Operating Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

(13) OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance.

We identify such segments based upon geographical regions of operations because each operating segment manufactures home appliances and related components, but serves strategically different markets. The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance based upon each segment’s operating income, which is defined as income before interest and sundry income (expense), interest expense, income taxes, noncontrolling interests and restructuring costs. Total assets by segment are those assets directly associated with the respective operating activities. The “Other/Eliminations” column primarily includes corporate expenses, assets and eliminations, as well as all other restructuring expenses. Intersegment sales are eliminated within each region except compressor sales out of Latin America, which are included in Other/Eliminations.

Sales activity with Lowe’s, a North American major home appliance retailer, represented $1.6 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.5 billion of consolidated net sales in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Sales activity with Sears, a North American major home appliance retailer, represented $1.4 billion, $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion of consolidated net sales in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We conduct business in two countries, the United States and Brazil, that individually comprised over 10% of consolidated net sales or long-lived assets within the last three years. The following table summarizes net sales and long-lived assets by geographic area:

Millions of dollars	United States		Brazil		All Other Countries		Total
2011:
Sales to external customers	$	8,035	$	3,133	$	7,498	$	18,666
Long-lived assets	4,464		405		1,717		6,586
2010:
Sales to external customers	$	8,221	$	3,290	$	6,855	$	18,366
Long-lived assets	4,431		459		1,764		6,654
2009:
Sales to external customers	$	8,174	$	2,530	$	6,395	$	17,099
Long-lived assets	4,443		437		1,762		6,642

As described above, our chief operating decision maker reviews each operating segment’s performance based upon operating income which excludes restructuring costs. These restructuring costs are included in operating profit on a consolidated basis and included in the Other/Eliminations column in the tables below.

	OPERATING SEGMENTS
Millions of dollars	North America		Latin America		EMEA		Asia		Other/ Eliminations			Total Whirlpool
Net sales
2011	$	9,582	$	5,062	$	3,305	$	881	$	(164	)	$	18,666
2010	9,784		4,694		3,227		855		(194		)	18,366
2009	9,592		3,705		3,338		654		(190		)	17,099
Intersegment sales
2011	$	216	$	187	$	167	$	217	$	(787	)	$	—
2010	201		233		257		197		(888		)	—
2009	142		237		339		169		(887		)	—
Depreciation and amortization
2011	$	290	$	101	$	110	$	21	$	36		$	558
2010	297		92		107		20		39			555
2009	280		77		107		18		43			525
Restructuring costs
2011	$	92	$	3	$	39	$	1	$	1		$	136
2010	42		2		28		—		2			74
2009	35		5		74		10		2			126
Operating profit (loss)
2011	$	398	$	642	$	1	$	30	$	(279	)	$	792
2010	461		668		102		34		(257		)	1,008
2009	560		363		21		30		(286		)	688
Total assets
2011	$	7,894	$	3,620	$	2,839	$	797	$	31		$	15,181
2010	8,163		3,618		3,144		775		(116		)	15,584
2009	8,123		2,887		3,216		690		178			15,094
Capital expenditures
2011	$	316	$	112	$	103	$	27	$	50		$	608
2010	330		108		98		22		35			593
2009	276		78		116		13		58			541