|
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., April 17, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR) announced that Michael A. Todman,
president, Whirlpool North America and Charles L. Jones, vice
president of Global Consumer Design will speak at the @issue
Business and Design Conference in New York, N.Y., at 10:45 a.m. on
Tuesday, April 29, 2008.
| |
 |
|
Whirlpool Corporation logo. (PRNewsFoto/WHIRLPOOL
CORPORATION) BENTON HARBOR, MI UNITED STATES
05/24/2006 |
|
At Whirlpool Corporation, design is intrinsically tied
to the success of the company. Design helps ensure that the
company's innovative products appeal to and meet consumers' changing
needs and help to drive sales. Product design is a critical factor
in Whirlpool Corporation's approach to differentiating its products
in the marketplace.
"At Whirlpool Corporation, we believe that great design is based on
a deep and clear understanding of consumer needs and the ability to
deliver a great consumer experience," said Todman. "Our commitment
to design is based on a solid understanding of the value of design
to business performance."
Todman and Jones will share insights into how Whirlpool connects
design to its business strategy and how the company's shift in its
approach to design has positively impacted the company's growth.
They also will explain how Whirlpool uses design to create a visual
"language" that differentiates each of its global brands.
Since 1999, Whirlpool Corporation's Global Consumer Design
department has successfully demonstrated the positive impact design
can have on the company's business performance. This success has led
to the company's increased commitment to design, which is based on a
clear understanding by upper management of the impact design can
have in driving revenue.
Whirlpool Corporation was recently recognized for its product
designs by several third-party organizations including:
-- Spark Award for the Whirlpool brand Duet laundry pair with steam
technology. The laundry pair reflects Whirlpool Corporation's new
visual brand language that was created to leverage the brand to
create
brand-appropriate user experiences.
-- The "water drop" shape of the Duet door and control area were
developed as a visual metaphor for clean and fresh. The bowed
surfaces were used to create slightly feminine qualities that
appeared to cradle the clothes inside.
-- Appliance Design magazine awarded Whirlpool Corporation Gold for
its
KitchenAid brand Architect Series II built-in double oven, Silver
for
its Whirlpool brand Duet steam washer and Bronze for its KitchenAid
brand Architect Series II built-in refrigerator and Maytag brand
EpicZ
washer in arctic blue.
-- With clean lines and chiseled surface details, the KitchenAid
brand
Architect Series II built-in oven and refrigerator offer a strong
visual expression of KitchenAid brand's commitment to outstanding
craftsmanship.
-- The EpicZ washer's robust lines and heavy-duty components
emphasize
Maytag brand's commitment to building the longest-lasting washers
on the market. The arctic blue color compliments the latest
interior design trends and increasing consumer interest in designer
colors for appliances.
-- Good Design Award for the KitchenAid brand blender and toaster.
-- The blender is designed to meet the high expectations of
KitchenAid
consumers and offers a 56 ounce polycarbonate jar, a powerful motor
housed in heavy die-cast metal base and seamless clean-touch
controls.
-- The toaster offers high-performance and features in a strong
design, which helps bridge the gap in the toaster market between
feature-driven and luxury-driven, by offering the best of both.
Todman was named president, Whirlpool North America in June 2007. He
has been a member of the board of directors of Whirlpool Corporation
since January 2006. Prior to his current assignment, Todman was
President, Whirlpool International, a position he assumed in
December 2005. Todman began his career with Whirlpool in 1993 as
director, Finance, United Kingdom.
Jones joined Whirlpool in 1995 as a leader in the Advanced Product
Concepts group. He is currently the vice president of Global
Consumer Design at Whirlpool Corporation and oversees a global staff
of industrial designers, product engineers, anthropologists,
interaction designers, design strategists and human factors
engineers.
The Third Annual @issue Business and Design Conference will focus on
a series of business success stories that illustrate the role of
design in increasing market share and profit while improving the
quality of life. It is organized by the Corporate Design Foundation,
a non-profit education and research organization that was founded on
the belief that design can make a major contribution to both an
individual's quality of lie and to a corporation's success.
Additional information about the Corporate Design Foundation can be
found at www.cdf.org .
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and
marketer of major home appliances, with 2006 annual sales of
approximately $19 billion, more than 73,000 employees, and more than
70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world.
The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana,
Brastemp, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in
nearly every country around the world. Additional information about
the company can be found at
http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/ .
CONTACT: Monica Teague of Whirlpool Corporation, +1-269-923-7405,
Monica.Teague@Whirlpool.com
Web site:
http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/
http://www.cdf.org/
|
