Whirlpool’s $300 million Ohio expansion marks strategic US manufacturing pivot
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Whirlpool Corporation has announced a $300 million investment in its US laundry operations, reinforcing its position as the leading domestic manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances. The funds will expand production capacity at its long-standing facilities in Clyde and Marion, Ohio, and are expected to create between 400 and 600 new jobs.
The Clyde facility, in operation since 1952, is the world’s largest washing machine plant. The Marion site, celebrating 70 years of operation, specializes in dryer manufacturing. Together, these locations represent a significant portion of Whirlpool’s US production footprint, and the expansion signals the company’s intention to anchor the next generation of its appliances firmly within the country.
Legacy of domestic manufacturing strength
Founded in 1911, Whirlpool is the only major appliance company still headquartered in the US. This legacy is more than symbolic. Around 80 percent of the company’s US major appliance sales come from products built in its own American factories, compared with an industry average closer to 25 percent. Whirlpool also sources 96 percent of the steel used in its US plants from domestic suppliers, keeping its supply chain aligned with national production goals.
Over the past decade, the company has invested over $6 billion in US capital improvements, R&D, and product development. Total domestic operational spending now exceeds $23 billion, supporting not just Whirlpool’s 20,000 US employees, but thousands more across a network of suppliers and contractors.
Incentives, innovation, and industrial renewal
The investment is backed by proposed financial assistance from JobsOhio and tax incentives from the State of Ohio. These programs, still subject to final approval, will support local workforce development and training efforts in Clyde and Marion. Whirlpool has emphasized its intention to continue building not just appliances, but long-term careers in the communities it operates.
“Across our US operations, from the factory floor to design labs to distribution centers, our people are the foundation of everything we build,” said Kristin Day, vice president of US manufacturing at Whirlpool. “We are proud to reinforce our commitment to the communities and plants where generations have built not just appliances, but careers and families.”
This announcement comes amid a broader shift in global manufacturing strategy. As companies reevaluate offshore production due to rising transport costs and supply chain uncertainty, domestic production is regaining strategic value. Whirlpool’s decision to expand in Ohio is a reflection of that shift and a signal that its long-term strategy favors resilience, proximity, and local economic impact.
At the same time, consumer demand is moving toward energy-efficient and connected home appliances. The new investments will also help the company modernize its output and deliver next-generation products that meet evolving market expectations.