CHICAGO (Reuters) - Whirlpool Corp said on Friday that it plans to shut a manufacturing facility in Evansville, Indiana, and move some production to Mexico next year, a change that will eliminate about 1,100 full-time U.S. positions but will not affect the company's 2009 forecast.
The company also said it is deciding on the best location for its Refrigeration Product Development Center, which is co-located with the Evansville manufacturing facility and has about 300 employees.
Production of top freezer refrigerators made at the facility will be transferred to a manufacturing facility in Mexico. Production of icemakers will be relocated to a company site that has not yet been determined.
Whirlpool said its 2009 earnings and cash flow outlook remain unchanged. Last month, the company raised the low end of its 2009 earnings estimate to $3.50 a share from $3.00 while keeping the high end at $4.00.
(Reporting by Jessica Wohl, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)
