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WHR Pumps Up Manufacturing Day

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As a major icon on the worldwide manufacturing front, Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corporation isn't settling for a single day of celebration this year for National Manufacturing Day this week. Instead, they are marking the occasion with a month-long series of events to highlight the importance of American manufacturing. The company is providing an inside look at the compilation of innovative processes that go into building one of its home appliances.

Jim Keppler is Vice President of Supply Chain & Quality at Whirlpool. He tells us, "The reality is that today's manufacturing industry has become more dynamic not only for those involved in the building of products, but also through the distribution methods used to bring products efficiently from plants to homes."  He adds, "We're using Manufacturing Month this year to highlight how we're leveraging our supply chain and operationalizing our plants to deliver the right benefits not only for our company, employees and the consumer, but also the environment."

As the world's largest appliance manufacturer, Whirlpool continues to transform its approach to supply chain innovation. This approach — which includes embracing wind power, advanced engineering and robotics and an investment in American jobs — is setting a new precedent for operational excellence.

In step with the theme of this year's Manufacturing Month, Whirlpool Corporation is working to change the perception of manufacturing in America by providing an inside look at its manufacturing process — showing step-by-step how a 14,000 pound roll of steel is transformed into a world class premium cooking product through the use of robotics, connected technology and skilled manufacturing workers.

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In the face of a widening skills gap, Whirlpool has been a champion of investing in its skilled workforce to ensure manufacturing jobs can remain in America. The company offers on-site apprenticeship programs at multiple manufacturing locations to develop the skills required to support the implementation of factory automation and other disruptive technologies. 

Keppler says, "The approximately 15,000 manufacturing employees across our nine U.S. facilities are a shining example of the importance of manufacturing to our national economy and why Whirlpool Corporation considers investment in our manufacturing operations a strategic priority."

Working towards a more sustainable supply chain has been a key element in Whirlpool's vision for re-shaping manufacturing. The company has invested more than $30-million over the last two years in wind farms that will power various Ohio manufacturing plants, and recently affirmed its zero waste to landfill goal in every manufacturing facility across the globe by 2022. 

Here's the link where you can watch the brief Manufacturing Day video taking rolled steel through the process of becoming a world class cooking appliance:

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