Whirlpool Benton Harbor plant
| Whirlpool Benton Harbor plant | |
|---|---|
| Operated | 1956–2011 |
| Location |
|
| Industry | Home appliances |
| Products | laundry parts |
| Employees | 216 (2010) |
| Area | 100 acres (40 ha) |
| Owner | Whirlpool Corporation |
Whirlpool Benton Harbor plant, known as Plant 7, was an appliance manufacturing plant in Benton Harbor, Michigan owned by Whirlpool Corporation. The 1915-built plant was closed in 2011, shifting parts production to Clyde, Ohio.[1]
History
The plant was opened in 1956 when the company opened its 100-acre administrative and manufacturing center.[2]
In 1986, Whirlpool announced plans to close four of its manufacturing facilities in the St. Joseph, Michigan area, including a laundry manufacturing plant in St. Joseph that was closed in October of that year, shifting production to two non-union plants in Ohio; Clyde and Marion.[3] This leaves the parts plant in Benton Harbor the only one in the St. Joseph, Michigan area.[4]
In June 2010, Whirlpool announced that it will close the Benton Harbor, Michigan, parts manufacturing plant by early 2011, terminating 216 workers,[5] moving parts production to a facility in Clyde, Ohio.[1] After the closure of the Benton Harbor plant, Whirlpool transitioned the 100-acre center into the Benton Harbor Tech Center (completed in 2016), a $155-plus million, 170,000-square-foot technology, refrigeration lab, and office campus.[6]
References
- 1 2 "Whirlpool to Close Benton Harbor Plant". Quality Magazine. June 3, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ December 18, 2011 article about the Benton Harbor from The New York Times Magazine
- ↑ "Whirlpool said it plans to close 4 Michigan plants". Los Angeles Times. August 25, 1986. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool trying not to hang town out to dry". Chicago Tribune. January 12, 1987. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool Corporation Announces Manufacturing Changes In North America". Whirlpool Corporation (Press release). June 1, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool opens Benton Harbor Technology Center". Second Wave Media. January 22, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2026.