WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES FIRST PHASE GLOBAL
                             RESTRUCTURING ACTIONS

     BENTON HARBOR, Mich. - Jan. 31, 2001 - Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR)
today announced the specific details of the first phase of its worldwide
restructuring plan, which was discussed in its earnings release last week.

     The plan is designed to enhance Whirlpool's competitiveness and
performance, as well as reinforce its capacity to invest in its brand building
strategies.

     As previously announced, the first phase of the restructuring includes the
elimination of more than 2,000 positions worldwide.

     In Latin America, the company plans to close its refrigerator manufacturing
facility in Sao Bernardo, Brazil, resulting in the elimination of about 1,000
positions.  The company plans to consolidate production of refrigerators in
Brazil at its Joinville, Brazil, manufacturing facility.

     In Europe, the company plans to optimize production capacity for component
operations and use targeted reductions in force elsewhere in the region to
reduce its headcount by about 250 positions.

     In Asia, about 400 positions will be eliminated through the sale of
facilities and the outsourcing of non-core operations in both India and China.

     In North America, about 300 positions have been eliminated through
voluntary retirement and targeted reductions in force.  Another 100 positions
will be eliminated, primarily through the outsourcing of Whirlpool's spare-parts
packaging operations.

     As previously announced, the company expects that this phase of the
restructuring will result in a first quarter charge of approximately $75 million
and will produce savings of about $35 million in 2001, increasing to about $50
million on an annualized basis.

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Whirlpool Corporation - add one
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     The restructuring, which will be implemented in phases on a quarter-by-
quarter basis, is expected to be completed within the next 12 to 18 months.  In
total, the restructuring plan is expected to result in pre-tax charges of
between $300 million and $350 million and an annualized savings of between $225
million and $250 million.  The plan is expected to eliminate up to 6,000
positions worldwide.

     Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of
major home appliances.  Headquartered in Benton Harbor, the company manufactures
in 13 countries and markets products under 11 major brand names in more than 170
countries.  Additional information about the company can be found on the
Internet at www.WhirlpoolCorp.com.

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Media                                    Financial
Christopher Wyse                         Thomas Filstrup
616-923-3417                             616-923-3189
christopher_j_wyse@email.whirlpool.com   thomas_c_filstrup@email.whirlpool.com