Reuters reported that top US appliance maker Whirlpool Corporation will close a Michigan machining plant, resulting in the loss of 216 jobs.

Whirlpool said that its newest, most efficient laundry appliances would be made at its Clyde in Ohio plant, resulting in the elimination of the jobs at a plant in Benton Harbor, Michigan, where the company is based, at year end or early in 2011.

The company said that the Michigan plant makes components for washers. With fewer parts needed in the newer energy efficient models, that work will now be done in Ohio. About 30% of Whirlpool's 67,000 worldwide work force resides in the United States, with about 17,000 working in manufacturing positions. Over the past year, Whirlpool said its US manufacturing employee base has increased 12%.

Ms Jill Saletta spokeswoman of Whirlpool said that the decision to shutter the plant is part of ongoing restructuring at the company and will involve some costs. She added that "This was purely a business decision and in no way reflects upon our employees, who by all accounts have done everything we asked of them."

In August 2009, Whirlpool announced plans to shut a freezer refrigerator plant in Evansville, Indiana and shift some production to Mexico in 2010. It said at the time it would take a USD 51 million charge for closing that facility and cutting about 1,100 full time jobs.

In May 2010, Whirlpool posted a stronger than expected quarterly profit and full year forecast as it benefited from strong sales in Brazil, Asia and North America. A sluggish economy and weak housing market had previously dented sales in North America, its top market.

(Sourced from www.reuters.com)