Whirlpool Corporation Chills Competition in the Kitchen

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation's (NYSE: WHR) 100-year-old legacy of innovation has led to several top ratings in a leading consumer magazine in the refrigeration, cooking and dishwasher categories for Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid and Jenn-Air brands. The company scored No. 1 ratings in the French door bottom mount, conventional bottom freezer, built-in refrigerator, 30-inch and 36-inch dual fuel range categories.

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Over the last century the company has introduced multiple innovations that make storing, prepping, cooking and cleaning simpler, more efficient and more affordable. As the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, the company and its portfolio of brands continue to demonstrate how 99 years of history inspire innovation.

"As we celebrate Whirlpool Corporation's 100th anniversary, we continue to look ahead to the next 100 years of meaningful innovation and commitment to efficiency," said Marc Bitzer, president, Whirlpool North America. "Our ongoing dedication to listening to consumers' needs and designing appliance solutions that address these needs is driving this type of recognition from the industry."

In all, 150 refrigerators were tested, leading to top ratings for the Whirlpool, Amana and Jenn-Air brands.

• The Whirlpool® French door bottom mount refrigerator (GX5FHTXV) was rated No. 1 (and a best buy) in its respective category.
• In the conventional bottom freezer category, Whirlpool Corporation dominated the ratings with the top three of four ratings going to Whirlpool brand (GB2FHDXW – No. 1) and Amana brand (ABB2221WE – No. 2, ABB1921WE – No. 4) for  combining superior temperature performance with energy efficiency.
• The Jenn-Air® side-by-side built-in refrigerator (JS42PPDUDB) was rated No.1 based on excellent performance and efficiency.
• The Whirlpool® side-by-side refrigerator (GS5VHAXW) was rated No. 2 in the side-by-side category with a nod to the refrigerator's excellent temperature performance and efficiency.

Additionally, Whirlpool Corporation's brands received high marks in the cleaning category. Dishwasher testing resulted in solid ratings for KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Maytag and Jenn-Air brands, with two Whirlpool brand models (GU2300XTV) and (DU1055XTV) recommended as best buys.

• KitchenAid brand dishwasher (KUDE7OCV) was rated No. 2 in the conventional dishwasher category.
• When it comes to dish drawers, Whirlpool Corporation cleaned up with KitchenAid (KUDD03DT), Maytag (MDD8000AW) and Jenn-Air (JDD4000AW) brands capturing the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 spots respectively.

Whirlpool Corporation brands were also recognized in the cooking category for excellent ranges and microwave oven performance.

• KitchenAid brand ranges were No. 1 in both the 30-inch dual fuel and 36-inch dual fuel categories with KitchenAid (KDR5505X) and KitchenAid (KDRU763VS5) respectively.
• Whirlpool brand received best buy ratings with the 30-inch electric smoothtop (G7CE3034X) category and 30-inch induction cooktop (GCI3061X), as well as the over-the-range microwave in the 30-inch (WMH1163XV) category, offering the best performance at the price point.

Whirlpool Corporation makes more appliances in the United States than any other appliance manufacturer with approximately 17,000 employees working in manufacturing positions in the United States.  

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 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.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation