The Whirlpool Corp. board of directors has appointed Karin Risi, a former Vanguard senior executive with more than 30 years of experience in asset and wealth management, effective immediately. Risi will serve on the Finance and Human Resources committees
If you have spent any time on social media or in hospitality-focused spaces over the last few years, you already know the obsession: nugget ice. Also famously known as “chewable ice” or “Sonic ice,” this softer, porous, pellet-shaped ice has developed a cult following.
Continue readingThe global white-goods industry is facing another challenging period, and Whirlpool is becoming a clear example of the pressures affecting major appliance manufacturers.
Continue readingWhirlpool has postponed its scheduled Q2 earnings call after CEO Marc Bitzer was involved in a bicycle accident. The company says Bitzer is recovering and expects to reschedule the call soon. Investors will now have to wait for updates on the appliance maker’s performance during what has already been a turbulent year for the sector
Beko Europe is repositioning the Whirlpool brand at the top end of the European home appliance market, as the company looks to strengthen its multi-brand strategy following the completion of Whirlpool Corporation’s European business acquisition.
Speaking during a media event at the company’s Cassinetta manufacturing and R&D centre in Italy, Beko Europe outlined how Whirlpool will become its flagship premium brand across Europe, with a greater focus on design, intelligent technology and consumer experience. The move reflects the group’s ambition to create a clearer distinction between its portfolio of brands, with Whirlpool targeting higher-value consumers while other brands serve different market segments.
Central to the strategy is what the company describes as “human-centric technology” – appliances designed to learn from consumers’ daily routines and simplify everyday living. Artificial intelligence, connectivity and energy efficiency will play an increasingly important role across future product launches, while maintaining ease of use rather than adding unnecessary complexity.
The announcement marks another significant step in the integration of Whirlpool into Beko Europe, which officially began after Arçelik completed the acquisition of Whirlpool’s European major domestic appliance business. The combined business now manages an extensive portfolio that includes Whirlpool, Beko, Hotpoint, Indesit, Bauknecht and other regional brands, giving it one of the broadest product ranges in the European appliance market.
For retailers, the repositioning provides a clearer brand hierarchy. Whirlpool will increasingly compete in the premium segment against established high-end manufacturers, while Beko continues to focus on delivering value-led innovation and accessibility across the mass market.
The strategy also reinforces Beko Europe’s commitment to European manufacturing and product development, with investments in research, development and production facilities intended to support future innovation and strengthen the company’s position in a highly competitive market.
Whirlpool announced a restructuring plan to close its Supsa manufacturing facility in Apodaca, Mexico by the second quarter of 2027, shifting production to its Ramos Arizpe plant and other sites in its network
At Milan’s EuroCucina, Beko Europe united its four main brands—Beko, Whirlpool, Hotpoint, and Bauknecht—under a single eco-designed pavilion created by architect Mario Cucinella. The showcase proved that premium design, advanced tech, and sustainability can seamlessly coexist.
Whirlpool: Premium Design & Adaptive AI
Whirlpool focused on sleek aesthetics and smart connectivity:
Matte Black Finish:
New ovens, microwaves, and induction cooktops feature a matte look. Cooktops include MatteProtect, making the glass three times more scratch-resistant.
High Performance: New ovens introduce an Airfryer function and Cook4 technology, which cooks four dishes simultaneously to save up to 72% of cooking time.
Smart Tech:Driven by the HomeWhiz app, AI AdaptiveCool manages fridge compressors in real-time to slash energy use by up to 20%, while washing machines optimize cycles based on user habits.
Beko: Sustainability & Modularity
Beko emphasized long-term reliability (appliances tested for a 10-year lifespan) and resource management:
Resource Tracking: The HomeWhiz Energy & Water Management platform lets users monitor precise consumption. Meanwhile, PowerIntense dishwashers use SensorAdapt AI to cut time and energy use by up to 50%.
Modular Refrigerator: Beko debuted a prototype fridge made of independent, stackable cooling blocks designed to fit into any living space, adapting as household needs change.
> **Market Leader:** Backed by Koç Holding, Beko is now Europe’s leading appliance manufacturer, boasting an €11 billion turnover driven by sustainable innovation.
Whirlpool Layoffs in Iowa Deepen as Demand Slumps to 2008 LevelsWhirlpool’s manufacturing footprint in the US is under renewed scrutiny after the company confirmed another 288 layoffs at its Middle Amana, Iowa refrigerator plant — pushing total job losses at the site to 879 since mid‑2025.The latest cuts, filed under Iowa’s WARN system and effective 5 July, extend a turbulent period for one of the region’s largest employers. The Amana facility, which once supported around 3,000 workers and produces refrigerators for the Whirlpool, Amana, Maytag and KitchenAid brands, has long been a pillar of the local economy.Local Pressure Mounts as Reductions AccelerateThe scale of the job losses has triggered concern among Iowa officials and labour representatives.
US Representative Mariannette Miller‑Meeks recently warned CEO Marc Bitzer that continued reductions could weaken a manufacturing base built over generations.Whirlpool maintains that the cuts reflect historic demand weakness, not a retreat from US production. Bitzer highlighted more than $150 million invested in the Amana site in recent years and reiterated that 80% of Whirlpool appliances sold in the US are made in US plants — a larger domestic footprint than many competitors.Union Disputes Company’s ExplanationThe International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers continues to challenge Whirlpool’s rationale, arguing that the company is shifting production to Mexico.Union leaders point to Whirlpool’s recent investments in Ramos Arizpe and Celaya, and claim that Mexico has become the sole production base for the company’s French Door refrigerator line. Whirlpool rejects this, insisting the Amana layoffs stem from a multi‑year modernisation programme, not offshoring.The company says Amana will continue producing bottom‑mount and French door refrigerators, with further investment planned to upgrade product capability.Industry Backdrop: Demand Hits Crisis‑Era LowsThe dispute comes as the North American appliance market faces its toughest conditions since the 2008 financial crisis.
During Whirlpool’s May earnings call, Bitzer said demand for major appliances — particularly big‑ticket categories like refrigerators and dishwashers — has fallen to its weakest point in nearly two decades.Investors have felt the strain. Whirlpool’s share price, which peaked at $110.59 in July 2025, was trading near $40 at the end of last week.With neither Whirlpool nor the union offering further comment, uncertainty remains over whether the Amana plant has reached the bottom — or whether more restructuring lies ahead.
Whirlpool is expanding its cooking portfolio with the launch of MattProtect, a new induction hob surface engineered for enhanced durability and easier day‑to‑day maintenance. The brand positions this finish as a step-change in surface resistance, aimed at consumers who want premium aesthetics without compromising robustness.
Matte Finish Built to Last
The MattProtect surface delivers three times more resistance to halos, scratches and impacts compared with standard vitroceramic glass. It also reduces visible marks, helping users keep the hob looking clean with less effort — a key selling point in a category where maintenance and appearance strongly influence purchase decisions.
FlexiCook and 6th Sense: Whirlpool’s Signature Technologies
The new model integrates FlexiCook, Whirlpool’s adaptive cooking system that automatically detects pan position and adjusts the active zone and power level accordingly.
It also includes 6th Sense assisted functions such as Keep Warm and Melt, which automatically regulate power for precise, low‑temperature tasks.
