Commitment to Our Global Platform
BEST COST, QUALITY AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Whirlpool Corporation has built a nimble organization that can identify next-generation process technologies and implement them around the world, ensuring common ways of manufacturing our products in every one of our factories.
In our second century of opportunity, we will continue setting the standard of bringing consumer-relevant, high-quality products to the marketplace. And we have transformed our organization to be more flexible within the ever-changing economic environment. This is our foundation of success.
At Whirlpool Corporation, when we design a new, global product platform, we can quickly launch it in every one of our factories in the same way, using the best of our existing assets and optimizing our manufacturing capital. A refrigerator, for example, is made with exactly the same manufacturing sequence in North America, Europe, South America or Asia.
In 2011, the company began to standardize the front-load 24-inch washer platform across Europe, Asia and Brazil. This is a product that is steadily popular in those markets, and with consistent parts and manufacturing processes, we are efficiently delivering innovative laundry solutions to consumers in diverse markets.
The products we produce are sold in nearly every country around the world, which is why we recognize the importance of having regional flexibility to customize products to meet the needs of our local consumers and their lifestyles. We also have the agility to efficiently move inventory through our network and into homes. A North America Supply Chain initiative in 2011 realized $10 million in savings during its first six months of implementation through changes that include more efficient warehouse product staging and combined transportation runs.
As we think about our second century and what it will take to succeed, we will never lose sight of our commitment to deliver highly sought-after solutions that delight our consumers. By producing in the regions where we market our appliances, we provide flexibility and a real knowledge of our consumers. That has been our standard of success for more than 100 years, and it is our challenge and opportunity for the next century.
