What truly distinguishes Whirlpool Corporation is our Unique Sense of Responsibility. We have built a culture of responsibility that is good for the business, the environment and society overall.
“1969 saw continuation of determined efforts on the part of Whirlpool and its subsidiaries to make meaningful contributions to the improvement of the social climate in the communities where our facilities are located. We have long held that no business can separate itself from the affairs and problems of the society of which it is a part and hope to grow and prosper.”
— Excerpt taken from the 1969 Letter to Shareholders
signed by Elisha Gray II, Former Chairman, and Jack H. Platts, Former President
Throughout our 100-year history, Whirlpool Corporation has operated within the core principle that there is no right way to do a wrong thing. We believe that financial success is only sustainable when we remain true to our fundamental values. Through social engagement, local community involvement and programs that protect the environment, Whirlpool Corporation is demonstrating our long-standing commitment to the communities where we work and live.
Environmental Responsibility. Decades before sustainability was trendy, Whirlpool Corporation strove for higher appliance efficiency standards, lower greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller carbon footprint. And we challenged other companies to join us. By embracing our responsibility for creating a better environment, we’ve proudly become the industry leader. Today we offer families innovative products with recyclable parts and lower water and energy usage. As part of our four-year, $1 billion U.S. investment, our newest facilities are or will be LEED-certified. Similarly, our plants throughout the world continue to find ways to reduce waste, recycle responsibly and run cleaner.
Social Engagement. Throughout our history, Whirlpool Corporation has built strategic partnerships that allowed us to dare to dream that we could build a better society for all. During our 2011 Anniversary Year, we will expand our commitment to Habitat for Humanity International to provide funding, volunteerism or appliances to help Habitat families in every region around the world. We are proud of the results realized through the power of this type of partnership and teamwork.
Community Spirit. As part of our culture, the people of Whirlpool Corporation help improve lives by investing volunteer hours, financial resources and expertise in their neighborhoods. Our mission is to create lasting value and demonstrate our active sense of community spirit. In 2010, Consul brand’s Instituto Consulado da Mulher® participated in the sixth annual Clinton Global Initiative. Consulado presented its methodologies and performance results to public, private and non-governmental leaders from around the world, demonstrating the extraordinary transformation they have helped to achieve locally by empowering low-income women to develop entrepreneurial skills.
There is an innate personal connection between Whirlpool Corporation and the communities in which we operate. As we begin our next century of opportunity, our people will continue to live by the values that have guided our actions by focusing on one home, one family at a time.