation.

"As we look ahead to Whirlpool Corporation's next 100 years, the company's meaningful innovation and commitment to efficiency are driving this type of recognition from the industry, as well as significant gains across our laundry market share," said Marc Bitzer, president, Whirlpool North America. "A pledge to listen to our consumers' needs and respond with appliances that address these today is evidenced by this recognition."

Whirlpool brand recently unveiled the industry's most resource efficient laundry pair(1) - the new premium front-load Duet® washer (WFW94HEX) and dryer. Features and benefits driven by exclusive 6th Sense™ technology including Precision Dispense detergent dosing and a CEE Tier 3(2) rating contributed to the washer's recognition as the No. 1 rated front-load washing machine by a leading consumer magazine. Additionally, the company holds the No. 2 spot for top-rated front-load washing machines as rated by the same publication with the Maytag® Maxima™ (MHW6000X) washer. Its PowerWash™ System takes out tough stains and provides better overall cleaning performance while using less detergent.

Top-load lovers should not despair. Collectively the Whirlpool Corporation portfolio, under the Whirlpool and Maytag brands, garnered the top nine ratings for top-load washers in the industry. In the same rankings, Whirlpool brand's Vantage washer (WTW7990X) was named the No. 1 top-load washing machine, followed by several models under the Whirlpool® Cabrio® washer (WTW5700X, WTW5600X, WTW6800, WTW6300) and Maytag® Bravos™ washer (MVWB300, MVWB750, MVWB450, MVWB850) lines. The Vantage™ washer and dryer offers an intuitive LCD touch screen interface and the industry's first USB port, which will give consumers access to future upgrades and evolved laundry cycles.  

No other manufacturer offers more high-efficiency (HE) and ENERGY STAR® qualified washers than Whirlpool Corporation. In fact, across its portfolio, the company offers high-efficiency washers at various price points in both top- and front-load configurations.

HE Front-Load Washers recently recognized include:

• The new premium front-load Whirlpool® Duet® washer and dryer are available in white, lunar silver and cranberry at national retailers with an MSRP starting at $1,099 each.
• The Maytag®* Maxima™ washer and dryer are available  in white, granite and crimson at national retailers with an MSRP starting at $1,099 each.
• The Whirlpool® front-load washer (WFW9050X) was named a best buy by a leading consumer magazine.
• The Maytag® 2000 Series (MHWE200X) received a best buy rating by a leading consumer magazine.

HE Top-Load Washers recently recognized include:

• The Whirlpool® Vantage™ washer and dryer pair is available in cosmetallic at retailers nationwide with an MSRP starting at $1,999 each.
• Whirlpool® Cabrio® washers and dryers are available at national retailers with an MSRP starting at $599 for the washer and $599 for the dryer.
• Maytag®* Bravos™ washers and dryers are available nationwide with an MSRP starting at $699 for the washer and $699 for the dryer.

*Maytag brand washers come with a 10-year limited parts warranty on the washer motor and stainless steel wash basket.

About Whirlpool Brand

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. Whirlpool brand recognizes that consumers lead busy, active lives and continues to create solutions that help consumers optimize productivity and efficiency in the home. In addition to designing appliance solutions based on consumer insight, Whirlpool brand is dedicated to creating ENERGY STAR^® qualified appliances like the new Duet^® washer which uses 82 percent less water and 86 percent less energy than a traditional top load washer manufactured before 2004. Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity's largest corporate partners, donating a refrigerator and range to every new Habitat for Humanity home built in North America. For more information on Whirlpool brand please visit www.whirlpool.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whirlpool. Additional information about the company can be found at www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

About Maytag Brand

For more than a century, Maytag brand appliances have been synonymous with dependability and durability. Through the commitment of Whirlpool Corporation, Maytag brand's enduring tradition of quality production and performance continues to thrive. Exceptionally durable, commercial-grade components are found in many Maytag brand appliances – including Maytag^® Performance Series front-load and Maytag^® Centennial^® top-load washers and dryers. Maytag brand is part of the Whirlpool Corporation, 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. For more information on any Maytag brand appliance, visit http://www.maytag.com.

About Whirlpool Corporation's 100th Anniversary

Founded on November 11, 1911, Whirlpool Corporation has influenced home and family life during the last century.  The company is driven by the belief that everyone needs a comfortable place to call home and has a 100 year history of creating better ways of cooking, cleaning, refrigerating and storing.  Whirlpool Corporation is focused on improving lives one person, one family, one home, one community at a time.

(1)  Among leading brands, based on equal weighting of energy and water usage, electric dryers only.

(2)  The CEE tier system is based on the Consortium for Energy Efficiency qualified product listings.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation