When the innovators and engineers at the various high-tech Whirlpool Corporation labs engaged in research and development around the Benton Harbor region for the company work their magic. One key on the mind of everyone is the environment. Whirlpool's relentless efforts targeting sustainable practices do not go unnoticed either. In fact, the appliance giant has been tabbed in the Top 20 on Newsweek's 2016 Green Rankings list — one of the most reputable corporate rankings in the nation.
This month, Whirlpool Corporation was named No. 16 on Newsweek's 2016 Green Rankings list, assessing environmental efforts of the 500 largest publicly-traded companies in the United States based on corporate sustainability and environmental impact.
Ron Voglewede is Director of Global Sustainability for the Benton Harbor-based firm. He says, "This latest recognition speaks to Whirlpool Corporation's leadership in corporate sustainability — responsibility has always been a core commitment embedded throughout our operations from sustainable manufacturing and supply chain to high performing, lower impact consumer products." He adds, "We are proud to pioneer high performing, lower impact technologies and help our consumers reduce their own environmental footprint."
Whirlpool Corporation's commitment to corporate sustainability begins with manufacturing and supply chain. Recently, the company reaffirmed its zero waste to landfill goal in every manufacturing facility across the globe by 2022. Additionally, in the last year, Whirlpool Corporation has announced three major on-site wind farm projects totaling $31.5 million that will help power various manufacturing plants across Ohio.
On the consumer appliance side, Whirlpool Corporation has received 38 ENERGY STAR Awards since 1998 — more than any other appliance manufacturer in the U.S. and Canada. Washers built today use 74-percent less energy and 43-percent less water than those built in 1992, while their capacity has increased by 42-percent. Additionally, Whirlpool brand's HybridCare dryer merges both heat pump and ventless technologies to solve key challenges when it comes to dryers – energy usage, gentle care for specialty clothing, installation and placement flexibility and eliminating outdoor venting. With the Eco Dry setting, the dryer uses up to 73-percent less energy.
Elijah Wolfson is Senior Editor for Newsweek. He tells us, "In the current global business and political climate, no company can continue to ignore its environmental footprint and there's good news: Newsweek's 2016 Green Rankings show that the world's biggest companies are improving when it comes to energy productivity and in limiting greenhouse gas emissions." He adds, "Our hope is that the rankings will propel leaders to start looking at their environmental impact not just in terms of carbon use, but comprehensively, and make the changes necessary to sustain both business growth and environmental viability."
Whirlpool Corporation is the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world, with approximately $21 billion in annual sales, 97,000 employees and 70 manufacturing and technology research centers in 2015. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air, Indesit and other major brand names in nearly every country throughout the world. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or follow on Twitter at @WhirlpoolCorp.
