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Whirlpool Corporation has undergone one of the most extensive workforce reductions in its recent history, eliminating over 1,700 positions across multiple rounds of layoffs from March 2024 through October 2025. Under CEO Marc Bitzer’s leadership, the appliance giant has systematically reduced its global workforce through strategic restructuring, citing weak housing markets, declining appliance demand, and organizational transformation as primary drivers.
This comprehensive analysis examines each layoff round chronologically, detailing company statements, executive justifications, employee reactions, union responses, severance packages, and the broader financial context behind these workforce reductions.
From the initial 1,000 salaried position cuts in March 2024 to the most recent Benton Harbor headquarters layoffs in October 2025, this report captures every documented detail including CEO Marc Bitzer’s strategic statements, CFO Jim Peters’ cost-cutting targets, heated union criticism from the International Association of Machinists, employee social media reactions, and the devastating impact on communities like Amana, Iowa, where 250 manufacturing workers ultimately lost their jobs despite initial plans to cut 651 positions.
Complete Job Cuts Impact Summary (2024-2025)
Total Workforce Reduction
Confirmed Layoff Rounds:
- March 2024: 1,000 salaried positions globally
- February 2025: ~440 administrative positions worldwide
- April-June 2025: 250 manufacturing workers (Amana, Iowa)
- October 2025: <25 headquarters roles (Benton Harbor)
Total Estimated Impact: Approximately 1,715+ positions eliminated across the 24-month period.
October 2025: Benton Harbor Headquarters Layoffs
Layoff Details and Scope
Whirlpool Corporation announced its most recent round of layoffs in October 2025, affecting fewer than 25 employees with global roles located at the company’s headquarters in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Company Statement and Strategic Rationale
The company described this latest reduction as “another step in the company’s evolution” to integrate “global product development and engineering teams directly into our company’s business units”. This move represents Whirlpool’s continued organizational restructuring toward a more decentralized operational model.
Departments and Functions Affected
The layoffs specifically targeted global product development and engineering teams that were being absorbed into individual business units as part of the company’s decentralization strategy.
Employee Notification and Timeline
Affected employees were notified in early October 2025, with the cuts taking effect immediately as part of the ongoing organizational transformation.
June 2025: Amana Iowa Manufacturing Layoffs – Reduced to 250 Workers
Revised Layoff Scale
Following significant pushback and delays, Whirlpool reduced the planned Amana layoffs from 651 to approximately 250 workers at its Middle Amana, Iowa manufacturing facility.
Union Response and Criticism
International Association of Machinists (IAM) Union issued a scathing statement: “Our hearts ache for every single member and family affected by Whirlpool management’s decision to lay off approximately 250 workers at its Amana facility… Whirlpool deserves no praise for slashing good-paying union jobs while using the tired excuse of global competition and cost-cutting”.
The union continued: “This announcement is another example of corporate America abandoning working families and small communities nationwide”.
Production and Product Impact
The layoffs continued to affect the French door and column refrigerator production lines, though at a reduced scale compared to the original announcement.
Community and Economic Impact
Despite the reduction, the layoffs still represented a significant blow to the rural Iowa community, which heavily depends on the manufacturing jobs provided by the Whirlpool facility.
April 2025: Amana Iowa Layoffs Initially Delayed
Unexpected Reprieve Announcement
On April 29, 2025, Whirlpool surprised stakeholders by delaying the planned massive layoffs at its Amana facility, providing temporary relief for 651 workers who were scheduled to lose their jobs.
Official Company Statement on Delay
“On April 29, Whirlpool Corporation postponed layoffs on a production line at our facility in Amana, Iowa. We are postponing these workforce changes until later this year. We are dedicated to keeping our Amana employees informed and appreciate their dedication and contributions”.
Market Speculation and Reasons
Industry analysts suggested the delay was due to potential tariff considerations and market uncertainty, though Whirlpool did not provide specific reasons for the postponement.
April 2025: Amana Iowa Manufacturing Crisis – 651 Workers
Iowa’s Largest Layoff of 2025
Whirlpool announced what became Iowa’s largest layoff announcement of 2025, initially targeting 651 manufacturing workers at its Middle Amana facility.
Facility and Production Details
- Location: Middle Amana, Iowa manufacturing plant
- Products Affected: French door and column refrigerators
- Workforce Impact: Approximately one-third of the plant’s 2,000-person workforce
- Original Effective Date: June 1, 2025
Official Company Statement
“Whirlpool Corporation has made necessary adjustments to production at its Amana operations to align with current market conditions driven by consumer demand. This has resulted in the announcement of a workforce reduction of approximately 650 employees within specific production teams at the facility”.
Union Leadership Response
IAM Local 1526 issued a heartfelt statement: “Our hearts go out to every member and family affected by Whirlpool management’s announcement… This is a community that relies heavily on good IAM Union jobs that help sustain thousands of families in the Amana area”.
Political and Legislative Reactions
Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner expressed alarm: “Alarm bells should be sounding in our communities. Our agricultural economy is deteriorating, inconsistent tariffs are worsening existing problems and Iowans can hardly go a week without witnessing another round of layoffs”.
Charlie Wishman, Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO President, delivered harsh criticism: “This is outrageous for a company that made $17 billion last year. Once again the working class is suffering at the hands of billionaires who don’t seem to care, let alone understand the struggles of the American people”.
Unemployment Benefits Controversy
The timing proved particularly devastating as Iowa had reduced unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 16 weeks in 2022, meaning affected workers faced shorter support periods during their job search.
Community Economic Impact
The layoffs threatened to devastate the rural Amana community, where Whirlpool serves as one of the primary employers and economic anchors.
