Whirlpool Corp. has announced it is letting go of an estimated 650 workers from its manufacturing facility in Amana, Iowa, effective June 1.
Responding to media, Whirlpool Corp. executives blamed the layoffs on reduced consumer demand, primarily refrigeration units.
“Whirlpool Corporation has made necessary adjustments to production at its Amana operations to align with current market conditions driven by consumer demand. This has resulted in the announcement of a workforce reduction of approximately 650 employees within specific production teams at the facility. We are committed to supporting affected employees through this transition by providing access to onsite HR support and a dedicated employee support line, an employee assistance program, and guidance on unemployment benefits through Iowa Workforce Development.”
The layoff will affect nearly one-third of the company’s workforce of 2,000 employees in Amana. In February, Whirlpool Corporation confirmed job cuts in their HR, Finance, Procurement, and IT groups in Benton Harbor.
The Amana operation is reportedly Whirlpool Corporation’s only unionized manufacturing facility in the United States.
In their most recent earnings statement in late January, CEO Marc Bitzer said the company continues to make progress in their operations and delivered on their 2024 cost take out commitment of $300 million.
“In 2025, we expect to deliver more than $200 million of cost take out and position our business for the eventual U.S. housing recovery,” said Bitzer.
