Whirlpool Corporation's Dryer Factory Marks 70 Years of Manufacturing Excellence

Employees at the Company’s Marion, Ohio, Operations Commemorate Seven Decades of Innovation and Community Impact

Whirlpool Corporation, the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, is proud to commemorate the 70th anniversary of its Marion, Ohio, manufacturing facility - a cornerstone of its U.S. manufacturing footprint. The plant, acquired from the Motor Products Corporation, has produced clothes dryers for the U.S. and Canada markets since 1955. This significant milestone commemorates seven decades of innovation, community partnership, and a steadfast commitment to delivering quality home appliances that help improve life at home. 

“My father was an engineer at the Marion plant, and my grandfather worked here in the 1950s - I am following in their footsteps,” said Jason Ebert, Whirlpool Corporation senior vice president for North America manufacturing. “There is no other factory like it in the world, and what makes it truly special are the people who work here. This facility represents decades of American hard work and ingenuity to make clothes dryers millions of homes rely on every day.”

“This facility represents decades of American hard work and ingenuity to make clothes dryers millions of homes rely on every day.”

Starting with a dedicated team of just 235 employees, the first clothes dryer rolled off the line on November 1, 1955. From there, the plant was able to quickly achieve an output of 300 dryers per day, signaling its potential and the rising demand for modern home conveniences. Today, with nearly 2,000 employees, the plant can produce up to 22,000 dryers per day.

“Today we celebrate an important milestone for the Whirlpool Corporation and the people of Marion who have worked there for the past seventy years,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The Whirlpool Marion plant is a powerful example of the hard work, talent, and innovation of the community. For seventy years, this facility and its workers have not only produced appliances found in homes across the country, but it has also provided good-paying jobs for families across Marion and surrounding communities. Today as we celebrate seventy years, the future of manufacturing is happening right now in Ohio, the heart of it all.”

Whirlpool Corporation is proud to help support the communities where its employees live and work. For decades, the company's Marion operations have consistently demonstrated this through action, most notably by supporting nearly two dozen Habitat for Humanity home builds that directly help local residents. Additionally, the site's annual employee campaign, combined with matching funds from the Whirlpool Foundation, significantly contribute to the United Way of North Central Ohio.

On Saturday, Whirlpool Corporation will honor this milestone with a private celebration for employees, and retirees at the facility, including plant tours for the employees’ families members. 

To learn more about Whirlpool Corporation’s industry-leading, U.S. manufacturing operations, visit here.