Sales increased 45 percent versus the year-ago period to $3.3 billion, reflecting the revenue contribution from the acquisition of Maytag. Excluding the acquisition impact, sales increased approximately 4 percent.

Whirlpool Corporation announced record 2006 third quarter net sales of $4.8 billion, an increase of 35 percent from 2005. The increase primarily reflects the acquisition of Maytag Corporation. Excluding the Maytag acquisition, net sales increased approximately 8 percent.

"Global industry demand was in-line with our expectations and is evolving as previously anticipated," said Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool Corporation's chairman and chief executive officer. "Given recent trends, we continue to expect moderate global industry unit shipment growth during the second half of the year and anticipate global industry growth of 1-to-2 percent in 2007."

Fettig added, "The integration of Maytag continues to progress well at an accelerated pace and is proceeding as expected."

Whirlpool North America operations delivered record third quarter revenue. Sales increased 45 percent versus the year-ago period to $3.3 billion, reflecting the revenue contribution from the acquisition of Maytag. Excluding the acquisition impact, sales increased approximately 4 percent. Industry unit shipments of major appliances declined approximately 1 percent during the quarter.

Based on current economic conditions, the company expects full-year industry unit shipments in 2006 to increase approximately 1 percent.

"We begin ramping down Maytag laundry production at two acquired facilities during the fourth quarter and simultaneously begin transferring production to our Clyde, and Marion, Ohio locations. Our integration plans remain on track," said Fettig.