

Whirlpool Corp.’s headquarters in Benton Harbor, Mich. Photo: iStock/JHVEPhoto
Whirlpool said that revenue dropped nearly 10% in its most recent quarter, and sales of major appliances in North America tumbled 7%, with Americans delaying big-ticket purchases because of economic concerns, report the Guardian.
Whirlpool said that the Iran war led to a “recession-level industry decline” in America as consumer confidence collapsed in late February and March. It also announced a 10% price hike in April, its largest in a decade, and a separate 4% price increase in July to address “multiyear inflationary cost pressures.”
“This level of industry decline is similar to what we have observed during the global financial crisis and even higher than during other recessionary periods,” said Marc Bitzer, the CEO, on May 7 during a conference call.
While the company known for brands such as KitchenAid, Maytag and its namesake appeared to exactly the type of manufacturer to thrive under an increasingly isolationist Donald Trump regime, because it produces about 80% of its major appliances at American factories, the company is experiencing inflation and lower demand at home brought on in part by exactly those policies.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED VIDEOS
Timely, incisive articles delivered directly to your inbox.


