News

Whirlpool to Build $120 Million Plant in Cleveland, Tenn.

Sept. 2, 2010 – Whirlpool Corporation has announced plans to build a $120 million manufacturing and distributing facility in Cleveland, Tenn. The company will build a 1 million square-foot plant dedicated to the manufacture of premium cook tops and ovens, accompanied by a 400,000 square-foot distribution center.

Total construction costs of $120 million make this the largest single investment Whirlpool has made anywhere in the world. The project, which will retain 1,500 jobs at the existing Cleveland plant and add 130 more, represents a strengthened commitment by Whirlpool to operations in the Tennessee Valley.

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified, state-of-the-art facility is expected to begin production in early 2012. The announcement was the culmination of a process that began last fall when the company began studying modernization of its100-year-old factory in Cleveland, and eventually decided to build a replacement plant from the ground up.

Doug Berry, vice president of the Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce, praised Cleveland Utilities management and staff for their “can do” attitude in working to make the project a reality. The team of economic development partners involved in the effort included the Chamber, Cleveland Utilities, the city of Cleveland, Tennessee Economic and Community Development, and TVA.