Whirlpool Partners with the CDME

Whirlpool Corporation, a home appliances manufacturer, is partnering with the Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence at the Ohio State University. The CDME is excited about the opportunity to work with a large scale manufacturer. Whirlpool Corporation is the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world, with approximately $21 billion in annual sales, 97,000 employees and 70 manufacturing and technology research centers in 2015. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air, Indesit and other major brand names in nearly every country throughout the world.

The company has come to the CDME with the task of analyzing and improving the forming processes used with pre-decorated steels to expand their capabilities and improve product performance. The goal is to develop standard verified test methods for the analysis of these substrates. Whirlpool and OSU will work together on this multi-industry project to bring additional sponsors, resources, and equipment.

The company has welcomed this collaboration by inviting a group of CDME interns to tour one of its manufacturing facilities. On June 3rd, 2016, a group of five interns had the fantastic opportunity to visit Clyde, Ohio the massive washing machine facility which is known for utilizing more stainless steel than any other manufacturer in the country, yet remains almost entirely sustainable.