Whirlpool: Ruling on Appliance Imports Supports U.S. Manufacturers

[Budget Appliance Repair]

From the new Jan. 2013 PSA-News:

http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1110322435710-24/PSA+News+01-13.pdf

(Includes an interesting financing concept for shops that sale new and used appliances.)

 

Whirlpool: Ruling on Appliance Imports Supports U.S. Manufacturers
Dec 20, 2012

 

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) gave its final ruling in a case involving imports of large residential washers from South Korea and Mexico. The DOC concluded that South Korea-based appliance manufacturers, including LG and Samsung, are dumping large residential washers into the U.S. market, violating U.S. and international trade laws.

The Dec. 19, 2012 ruling came in response to a petition filed by Whirlpool Corp. in December 2011.

 

"This decision is an important victory for our 22,000 dedicated U.S. employees, the consumers we serve, and the U.S. appliance industry," said Marc Bitzer, President, Whirlpool North America Region. "Whirlpool has made substantial investments to increase production here in the United States and to fuel innovation that creates superior products for consumers. On a level playing field, we are confident that Whirlpool will continue to produce leading innovative products demonstrating the vitality of American manufacturing."

The DOC announced the following dumping margins for South Korean and Mexican producers:

 

South Korean Producers
* LG: 13.02%
* Samsung: 9.29%
* Daewoo: 82.41%

 

Mexican Producers
* Samsung: 72.41%
* Electrolux: 36.52%
* Whirlpool: 72.41% (Whirlpool said it has discontinued shipments of washers from Mexico for sale in the United States. Therefore, no cash deposits will be required.)

A second ruling from the DOC on December 19, in a separate case, determined that unlawful subsidies were provided on the same products from South Korea. The DOC determined countervailing duty margins of 72.30% for Daewoo and 1.85% for Samsung.

Whirlpool said that, as part of its strategic commitment to invest in U.S. manufacturing to supply the U.S. market, it made significant investments at its plant in Clyde, Ohio, where it manufactures large residential washers. As a result of these investments, Whirlpool now manufacturers all of its large residential washers for the U.S. market in the Ohio plant.

Whirlpool said that it expects the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to vote on Jan. 18, 2013, regarding injury to the domestic industry caused by the dumped and subsidized imports

In February 2013 Whirlpool expects final orders published with the issuance of final affirmative determinations from the DOC and the ITC.

[RegUS_PatOff]

... On a level playing field, we are confident that Whirlpool will continue to produce leading innovative products

... then design and build an innovative product ...

OR re-allow the build of the classic Direct Drive Whirlpool top-loaders

[DurhamAppliance]

Hmmm, no mention of the bottom mount fridge dumping investigation?

[RegUS_PatOff]

Hmmm, no mention of the bottom mount fridge dumping investigation?

hhmm.. what ?, our current U.S. design / built Fridges aren't good enough ?

.. 'just sayin'

[DurhamAppliance]

Just curious re: http://appliantology.org/topic/34572-whirlpool-cutting-jobs-lg-and-samsung-price-dumping-fridges-in-us/?hl=dumping

[john63]

For those not familiar with how all of this transpired,read...

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Free_Trade_Agreement

 

***************************

 

<<<The DOC announced the following *dumping margins* (another term for: TARIFFS) for South Korean and Mexican producers:

 

South Korean Producers
* LG: 13.02%
* Samsung: 9.29%
* Daewoo: 82.41%

 

Mexican Producers
* Samsung: 72.41%
* Electrolux: 36.52%

 

* Whirlpool: 72.41% (Whirlpool said it has discontinued shipments of washers from Mexico for sale in the United States. Therefore, no cash deposits will be required.)

 

 

"This decision is an important victory for our 22,000 dedicated U.S. employees, the consumers we serve, and the U.S. appliance industry," said Marc Bitzer, President, Whirlpool North America Region. "Whirlpool has made substantial investments to increase production here in the United States and to fuel innovation that creates superior products for consumers. On a level playing field, we are confident that Whirlpool will continue to produce leading innovative products demonstrating the vitality of American manufacturing.">>>

 

 

************************

 

I laughed so hard---tears were running down my cheeks---when I read this silly corporate statement.

 

At the outset of NAFTA's implementation---Whirlpool took the opportunity to move manufacturing overseas (due to high unionized labor costs) and proceeded to engage in it's own "dumping" practices.

 

With the subsequent explosion of global commerce---other competitors entered the markets and began to overtake Whirlpool's marketshare using the very same tactics.

 

Whirlpool decides that it's very own business model was a threat to itself---and goes to court and wins.

AND THEN HAS THE LAUGHABLE AUDACITY to release the above statement

 

This was even more hysterical...

 

<<<* Whirlpool: 72.41% (Whirlpool said it has discontinued shipments of washers from Mexico for sale in the United States. Therefore, no cash deposits will be required.)>>>

 

****************************************

 

COMICAL TRANSLATION: "Though we've been robbing banks for many years---now that others are robbing banks more effectively and efficiently than we are---it's time to stop the practice of robbing banks.

We are now committed to substantial investments for the safety and security of all 22,000 US banks. No more armed robberies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DurhamAppliance]

Are you insinuating that an American corporation would dare put profit consideration over the well being of its workers? Surely you jest

[john63]

<<<Are you insinuating that an American corporation would dare put profit consideration over the well being of its workers?>>>

 

*********************

 

No.

 

Only that Whirlpool corporate-types are very funny people.

 

And that there are also funny people at the ITC as well.

 

Let's put it another way...

 

The US government sure has a way of creating unintended consequences that spans decades---and forces American businesses to take extreme measures to remain profitable.

 

Like watching a never-ending train wreck...

[mrecords]

In the end, with all the negative impacts aside, we will hopefully see better designed products. In terms of quality, the "race to the bottom" mentality of corporations hurts everyone--consumer and servicer alike.