February 2025: Global Administrative Decentralization Layoffs
Scope and Scale of Reductions
Whirlpool implemented a strategic restructuring affecting less than 1% of its 44,000 global workforce, translating to approximately 440 employees across administrative functions worldwide.
CEO Marc Bitzer’s Strategic Statement
“In 2025, we expect to deliver more than $200 million of cost take out and position our business for the eventual U.S. housing recovery”.
Departments and Functions Eliminated
According to insider reports, the layoffs specifically targeted:
- Global Shared Services (GSS)
- Global Information Technology (GIT)
- Finance departments across regions
- Human Resources functions
- Procurement and administrative support roles
Organizational Restructuring Strategy
The company established a new “business services organization” with operational hubs in:
- Benton Harbor, Michigan (corporate headquarters)
- India (technology and shared services)
- Mexico (regional operations)
- Brazil (South American operations)
Employee Severance and Benefits
Whirlpool provided affected employees with “comprehensive transition benefits, including severance, with specifics varying by country”. However, detailed severance package information was not publicly disclosed.
Strategic Business Rationale
The company framed the restructuring as a shift toward “a decentralized model with more autonomous business units and a leaner, more strategic corporate center”.
April 2024: Second Wave Global Salaried Layoffs – Implementation Phase
Completion of 1,000-Job Reduction Plan
Whirlpool completed the second wave of its global salaried layoffs in late April 2024, finishing the 1,000-position elimination announced in March.
Executive Leadership Statement
The company’s official statement emphasized strategic necessity: “The company is shifting to a decentralized model with more autonomous business units and a leaner, more strategic corporate center… These are not easy choices, but they are required to secure the long-term success of the company”.
Financial Performance Context
- Revenue Decline: 3.4% drop in first-quarter net sales to $4.49 billion
- Market Pressures: Sluggish consumer demand for major appliances
- Cost Reduction Target: $400 million in annual cost savings
Implementation Timeline and Process
The layoffs were executed in two distinct waves to minimize operational disruption while achieving the targeted cost reductions.
March 2024: First Wave Global Salaried Layoffs – 1,000 Positions
Massive Global Restructuring Launch
Whirlpool initiated its most significant workforce reduction in recent history, announcing the elimination of approximately 1,000 salaried employees globally as part of a comprehensive strategic transformation.
CEO Marc Bitzer’s Transformation Vision
Chairman and CEO Marc Bitzer announced the restructuring as part of a broader strategic shift: “The completion of this transaction highlights our significant progress to transform into a higher-growth, higher-margin business. As a more focused and agile company, we are well-positioned to drive value and further our commitment to improving life at home”.
CFO Financial Strategy Statement
CFO Jim Peters outlined ambitious cost-cutting targets, stating the company aimed to reduce expenses by $400 million for 2024, with the layoffs serving as a primary mechanism to achieve these savings.
Global Workforce Impact
- Total Workforce: Affected Whirlpool’s 59,000-person global workforce
- Primary Target: Office and administrative staff across all regions
- Restructuring Charges: Expected $50 million in 2024 implementation costs
Strategic Business Context
The layoffs coincided with Whirlpool’s major European divestiture transaction completed in April 2024, where the company sold its European operations to Arçelik A.Ş. for a 25% stake in the newly formed Beko Europe B.V..
Market Pressures and Housing Crisis
Weak US Housing Market Impact: Company leadership consistently cited the sluggish housing market as a primary driver, with CEO Bitzer stating: “The discretionary side that’s driven by existing home sales really has seen no pick up and no benefit yet”.
Appliance Demand Decline: North American major appliance sales fell 8.1% in Q1 2024, creating significant pressure on the company’s core business.
Employee Reactions and Social Media Sentiment
Internal Employee Criticism
Anonymous posts on TheLayoff.com revealed significant internal dissatisfaction:
“This company has been the worst experience I have ever had. Executive leadership needs a ‘transition’ also”
“I can’t believe that Bitzer is still CEO… He’s run the company into the ground”
“Whirlpool is a sales and marketing company and not an engineering company… Leadership people were and are simply too ignorant to understand this”
CEO Performance Criticism
Employees specifically criticized CEO Marc Bitzer’s financial performance:
“The Dow has increased value by 40%, when adjusted for inflation, and Whirlpool stock has dropped in value by nearly 53%, when adjusted for inflation, since Bitzer took over”
Financial Performance and Market Context
Revenue and Stock Performance Decline
- 2024 Revenue: $16.607 billion, representing a significant decrease from $19.455 billion in 2023
- Stock Performance: Shares trading in the $76-94 range during 2024-2025, down significantly from previous years
- Credit Rating Impact: S&P Global downgraded Whirlpool to ‘BB+’ from ‘BBB-‘ in April 2025
Cost Reduction Achievements and Targets
- 2024 Achievement: Successfully reduced costs by $300 million
- 2025 Target: Additional $200 million in cost reduction planned
- Total Restructuring: Multi-year program targeting over $500 million in savings
Housing Market Dependencies
CEO Marc Bitzer consistently highlighted the company’s vulnerability to housing market conditions, with existing home sales being a critical driver of appliance demand.
Geographic and Divisional Impact
Primary Regions Affected:
- United States: Benton Harbor headquarters, Amana Iowa manufacturing
- Global Operations: Administrative and engineering roles worldwide
- International: Shared services and regional operations
Divisions Most Impacted:
- Manufacturing: Production teams (refrigeration lines)
- Administrative: Finance, HR, IT, procurement, shared services
- Engineering: Global product development teams
- Corporate: Strategic and operational headquarters roles
This comprehensive restructuring represents one of the most significant workforce reductions in Whirlpool Corporation’s recent history, fundamentally reshaping the company’s operational structure under CEO Marc Bitzer’s leadership while responding to challenging market conditions and strategic transformation objectives.
