Based on current economic conditions, Whirlpool continues to expect full-year 2007 U.S. industry unit shipments to decline approximately 2 to 3 percent.

Whirlpool sales increased 3 percent to $4.9 billion in the second quarter of 2007. Results were adversely affected by significantly higher material costs and lower industry shipments within the United States.

Whirlpool North America reported second-quarter revenue of $3.0 billion, down approximately 6 percent versus the year-ago period primarily due to lower OEM shipments and industry demand. As expected, industry unit shipments of major appliances declined approximately 1 percent for the quarter and 5 percent for the first half of 2007. Industry shipment trends began to improve during the quarter, following six months of high single-digit, year-over-year declines.

Based on current economic conditions, Whirlpool continues to expect full-year 2007 U.S. industry unit shipments to decline approximately 2 to 3 percent.

"While weak industry demand and significantly higher material prices in the United States have unfavorably impacted our results for the past year, we are positive about the trends exiting the second quarter and believe demand will begin returning to moderate growth levels in the second half of this year," said Jeff M. Fettig, chairman and chief executive officer of Whirlpool Corporation.

During the quarter, Whirlpool's Maytag brand completed the launch of the Centennial series washer and dryer to celebrate the 100-year
anniversary of its first washing machine. The Centennial system offers retro styling with a center-knob control and metallic accents.

Whirlpool Corporation also partnered with Habitat for Humanity and built 9 homes in 5 days for the second annual Building Blocks project, created by Whirlpool to raise awareness of the affordable housing crisis and to help eliminate substandard housing in the United States. The homes were built in Guadalupe, Arizona.