Whirlpool Clyde plant

Whirlpool Clyde plant
Operated1952–present
Location
IndustryHome appliances
Products
Employees3,000
Volume2,400,000 square feet (220,000 m2)
OwnerWhirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Clyde plant is an appliance manufacturing plant in Clyde, Ohio, owned by Whirlpool Corporation.[1][2] The plant was the world's largest washing machine factory, producing over 4 million washers annually.[1]

History

The plant was originally operated by the Clyde Porcelain Steel Company. In 1952, Whirlpool bought the 250,000-square-foot manufacturing plant from a steelmaker, and converted it into a wringer washer production facility.[3] In 1954, Whirlpool purchased an adjacent 170,000-square-foot plant from the Bendix Corporation, instantly solidifying the town as a washing machine hub.[4]

In 1961, Whirlpool invested $12 million to its Clyde plant to have a cost-effective automated production line.[3] In the 1970s, the facility began shifting its engineering focus to meet new energy efficiency standards, relying on reliable, belt-driven Emerson motors for its machines, phasing out serviceable Delco motors.[3]

In the early 1980s, the facility launched the production of the Design 2000 washing machines; these washers replaced the traditional, belt-driven gearcases with a robust direct-drive motor that delivered higher spin speeds and better reliability.[3][5] In October 1986, Whirlpool discontinued belt-drive washer production and closed the historic St. Joseph, Michigan laundry manufacturing plant, eliminating over 1,000 jobs and consolidating production in Clyde, Ohio.[6]

In 1990, the plant began manufacturing washers for the Canadian market following the closure of the Whirlpool plant in Cambridge, Ontario.[7] In 1994, Whirlpool invested $42 million in its Clyde, Ohio, plant to make its new front-load, European-style washing machines, creating 230 workers, but these machines are uncommon in the U.S. at the time.[8]

In November 2008, Whirlpool Corporation laid off 250 workers at its washer manufacturing plant in Clyde, Ohio. The cutbacks were temporary and impacted the first shift.[9] In April 2014, Whirlpool shifted production of its commercial front-load washing machines from Monterrey, Mexico to its Clyde plant, creating between 80 and 100 new jobs over a three-year period.[10]

President Donald Trump visited Whirlpool Corporation in Clyde on August 6, 2020, as part of the 2020 United States presidential election campaign.[11] Trump was the first president to visit Sandusky County in over 100 years.[12] On October 15, 2025, Whirlpool announced a $300 million investment spread across two of its Ohio laundry manufacturing plants, creating between 400 and 600 jobs.[13]

On April 10, 2026, Whirlpool announced a $60 million investment to build a new manufacturing plant in Perrysburg, Ohio, located at the site of the former Toledo Solar.[14] The project, located at 1775 Progress Drive, will create approximately 150 jobs, and will produce appliance components for washers and dryers to support both Clyde and Marion plants.[15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Whirlpool US Manufacturing". Whirlpool Corporation. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Whirlpool Corporation recognizes Manufacturing Day 2021 by celebrating U.S. plant work force". Whirlpool Corporation. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Whirlpool Centennial: From Humble Roots to Global Production Power". Assembly Magazine. October 27, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Whirlpool Co. Buys Bendix Buildings". The New York Times. January 6, 1954. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Whirlpool's Aggressive Goals". The New York Times. February 21, 1985. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Whirlpool said it plans to close 4 Michigan plants". Los Angeles Times. August 25, 1986. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Whirlpool Corp. announced Wednesday its 72 percent-owned Canadian subsidiary". UPI. February 15, 1989. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Whirlpool To Expand Ohio Plant". Chicago Tribune. October 25, 1994. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Whirlpool Cuts 300 Jobs At Washing Machine Plant". Manufacturing.net. November 6, 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Whirlpool Moves Commercial Washing Machine Production From Mexico to US". Whirlpool Corporation. December 20, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Trump in Ohio: President makes 6 promises to American workers during address at the Whirlpool plant in Clyde". wtol.com. August 6, 2020 [Originally published August 3, 2020]. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Trump to be 1st president to visit Sandusky County in over 100 years". wtol.com. August 5, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Whirlpool Corporation Announces $300 Million Investment in U.S. Plants". Whirlpool Corporation. October 15, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Whirlpool Announces $60M Investment, Up To 150 Jobs For New Ohio Facility". Whirlpool Corporation. April 10, 2026. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Whirlpool to open new factory in Perrysburg". WTVG. April 10, 2026. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
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