 Introduction of Whirlpool Slovakia |
In 1991, Whirlpool Corporation and Tatramat, the former Czechoslovak producer of automatic washing machines formed a joint venture. In 1994 Whirlpool took a controlling interest in the joint venture. Today Whirlpool, spol. s.r.o. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Whirlpool Corporation, the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances.
The Whirlpool Corporation entered the Central European markets shortly after the major political and economic changes in 1989.
This decision was a profitable move. By the year 2000, Whirlpool Slovakia had become a leader in this market by selling over one million products in the Slovak Republic. Approximately half of Slovak households have purchased a Whirlpool product.
| The production plant in Poprad, Slovakia |
Errico Biondi. is the Director of the plant in Poprad,
a major employer in the region. Whirlpool Slovakia,
employing 670 people, is the only producer of Whirlpool
home appliances in Central and Eastern Europe. |
Recent innovations in technology and more efficient organization have resulted in a continuing increase in the production of automatic washing machines. The current annual production of 1.4 million washing machines by Whirlpool Slovakia ranks the plant among 10 elite members of "The One Million Units Club" of the parent Whirlpool Corporation. Ninety-two percent of the production from the Poprad plant is exported to major markets in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The production capacity and supplier base have continuously increased since 2000. In May 2002, Whirlpool Slovakia will enlarge the industrial park and
initiate production of components in three new facilities, thereby creating 300 new jobs. As a result of our suppliers being near the plant, the transportation expenses will be lowered, and the quality and flexibility of production will increase. |
