Whirlpool Tulsa plant
| Whirlpool Tulsa plant | |
|---|---|
| Built | 1994–1996 |
| Operated | 1996–present |
| Location |
|
| Industry | Home appliances |
| Products | |
| Employees | 1,500 (2000)[1] |
| Volume | 887,000 square feet (82,400 m2) |
| Owner | Whirlpool Corporation |
Whirlpool Tulsa plant is an appliance manufacturing plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma owned by Whirlpool Corporation.[2]
History
In April 1994, Whirlpool announced that it would build a $100 million, Tulsa, Oklahoma, manufacturing plant, in the Cherokee Expressway Industrial District. The construction was bolstered by a $26-million municipal bond approved by Tulsa County voters.[3][4] The plant officially began operations in 1996 to build Kenmore ovens for Sears, later building Whirlpool ovens; it was originally built to produce 1 million ranges per year.[5]
In March 2002, Whirlpool Corporation announced it would close its Montmagny, Quebec, Inglis factory by 2004, which is the last manufacturing plant producing appliances for the company in Canada, resulting in the elimination of 500 jobs. The Tulsa plant started producing cooking appliances for the Canadian market along with the Oxford, Mississippi plant.[6]
By 2005, the plant had already generated over $250 million in payroll, allowing Whirlpool to receive the deed to the building outright, four years ahead of schedule.[7] In June 2007, the company announced the relocation of freestanding cooking range manufacturing from its Cleveland, Tennessee, plant to the Tulsa facility, bringing new manufacturing volume and jobs to the region.[8][9]
In April 2014, the plant officially reached a major milestone by producing its 20 millionth unit.[10] Whirlpool opened an $55 million, 800,000-square-foot Factory Distribution Center in March 2020. The $55 million facility doubled the company's regional footprint and features advanced, LEED-certified climate control and conveyor systems.[5]
In May 2021, Whirlpool announced a $15 million investment in the facility located at the Cherokee Industrial Center. This allocation was directed toward new machinery and equipment to boost production capabilities, along with a $1 million incentive package from the state of Oklahoma to drive local job creation.[11]
References
- ↑ "Whirlpool to cut up to 6000 workers, company to miss fourth quarter estimates". News on 6. December 14, 2000. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool US Manufacturing". Whirlpool Corporation. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool Centennial: From Humble Roots to Global Production Power". Assembly Magazine. October 27, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Tulsa Voters OK Whirlpool Tax". The Oklahoman. June 15, 1994. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
- 1 2 "Whirlpool opens new distribution center in Tulsa". The Journal Record. March 6, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool to close Quebec plant; 500 jobs lost". CBC. March 21, 2002. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool plant in Tulsa gets deed to building". News on 6. November 22, 2005. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool Moving Work To Tulsa". News on 6. June 7, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool to Cut 730 Manufacturing Jobs, or 1% of Work Force". CNBC. June 7, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool Corporation Builds 20 Millionth Range At Tulsa Plant". PR Newswire (Press release). April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Whirlpool Corporation Announces $15M Investment in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Factory to Drive Job Creation and Increased Production Capabilities". PR Newswire (Press release). May 27, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2026.