Several VIP guests and politicians joined Whirlpool Corporation at the Tulsa, Okla., last week to officially launch a new range. Tulsa Operations Senior Director Paul Rushing hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the company’s new Vesta slide-in range.
“We are very excited about producing this new slide-in range here in Tulsa,” Rushing said. “The product leadership and efficiency of our Vesta free-standing line – along with the support of local and state partners – made this new Vesta slide-in range a reality.”
Guests included Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce Larry Parman, U.S. Congressman Jim Bridenstine and several other local leaders. Rushing also gave the guests a VIP tour of the new Vesta line.
“The state of Oklahoma appreciates Whirlpool’s commitment to our state, workforce and the Tulsa region,” Parman said. “We’re confident this facility will continue the successful relationship between the state of Oklahoma and Whirlpool Corporation.”
The Tulsa plant employs more than 1,000 workers pumping out almost 7,000 new ranges each day. Workers produce ranges for the Whirlpool, Amana, Maytag, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Inglis and IKEA brands. The plant has a history of innovation, such as being the first facility in the U.S. to introduce self-cleaning ovens with AquaLift® technology.