Household appliance wholesaling
Whilrpool products are distributed in Australia by Arisit, except Maytag which is distributed by Dependable Laundry Solutions, and KitchenAid which is distributed by Whirlpool subsidiary KitchenAid Australia.
Company Ownership
Whirlpool Australia Pty Ltd
AUS
Whirlpool Corporation
owns 100% of Whirlpool Australia Pty Ltd
USA
Whitegoods maker
A world leading manufacturer of home appliances with products available in over 170 countries. Acquired Maytag in 2006, Indesit (including Ariston brand) and Hefei Sanyo (now Whirlpool China) in 2014, and KitchenAid in 2015.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Jun 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Whirlpool Australia Pty Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
3/5 for packaging performance
This company received a packaging performance level of 3 (Advanced) in its 2024 APCO Annual Report. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Each year, APCO Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and Action Plan, which includes an overall performance level from 1 (Getting Started) to 5 (Beyond Best Practice).
Source: APCO
(2024)
Whirlpool Corporation
Praise
Criticism
Information
91/100 in Newsweek rankings
America's Most Responsible Companies 2022 by Newsweek and Statista recognises the Top 500 most responsible companies in the United States. Companies were evaluated in three areas: environmental (waste, energy use, etc.), social (leadership diversity, employees and philanthropy) and governance (transparency and economic performance). This company received a total score of 91/100, ranking 1st in the Consumer Goods sector, and 4th overall.
Source: Newsweek
(2021)
CDP Climate Change score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of B.
Source: CDP
(2023)
100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign
(2021)
CDP Water Security score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of B.
Source: CDP
(2023)
68/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 68/100 in the Household Durables category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 18 Nov 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global
(2022)
JUST Capital ranking
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2024 rankings the public identified 20 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 194th of 937 companies, and 2nd of 16 Household & Leisure Goods companies.
Source: JUST Capital
(2024)
F grade in Plastic Promises Scorecard
As You Sow's 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard measures the corporate ambition and action of 225 large companies across six industries on six core pillars of plastic packaging pollution prevention: 1) Recyclability, 2) Reduction, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Recovery, 5) Reuse, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of F.
Source: As You Sow
(2024)
Supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 15.88/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE
(2023)
43.3% in conflict minerals rankings
As You Sow's 2019 report, Mining the Disclosures, is a deep analysis of 215 companies' human rights performance in relation to sourcing conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This company's score was 43.3% (Minimal).
Source: As You Sow
(2019)
Class action settlement
In 2021 this company settled a class action lawsuit for US$21 million which claimed that this company sold dishwashers containing a defect that caused them to leak. Whirlpool had known about the defect while simultaneously denying its existence for the past eight years, plaintiffs alleged.
Source: Top Class Actions
(2021)
Fined $11.5m over defective cooktops
In 2023 this company agreed to pay US$11.5 million in civil penalties to resolve claims the home appliance company ignored numerous reports of its cooktops turning on on their own and starting house fires.
Source: Top Class Actions
(2023)
CEO Pay Ratio of 419:1
In 2022 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$28,540. The CEO was paid 419 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Source: AFL-CIO
(2023)
Groundwater pollution in USA
This company has admitted pollution of groundwater in and around its former manufacturing facility in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and may face fines from local authorities.
Source: company website
(2014)
D+ grade at Behind the Barcode
D+ grade in the Baptist World Aid Australia's Behind the Barcode 'Ethical Electronics Guide 2016', which grades companies on their efforts to mitigate the risks of forced labour, child labour and worker exploitation throughout their supply chains. Assessment criteria fall into four main categories: policies, traceability & transparency, monitoring & training and worker rights. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Green Power Partner
This company is listed on the EPA Green Power Partnership website (USA) as using renewable energy for 10% of its organisation-wide electricity use in the USA.
Source: EPA
(2023)
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
Code of conduct
This company has a publicly available Code of Conduct on its website.
Source: company website
(2016)
Responsible Minerals Initiative member
This company is a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (formerly the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative), which helps companies address conflict minerals issues in their supply chains. The RMI provides information on conflict-free smelters and refiners, common tools to gather sourcing information, and forums for exchanging best practices on addressing conflict minerals. Membership is open to companies that use or transact in tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold (3TG). Founded in 2008 by members of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative.
Source: RMI
(2019)
How2Recycle member
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Source: How2Recycle
(2023)
OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets
(2020)
Company Details
Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Contact Details
Address:
195 Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
Phone:
03 9237 2777
Website: