-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, GvCYRtSAQZb0+Ll6TMb8bZFkv87i6xjSy4GRzeK47Yk4ih2UviUzJu+M5JuzicOT dNONM+4aNhufNkRlFMvEmA== 0000909518-05-000556.txt : 20050801 0000909518-05-000556.hdr.sgml : 20050801 20050801173030 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000909518-05-000556 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 425 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050801 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050801 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MAYTAG CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000063541 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES [3630] IRS NUMBER: 420401785 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 425 SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-00655 FILM NUMBER: 05989374 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 403 W 4TH ST N CITY: NEWTON STATE: IA ZIP: 50208 BUSINESS PHONE: 6417927000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 403 W. 4TH STREET NW CITY: NEWTON STATE: IA ZIP: 50208 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MAYTAG CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19870602 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WHIRLPOOL CORP /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000106640 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES [3630] IRS NUMBER: 381490038 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 425 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: WHIRLPOOL CNTR 2000 M 63 STREET 2: C/O CORPORATE SECRETARY CITY: BENTON HARBOR STATE: MI ZIP: 49022-2692 BUSINESS PHONE: 6169235000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: WHIRLPOOL CTR 2000 M 63 STREET 2: C/O CORPORATE SECRETARY CITY: BENTON HARBOR STATE: MI ZIP: 49022-2692 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: WHIRLPOOL SEEGER CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19710824 425 1 mv8-1_425.txt Filed by: Whirlpool Corporation Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933 Subject Company: Maytag Corporation Commission File No: 1-655 On August 1, 2005, Whirlpool Corporation ("Whirlpool") advised Maytag Corporation ("Maytag") that, as of July 31, 2005, of Whirlpool's top 20 trade customers (determined on the basis of revenue from all channels and all products), Whirlpool's top five retail buying groups and NARDA, 22 of the 26 have written letters supporting Whirlpool's proposed acquisition of Maytag and the balance have not indicated opposition. On August 1, 2005, Whirlpool further advised Maytag that, as of July 31, 2005, of the top four major appliance retailers, one has written a letter of support, two have indicated they are not opposed but as a matter of corporate policy do not write such letters and the fourth has by policy declined to comment. Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of over $13 billion, 68,000 employees, and nearly 50 manufacturing and technology research centers around the globe. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Brastemp, Bauknecht, Consul and other major brand names to consumers in more than 170 countries. Additional information about the company can be found on the Internet at www.whirlpoolcorp.com . This news release contains forward-looking statements that speak only as of this date. The company disclaims any obligation to update such information. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected earnings per share, cash flow, and material costs for the full year 2005, as well as the expected consequences of enacted price increases. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) the cost of raw materials and components, especially steel and the impact of rising oil prices; (2) the financial impact of the Company's announced price increases will be dependent upon such factors as the strength of the Company's brands in the market place, the strength of consumer demand for the Company's products, and other factors outside of the Company's control such as the general economic conditions prevailing at the time the new pricing goes into effect; (3) rising worldwide transportation costs due to historically high and volatile oil prices, capacity constraints, and other factors; (4) the ability to gain or maintain market share in an intensely competitive global market; (5) the success of the Company's global strategy to develop brand differentiation and brand loyalty; (6) the Company's global operating platform initiatives; (7) the success of the Latin American businesses operating in challenging and volatile environments; (8) continuation of the Company's strong relationship with Sears Holdings Corporation in North America, which accounted for approximately 17% of consolidated net sales of $13 billion in 2004; (9) currency exchange rate fluctuations; (10) social, economic and political volatility in developing markets; (11) continuing uncertainty in the North American, Latin American, Asian and European economies; (12) the effectiveness of the series of restructuring actions the Company has announced and/or completed through 2004; (13) U.S. interest rates; (14) new Asian competitors; (15) changes to the obligations as presented in the contractual obligations table; (16) changes in the funded position of the U.S. pension plans; (17) continued strength of the U.S. builder industry; (18) the threat of terrorist activities or the impact of war; (19) the Company's estimate of its annual effective tax rate of approximately 31.7%; and (20) the success of the Company's proposal to acquire Maytag Corporation and, if the acquisition is completed, the Company's ability to realize expected benefits. This material is not a substitute for the prospectus/proxy statement Whirlpool and Maytag would file with the Securities and Exchange Commission if a definitive agreement with Maytag is reached. Investors are urged to read any such prospectus/proxy statement, when available, which would contain important information. The prospectus/proxy statement would be, and other documents filed by Whirlpool and Maytag with the Securities and Exchange Commission are, available free of charge at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) or from Whirlpool by directing a request to Whirlpool Corporation, 2000 North M-63, Mail Drop 2800, Benton Harbor, MI 49022-2692, Attention: Larry Venturelli, Vice President Investor Relations. Whirlpool is not currently engaged in a solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Maytag in connection with Whirlpool's proposed acquisition of Maytag. If a proxy solicitation commences, Whirlpool, Maytag and their respective directors, executive officers, and other employees may be deemed to be participants in such solicitation. Information about Whirlpool's directors and executive officers is available in Whirlpool's proxy statement, dated March 18, 2005, for its 2005 annual meeting of stockholders. Additional information about the interests of potential participants will be included in the prospectus/proxy statement Whirlpool and Maytag would file if a definitive agreement with Maytag is reached. # # # -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----