Form 10-K

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

  x  

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

        

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008

OR

 

  ¨  

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

        

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-3932

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   38-1490038
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2000 North M-63, Benton Harbor, Michigan   49022-2692
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (269) 923-5000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock, par value $1.00 per share

  Chicago Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange

7 3/4% Debentures due 2016

  New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)

 

        Large Accelerated Filer x                                                                              Accelerated Filer ¨                  
        Non-Accelerated Filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller Reporting Company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

The aggregate market value of the voting stock of the registrant held by stockholders not including voting stock held by directors and executive officers of the registrant and certain employee plans of the registrant (the exclusion of such shares shall not be deemed an admission by the registrant that any such person is an affiliate of the registrant) at the close of business on June 30, 2008 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $4,463,875,204.

On February 13, 2009, the registrant had 73,550,839 shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the following documents are incorporated herein by reference into the Part of the Form 10-K indicated:

 

Document

 

Part of Form 10-K into

which incorporated

The registrant’s proxy statement for the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”)

  Part III

 

 

 


PART I

ITEM 1.    Business.

Whirlpool Corporation, the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, was incorporated in 1955 under the laws of Delaware as the successor to a business that traces its origin to 1898. Whirlpool manufactures products in 12 countries under 13 principal brand names and markets products in nearly every country around the world. Whirlpool’s geographic segments consist of North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately 70,000 employees.

As used herein, and except where the context otherwise requires, “Whirlpool,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Whirlpool Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Products and Markets

Whirlpool manufactures and markets a full line of major appliances and related products, primarily for home use. Our principal products are laundry appliances, refrigerators, cooking appliances, dishwashers, and mixers and other small household appliances. We also produce hermetic compressors for refrigeration systems.

For each class of products which accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated net sales over the last three years, the following table lists the total net sales of each class.

 

      Percent in
2008
   Year ended December 31 (millions of dollars)

Class of Similar Products

          2008            2007            2006    

Home Laundry Appliances

   30%    $ 5,760    $ 5,678    $ 5,474

Home Refrigerators and Freezers

   31%      5,825      5,833      5,341

Home Cooking Appliances

   17%      3,128      2,995      2,909

Other

   22%      4,194      4,902      4,356
                         

Net Sales

   100%    $ 18,907    $ 19,408    $ 18,080
                         

In North America, Whirlpool markets and distributes major home appliances and portable appliances under a variety of brand names. In the United States, we market and distribute products under the Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Roper, Estate, Admiral, Magic Chef, Amana, and Inglis brand names primarily to retailers, distributors, and builders. In Canada, we market and distribute major home appliances under the Inglis, Admiral, Whirlpool, Maytag, Jenn-Air, Magic Chef, Amana, Roper, Estate, and KitchenAid brand names. In Mexico, we market and distribute major home appliances under the Whirlpool, Maytag, Acros, KitchenAid, and Supermatic brand names. We sell some products to other manufacturers, distributors, and retailers for resale in North America under those manufacturers’ and retailers’ respective brand names. We have manufacturing facilities in the United States and Mexico.

Whirlpool is a major supplier to Sears of laundry, refrigerator, dishwasher, and trash compactor home appliances. Sears markets some of the products that we supply to them under its Kenmore brand name. Sears is also a major outlet for our Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, and Amana brand products. In 2008, approximately 11% of our consolidated net sales were attributable to sales to Sears. More information regarding Whirlpool’s relationship with Sears can be found under the caption “Forward-Looking Perspective” in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” contained in the Financial Supplement to this Report.

In Europe, we market and distribute our major home appliances under the Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, Bauknecht, Ignis, Laden, and Polar brand names, and major and portable appliances under the KitchenAid brand name. In addition to our extensive operations in Western Europe, we have sales subsidiaries in Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Croatia, Morocco, and Turkey, with representative offices in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro. Whirlpool markets a full line of products under the Whirlpool, KIC, and Ignis brand names in South Africa.

 

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Whirlpool’s European operations also sell products carrying the Whirlpool, Bauknecht, and Ignis brand names to distributors and dealers in Africa and the Middle East. Whirlpool has manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, and Sweden.

In Latin America, we market and distribute our major home appliances under the Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Brastemp, Consul, and Eslabon de Lujo brand names. We manage appliance sales and distribution in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru through our Brazilian subsidiary, and in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay through our distributors. We manage appliance sales and distribution in Central American countries, the Caribbean, Venezuela, Colombia, Guatemala, and Ecuador through our Brazilian subsidiary and through distributors. In Latin America, Whirlpool has manufacturing facilities in Brazil.

In Asia, we have organized the marketing and distribution of our major home appliances into five operating groups: (1) China, which includes mainland China; (2) Hong Kong and Taiwan; (3) India, which includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan; (4) Oceania, which includes Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands; and (5) Southeast Asia, which includes Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Korea, and Japan. We market and sell our products in Asia under the Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, and Jenn-Air brand names by a combination of direct sales to appliance retailers and chain stores and through full-service distributors to a large network of retail stores. In Asia, we have manufacturing facilities in China and India.

Competition

Competition in the home appliance industry is intense. In addition to traditional competitors such as Electrolux, GE, and Kenmore, there are expanding foreign competitors such as LG, Bosch Siemens, Samsung, Fisher & Paykel, and Haier. Moreover, the U.S. customer base is characterized by large, sophisticated trade customers who have many choices and demand competitive products, services, and prices. In most major markets throughout the world, 2008 was a challenging year with continued rising costs in the areas of metals, oil-based materials, such as resins, and transportation. In addition, in 2008 we experienced significant macroeconomic challenges including instability in the financial markets. These challenges have impacted the global economy, the capital markets, our operating costs and global demand for our products. Competition in our markets is based upon a wide variety of factors, including cost, selling price, distribution, performance, innovation, product features, quality, and other financial incentives. These financial incentives include cooperative advertising, co-marketing funds, sales person incentives, volume rebates, and terms. We believe that we can best compete in the current environment by increasing productivity, improving quality, lowering costs, focusing on research and development including introducing new products through innovation, building strong brands, enhancing trade customer and consumer value with our product offerings, continuing to expand our global footprint, expanding trade distribution channels, and taking other efficiency-enhancing measures.

Other Information

We are generally not dependent upon any one source for raw materials or purchased components essential to our business. In areas where a single supplier is used, alternative sources are generally available and can be developed within the normal manufacturing environment. Some unanticipated costs may be incurred in transitioning to a new supplier if a prior single supplier relationship was abruptly interrupted or terminated. There has been continued significant cost pressure in some areas, such as metals and oil-based materials, during most of the year. In the later part of the year, costs in most of these areas started to show signs of relief. We believe such raw materials and components will be available in adequate quantities to meet anticipated production schedules.

The patents we presently own are considered, in the aggregate, to be valuable. Also, Whirlpool is the owner of a number of trademarks in the U.S. and foreign countries. The most important trademarks that we own in North America are Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Estate, Roper, Admiral, Amana, Jenn-Air, and Acros. The

 

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most important trademarks that we own in Europe are Whirlpool, Bauknecht, and Ignis. In Latin America, the most important trademarks that we own are Whirlpool, Brastemp, and Consul. The most important trademark that we own in Asia is Whirlpool. We receive royalties from licensing our trademarks to third parties to sell and service certain products bearing the Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Amana, and Magic Chef brand names.

Expenditures for Whirlpool-sponsored research and development relating to new products and the improvement of existing products were approximately $436 million in 2008, $421 million in 2007, and $375 million in 2006.

Our manufacturing facilities are subject to numerous laws and regulations designed to protect or enhance the environment, many of which require federal, state, or other governmental licenses and permits with regard to wastewater discharges, air emissions, and hazardous waste management. Our policy is to comply with all such laws and regulations. Where laws and regulations are less restrictive, we have established and are following our own standards consistent with our commitment to environmental responsibility.

We believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable federal, state, local, and other governmental provisions relating to environmental protection in the countries in which we have manufacturing operations. Compliance with these environmental laws and regulations has not had a material effect on capital expenditures, earnings, or our competitive position. Capital expenditures and expenses for manufacturing operations directly attributable to compliance with these environmental provisions worldwide amounted to approximately $31 million in 2008, $28 million in 2007 and $33 million in 2006. We estimate that in 2009, environmental capital expenditures and expenses for manufacturing operations will be approximately $32 million. Capital expenditures and expenses for product related environmental activities were not material in any of the past three years and are not expected to be material in 2009.

The entire major home appliance industry, including Whirlpool, must contend with the adoption of stricter governmental energy and environmental standards. These standards will be phased in over the next several years and include the general phase-out of ozone depleting chemicals used in refrigeration, energy standards rulemakings for selected major appliances, regulatory restrictions on the materials content specified for use in our products by some jurisdictions, and mandated recycling of our products at the end of their useful lives. Compliance with these various standards, as they become effective, will require some product redesign. However, we believe, based on our understanding of the current state of proposed regulations, that we will be able to develop, manufacture, and market products that comply with these regulations.

State and federal environmental protection agencies have notified us of our possible involvement in a number of “Superfund” sites in the United States. However, based upon our evaluation of the facts and circumstances relating to these sites along with the evaluation of our technical consultants, we do not presently anticipate any material adverse effect upon our earnings, financial condition, or competitive position arising out of the resolution of these matters or the resolution of any other known governmental proceeding regarding environmental protection matters.

For information about the challenges and risks associated with our foreign operations, see “Risks Relating to Our Business” under Item 1A below.

For certain other financial information concerning our business segments and foreign and domestic operations, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Financial Supplement to this report.

For information on our global restructuring plans, see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Financial Supplement to this report.

For information on product recalls, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Financial Supplement to this report.

 

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Maytag Acquisition

On March 31, 2006, we completed our acquisition of Maytag. The aggregate purchase price for Maytag was approximately $1.9 billion, including approximately $848 million of cash and approximately 9.7 million shares of Whirlpool common stock. Maytag had consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2005 of approximately $4.9 billion. With the acquisition, Whirlpool added an array of home appliance brands including Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, and Admiral. We are realizing cost savings from all areas across the value chain including product manufacturing and marketing, global procurement, logistics, infrastructure and support areas, product research and development, and asset utilization. In 2007, we completed the sale of all Maytag adjacent businesses which were not part of the core appliance business.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table sets forth the names and ages of our executive officers on February 11, 2009, the positions and offices they held on that date, and the year they first became executive officers:

 

Name

  

Office

   First Became
an Executive
Officer
   Age

Jeff M. Fettig

   Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer    1994    51

Michael A. Todman

   Director and President, Whirlpool North America    2001    51

Marc R. Bitzer

   Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Operations    2006    44

Bracken Darrell

   Executive Vice President and President, Whirlpool Europe    2009    46

Jose A. Drummond

   Executive Vice President and President, Whirlpool S.A.    2008    44

Paulo F. M. Periquito

   President, Whirlpool International    1997    62

David T. Szczupak

   Executive Vice President, Global Product Organization    2008    53

Roy W. Templin

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer    2004    48

Each of the executive officers named above was elected to serve in the office indicated until the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of stockholders in 2009 and until his successor is chosen and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. Each of our executive officers has held the position set forth in the table above or has served Whirlpool in various executive or administrative capacities for at least the past five years, except for Mr. Szczupak and Mr. Darrell. Prior to joining Whirlpool in July of 2008, Mr. Szczupak for the previous two years served as Chief Operating Officer of Dura Automotive Systems, Inc. and before joining Dura in 2006, worked for Ford Motor Company for 22 years in various leadership roles. Mr. Darrell, prior to joining Whirlpool in September 2008, for the previous six years held various executive positions with The Procter & Gamble Company, the most recent being President of Braun, a Procter & Gamble division.

Available Information

Financial results and investor information (including Whirlpool’s Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports) are accessible at Whirlpool’s website: www.whirlpoolcorp.com—click on “Investors” and then click on “SEC Filings.” Copies of our Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports, as well as amendments to them, are available free of charge through our website on the same day they are filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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ITEM 1A.    Risk Factors.

This report contains statements referring to Whirlpool that are not historical facts and are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which are intended to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, are based on current projections about operations, industry conditions, financial condition and liquidity. Words that identify forward-looking statements include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “may impact,” “on track,” and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance, a merger, or our businesses. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Those statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results could differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Risks Relating to Our Business

Changes in economic conditions could adversely affect demand for our products. A number of economic factors, including, but not limited to, gross domestic product, availability of consumer credit, interest rates, consumer confidence and debt levels, retail trends, housing starts, sales of existing homes, the level of mortgage refinancing, and foreign currency exchange rates, generally affect demand for our products. Higher unemployment rates, higher fuel and other energy costs, and higher tax rates adversely affect demand. The decline in economic activity and conditions in the United States and the other markets in which we operate has, and may continue to, adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations for the foreseeable future.

The global financial crisis could adversely affect our business and financial performance. The ongoing global financial crisis has tightened credit markets and lowered liquidity levels. Lower credit availability may increase borrowing costs. Some of our suppliers are experiencing serious financial problems due to reduced access to credit and lower revenues. Financial duress may prompt some of our suppliers to seek to renegotiate supply terms with us, reduce production or file for bankruptcy protection. Our customers may be unable to obtain financing to purchase products and meet their payment obligations to us. In addition, the financial crisis could result in the insolvency of one or more of our customers. The occurrence of any or all of these events may adversely affect our operations, earnings, cash flows and/or financial position.

The loss of or substantial decline in sales to any of our key trade customers, which include Sears, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Casas Bahia, Best Buy, Ikea, major buying groups, and builders, could adversely affect our financial performance. We sell to a sophisticated customer base of large trade customers that have significant leverage as buyers over their suppliers. Most of our products are not sold through long-term contracts, which facilitates the trade customers’ ability to change volume among suppliers. As the trade customers continue to become larger, they may seek to use their position to improve their profitability by various means, including improved efficiency, lower pricing, and increased promotional programs. If we are unable to meet their requirements, our volume growth and financial results could be negatively affected. We have been a major supplier of home appliances to Sears for many years. In 2008, 2007, and 2006, approximately 11%, 12% and 14%, respectively, of our consolidated net sales were attributable to sales to Sears of OEM and Whirlpool brand products. The loss of, or substantial decline in volume of, sales to Sears, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Casas Bahia, Best Buy, Ikea, major buying groups or builders, or any other trade customers to which we sell a significant amount of products, could adversely affect our financial performance. Additionally, if these trade customers lose market share, this loss could negatively impact our financial performance.

We face intense competition in the home appliance industry and failure to successfully compete may negatively affect our business and financial performance. Each of our business segments operates in a highly

 

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competitive business environment and faces intense competition from a growing number of competitors, many of which have strong consumer brand equity. Several of these competitors, such as LG, Samsung, Bosch Siemens and General Electric are large, well-established companies that rank among the Global Fortune 150 and have demonstrated a commitment to success in the global market. Competition in the global market is based on a number of factors including performance, innovation, product features and design, quality, cost, selling price, distribution, and financial incentives, such as cooperative advertising, co-marketing funds, sales person incentives, volume rebates, and terms. In the past, our competitors, especially global competitors with low-cost sources of supply outside the United States, have aggressively priced their products and/or introduced new products in order to increase market share. If we are unable to successfully compete in this highly competitive environment, our business and financial performance could be negatively affected.

Foreign currency fluctuations may affect our financial performance. We generate a significant portion of our revenue and incur a significant portion of our expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Changes in the exchange rates of functional currencies of those operations affect the U.S. dollar value of our revenue and earnings from our foreign operations. Recent extreme volatility in the foreign exchange markets has increased our risk. We use currency forwards and options to manage our foreign currency transaction exposures. We cannot completely eliminate our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations, which may adversely affect our financial performance. In addition, because our consolidated financial results are reported in dollars, if we generate sales or earnings in other currencies the translation of those results into dollars can result in a significant increase or decrease in the amount of those sales or earnings.

Litigation may adversely affect us. We face an inherent business risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the use of any of our products results in personal injury or property damage. In the event that any of our products proves to be defective, we may need to recall or redesign such products. There can be no guarantee that insurance coverage against certain product liability claims will continue to be available on acceptable terms or that such coverage will be adequate for liabilities we incur. We also face certain class action litigation regarding allegedly defective products that insurance does not cover. A successful claim in excess of, or outside of, our available insurance coverage may have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. In addition, any claim or product recall that results in significant adverse publicity may negatively affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

We regularly engage in investigations of potential quality and safety issues as part of our ongoing effort to deliver quality products to our customers. We are currently investigating a limited number of potential quality and safety issues, including a supplier-related quality and potential product safety problem that may affect 1 million appliances manufactured between 2001 and 2003. Actual costs of these issues and any future issues depend upon several factors, including the number of consumers who respond to a particular recall, repair and administrative costs, whether the cost of any corrective action is borne initially by Whirlpool or the supplier, and, if initially borne by Whirlpool, whether we will be successful in recovering our costs from the supplier. The actual costs incurred as a result of these issues and any future issues could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

An inability to effectively execute and manage our business objectives could adversely affect our financial performance. The highly competitive nature of our industry requires that we effectively execute and manage our business including our global operating platform initiative. Our global operating platform initiative aims to reduce costs, drive productivity and quality improvements, and accelerate our rate of innovation. Our inability to effectively control costs and drive productivity improvements could affect our profits. In addition, our failure to provide high-quality, innovative products could adversely affect our ability to maintain or increase our sales. If we failed in this way, it could negatively affect our revenues and overall financial performance. Additionally, our success is dependent on anticipating changes in customer preferences and on successful new product and process development and product relaunches in response to such changes. Our future results and our ability to maintain or improve our competitive position will depend on our capacity to gauge the direction of our key markets and upon our ability to successfully and timely identify, develop, manufacture, market, and sell new or improved products in these changing markets.

 

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Fluctuations and volatility in the cost of raw materials and purchased components could adversely affect our profits. The primary materials used to produce and manufacture our products are steel, oil, plastic resins, and base metals, such as aluminum, copper, zinc, and nickel. On a global and regional basis, the sources and prices of those materials and components are susceptible to significant price fluctuations due to supply/demand trends, transportation costs, government regulations and tariffs, changes in currency exchange rates, price controls, the economic climate, and other unforeseen circumstances. Material cost inflation is expected to be approximately $200 million in 2009, largely driven by increases in base metals, such as copper, aluminum, zinc and nickel, as well as component parts and steel. Continued significant increases in these and other costs in the future could materially affect our profits.

The ability of suppliers to deliver parts, components and manufacturing equipment to our manufacturing facilities, including our ability to manufacture without disruption, could affect our global business performance. We use a wide range of materials and components in the global production of our products and use numerous suppliers to provide materials and components. We generally do not have guaranteed supply arrangements with our suppliers and some key parts may be available only from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. Our operations and operations at suppliers’ facilities are subject to disruption for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, work stoppages, fire, earthquake, flooding, or other natural disasters. Such disruption could interrupt our ability to manufacture certain products. Any significant disruption could negatively impact our revenue and earnings performance.

Significant differences between actual results and estimates of the amount of future funding for our pension plans and postretirement health care benefit programs, and significant changes in funding assumptions or significant increases in funding obligations due to regulatory changes, could adversely affect our financial results. We have both funded and unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plans that cover most of our North American employees and certain foreign employees. We also have unfunded postretirement health care benefit plans for eligible retired employees. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code govern the funding obligations for our U.S. pension plans, which are our principal pension plans. Our U.S. defined benefit plans were frozen as of December 31, 2006 for substantially all participants. For 2007 and beyond, Whirlpool employees may participate in an enhanced defined contribution plan.

As of December 31, 2008, our projected benefit obligations under our pension plans and postretirement health care benefit programs exceeded the fair value of plan assets by an aggregate of approximately $2,425 million ($1,521 million of which was attributable to pension plans and $904 million of which was attributable to postretirement health care benefits). Estimates for the amount and timing of the future funding obligations of these pension plans and postretirement health care benefit plans are based on various assumptions. These assumptions include the discount rates, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and health care cost trend rates. These assumptions are subject to change based on interest rates on high quality bonds, stock and bond market returns, and health care cost trend rates. Significant differences in results or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect our postretirement obligations and related future contributions and expense.

Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect them could reduce the value of our products, services, and brands. We consider our intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing agreements, to be a significant and valuable aspect of our business. We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret laws, as well as licensing agreements and third party nondisclosure and assignment agreements. Our failure to obtain or adequately protect our trademarks, products, new features of our products, or our processes may diminish our competitiveness.

We have applied for patent protection in the United States and other jurisdictions with respect to certain innovations and new products, product features, and processes. We cannot be assured that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or any other jurisdiction will approve any of our patent applications. Additionally, the patents we own could be challenged, invalidated, or others could design around our patents and the patents may not be of

 

8


sufficient scope or strength to provide us with any meaningful protection or commercial advantage. Further, the laws of certain foreign countries in which we do business or contemplate doing business in the future do not recognize intellectual property rights or protect them to the same extent as United States law. As a result, these factors could weaken our competitive advantage with respect to our products, services, and brands in foreign jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our financial performance.

Moreover, while we do not believe that any of our products infringe the valid intellectual property rights of third parties, others may assert intellectual property rights that cover some of our technology, brands, products, or services. Any litigation regarding patents or other intellectual property could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. Claims of intellectual property infringement might also require us to enter into costly license agreements. We also may be subject to significant damages or injunctions against development and sale of certain products.

If we cannot manage the additional challenges of our international operations, our financial performance may suffer. For the year ended December 31, 2008, we derived approximately 43% of our net sales from outside of North America (which includes Canada and Mexico), including 21% in Europe, 19% in Latin America, and 3% in Asia. We expect that international sales will continue to account for a significant percentage of our net sales in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, we face numerous risks associated with conducting international operations, any of which could negatively affect our financial performance. These risks include the following:

 

   

changes in foreign country regulatory requirements;

 

   

various import/export restrictions and the availability of required import/export licenses;

 

   

imposition of foreign tariffs and other trade barriers;

 

   

political, legal, and economic instability;

 

   

foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

   

inflation;

 

   

work stoppages and disruptions in the shipping of imported and exported products;

 

   

government price controls;

 

   

extended payment terms and the ability to collect accounts receivable; and

 

   

the ability to repatriate cash.

Additionally, we are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage to foreign companies that are not subject to similar regulations.

Terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, natural disasters, and epidemics could affect our domestic and international sales, disrupt our supply chain, and impair our ability to produce and deliver our products. Such events could directly impact our physical facilities or those of our suppliers or customers, both in the United States and elsewhere.

We are subject to, and could be further subject to, governmental investigations or actions by other third parties. We are subject to various federal, foreign and state laws, including antitrust laws, violations of which can involve civil or criminal sanctions. On February 17, 2009, we received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice requesting documents relating to an antitrust investigation of the global compressor industry. Whirlpool subsidiaries in Brazil and Italy were visited on the same day by competition authorities seeking similar information. This investigation, or additional claims or investigations by private plaintiffs or other governmental agencies, could adversely affect our business. In 2008, sales of compressors represented approximately 6% of our global net sales.

A deterioration in labor relations could negatively impact our global business. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately 70,000 employees. Of those employees, various labor unions with separate collective

 

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bargaining agreements represent approximately 60%. Our current collective bargaining agreements generally have three year terms. Due to the large number of collective bargaining agreements, we are periodically in negotiations with certain of the unions representing our employees. We cannot be assured that at some point we will not be subject to employee work stoppages and, if such events were to occur, that there would not be a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Further, we cannot be assured that we will be able to renew the various collective bargaining agreements on the same or similar terms, or at all, which could also affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Our ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees is crucial to our results of operations and future growth. We depend upon the continued services and performance of our key executives, senior management and skilled personnel, particularly our professionals with experience in our business and operations and the home appliance industry. We cannot be sure that any of these individuals will continue to be employed by us. A lengthy period of time is required to hire and develop replacement personnel when skilled personnel depart Whirlpool. An inability to hire, develop and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees could materially hinder our business by, for example, delaying our ability to bring new products to market or impairing the success of our operations.

Environmental and health and safety laws and regulations may adversely affect Whirlpool. We are subject to various laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety. We incur and will continue to incur capital and other expenditures to comply with these regulations. These types of costs could negatively affect our financial performance. Additionally, we could be subjected to future liabilities, fines or penalties or the suspension of product production for failing to comply with environmental regulations. Cleanup obligations that might arise at any of our manufacturing sites or the imposition of more stringent environmental laws in the future could adversely affect us.

ITEM 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

ITEM 2.    Properties.

Our principal executive offices are located in Benton Harbor, Michigan. On December 31, 2008, our principal manufacturing operations were carried on at 40 locations worldwide, 27 of which are located in 11 countries outside the United States, primarily in the Europe region, and to a lesser extent in Asia, Latin America, and Mexico. Whirlpool occupied a total of approximately 69.4 million square feet devoted to manufacturing, service, administrative offices, warehouse, distribution, and sales space. Over 31.9 million square feet of such space is occupied under lease. In general, all facilities are well maintained, suitably equipped, and in good operating condition.

ITEM 3.    Legal Proceedings.

Information with respect to legal proceedings can be found under the heading “Legal Contingencies” in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Financial Supplement to this report.

ITEM 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders in the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

10


PART II

ITEM 5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Whirlpool’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange. As of February 13, 2009, the number of holders of record of Whirlpool common stock was approximately 14,456.

High, low, and closing sales prices (as reported on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape) for Whirlpool’s common stock for each quarter during the years 2008 and 2007 are set forth below:

 

Market Price

   High    Low    Close

4Q2008

   $ 83.05    $ 30.19    $ 41.35

3Q2008

   $ 91.87    $ 58.22    $ 79.29

2Q2008

   $ 92.59    $ 61.73    $ 61.73

1Q2008

   $ 98.00    $ 67.19    $ 86.78

4Q2007

   $ 94.89    $ 72.15    $ 81.63

3Q2007

   $ 116.79    $ 72.10    $ 89.10

2Q2007

   $ 118.00    $ 84.17    $ 111.20

1Q2007

   $ 96.77    $ 83.21    $ 84.91

Cash dividends declared on Whirlpool common stock for each quarter during the years 2008 and 2007 are set forth in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Financial Supplement to this report.

During the March 2008 quarter, Whirlpool purchased approximately 1.1 million shares of Whirlpool common stock under a $500 million share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors on June 15, 2004. At March 31, 2008, there were no remaining funds authorized under this program.

On April 23, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $500 million. Share repurchases are made from time to time on the open market as conditions warrant. During 2008, we repurchased 1.9 million shares at an aggregate purchase price of $150 million under this program. There were no repurchases during the December 2008 quarter. At December 31, 2008, there were $350 million remaining funds authorized under this program.

ITEM 6.    Selected Financial Data.

The selected financial data for the five years ended December 31, 2008 with respect to the following line items are shown under the “Five Year Selected Financial Data” contained in the Financial Supplement to this report: total net sales, earnings from continuing operations, earnings from continuing operations per share of common stock, dividends declared per share of common stock, total assets, and long-term debt. See the material incorporated herein by reference in response to Item 7 of this report for a discussion of the effects on such data of business combinations and other acquisitions, disposition and restructuring activity, accounting changes, earnings of foreign affiliates, and other significant activity impacting or affecting the comparability of reported amounts.

ITEM 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” contained in the Financial Supplement to this report.

 

11


ITEM 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Information with respect to market risk can be found under the caption “Market Risk” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” contained in the Financial Supplement to this report.

ITEM 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Whirlpool’s Consolidated Financial Statements are contained in the Financial Supplement to this report. Supplementary financial information regarding quarterly results of operations (unaudited) for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 is set forth in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. For a list of financial statements and schedules filed as part of this report, see the Table of Contents to the Financial Supplement to this report on page F-1.

ITEM 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

ITEM 9A.    Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure controls and procedures. Whirlpool maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Whirlpool’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Prior to filing this report, we completed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of Whirlpool management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2008. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2008.

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, we included a report of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as part of this report. Management’s report is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Financial Supplement to this report under the caption entitled “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” and is incorporated herein by reference.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.    Other Information.

There was no information required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2008 that was not previously reported.

 

12


PART III

ITEM 10.    Directors, and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

Information regarding our executive officers is included in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

Information regarding the background of the directors, matters related to the Audit Committee, and Section 16(a) compliance can be found under the captions “Directors and Nominees for Election as Directors,” “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance—Audit Committee,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

There have been no material changes to the procedures through which stockholders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors since March 3, 2008, which is the date of our last proxy statement.

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer (controller). The text of our code of ethics is posted on our website: www.whirlpoolcorp.com—scroll over the “Responsibility” dropdown menu and click on “Governance,” then scroll down to the “Whirlpool Corporation Code of Ethics” section. Whirlpool intends to disclose future amendments to, or waivers from, certain provisions of the code of ethics for executive officers and directors on the website within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver. Stockholders may request a free copy of the code of ethics from:

Greg Fritz

Investor Relations

Whirlpool Corporation

2000 North M-63

Mail Drop 2800

Benton Harbor, MI 49022-2692

Telephone: (269) 923-2641

Whirlpool has also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines and written charters for its Audit, Finance, Human Resources and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees, all of which are posted on our website: www.whirlpoolcorp.com—scroll over the “Responsibility” dropdown menu and then over “Governance,” click on “Board of Directors,” and then click on “Board of Directors Committee Charters.” Stockholders may request a free copy of the charters and guidelines from the address or telephone number set forth above.

ITEM 11.    Executive Compensation.

Information with respect to compensation of our executive officers and directors can be found under the captions “Nonemployee Director Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Human Resources Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” and “Executive Compensation Tables” in the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference. See also the information under the caption “Human Resources Committee Report” in the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference; however, such information is only “furnished” hereunder and not deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

ITEM 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

Information with respect to the security ownership of any person that we know to beneficially own more than 5% of Whirlpool stock and by each Whirlpool director, each Whirlpool named executive officer, and all directors and executive officers as a group, can be found under the captions “Security Ownership” and “Beneficial Ownership” in the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

13


Information relating to securities authorized under equity compensation plans can be found under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions can be found under the caption “Related Person Transactions” in the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.    Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

Information relating to our auditors and the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies can be found under the caption “Matters Relating to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

ITEM 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

1. The financial statements and related notes, and reports of management and the independent registered public accounting firm, listed in the Table of Contents to the Financial Supplement to this report. Individual financial statements of the registrant’s affiliated foreign companies, accounted for by the equity method, have been omitted since no such company individually constitutes a significant subsidiary.

2. “Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts” contained in the Financial Supplement to this report. Certain schedules for which provisions are made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.

3. The exhibits listed in the “Exhibit Index” attached to this report.

 

14


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

(Registrant)

   
By:  

/S/    ROY W. TEMPLIN        

    February 19, 2009
 

Roy W. Templin

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

     

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

   

/s/    JEFF M. FETTIG        

Jeff M. Fettig

  

Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

    (Principal Executive Officer)

 

MICHAEL A. TODMAN*

Michael A. Todman

  

Director and President, Whirlpool North America

 

/S/    ROY W. TEMPLIN        

Roy W. Templin

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    (Principal Financial Officer)

 

ANTHONY B. PETITT*

Anthony B. Petitt

  

Vice President and Controller

    (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

HERMAN CAIN*

Herman Cain

  

Director

 

GARY T. DICAMILLO*

Gary T. DiCamillo

  

Director

 

KATHLEEN J. HEMPEL*

Kathleen J. Hempel

  

Director

 

MICHAEL F. JOHNSTON*

Michael F. Johnston

  

Director

 

WILLIAM T. KERR*

William T. Kerr

  

Director

 

ARNOLD G. LANGBO*

Arnold G. Langbo

  

Director

 

MILES L. MARSH*

Miles L. Marsh

  

Director

 

 

15


Signature

  

Title

   

PAUL G. STERN*

Paul G. Stern

  

Director

 

JANICE D. STONEY*

Janice D. Stoney

  

Director

 

MICHAEL D. WHITE*

Michael D. White

  

Director

 
*By:  

/S/    JEFF M. FETTIG        

Jeff M. Fettig

  

Attorney-in-Fact

 

February 19, 2009

 

16


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Financial Supplement

to 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and

to 2009 Proxy Statement

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   F-2

Consolidated Statements of Income

   F-19

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   F-20

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   F-21

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

   F-22

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-23

Five-Year Selected Financial Data

   F-55

Report by Management on the Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-56

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

   F-57

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-58

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

   F-59

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

   F-60

 

F-1


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management Discussion and Analysis should be read in connection with the Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Selected Financial Data included in this Financial Supplement to the Form 10-K. Also, certain references to particular information in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are made to assist readers.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool”) is the world’s leading manufacturer of major home appliances with revenues of $18.9 billion and net earnings of $418 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. We are a leading producer of major home appliances in North America and Latin America and have a significant presence in markets throughout Europe and India. We have received worldwide recognition for accomplishments in a variety of business and social efforts, including leadership, diversity, innovative product design, business ethics, social responsibility and community involvement. We conduct our business through four reportable segments, which we define based on geography. Our reportable segments consist of North America (57% of revenue), Europe (21% of revenue), Latin America (19% of revenue), and Asia (3% of revenue).

Our global branded consumer products strategy over the past several years has been to introduce innovative new products, increase brand customer loyalty, expand our presence in foreign markets, enhance our trade management platform, improve total cost and quality by expanding and leveraging our global operating platform and where appropriate, make strategic acquisitions and investments.

We monitor country-specific economic factors such as gross domestic product, consumer confidence, retail trends, housing starts and completions, sales of existing homes and mortgage interest rates as key indicators of industry demand. In addition to profitability, we also focus on country, brand, product and channel sales when assessing and forecasting financial results.

During 2008, we experienced significant macroeconomic challenges including instability in the financial markets. These challenges have impacted the global economy, the capital markets, our operating costs and global demand for our products. The results of these challenges include continued higher material and oil-related costs, liquidity strain on our suppliers, decreased consumer confidence and reduced consumer discretionary spending. We expect these conditions to continue in the foreseeable future.

Competition in the home appliance industry is intense in all global markets we serve. In addition to our traditional competitors such as Electrolux, GE, and Kenmore in North America, there has been an emergence of strong global competitors such as LG, Bosch Siemens, Samsung, and Haier. In each geographic region, our customer base is consolidated and characterized by large, sophisticated trade customers who have many choices and demand for competitive products, services and prices. We believe that our acquisition of Maytag Corporation (“Maytag”) on March 31, 2006, coupled with productivity and cost controls, new innovative product introductions, and improved product price/mix will enhance our ability to respond to these competitive conditions.

FACTORS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY

On March 31, 2006, we completed the acquisition of Maytag. Maytag’s reported consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2005 were approximately $4.9 billion. With the acquisition, we added an array of home appliance brands including Maytag, Jenn-Air and Amana. The aggregate purchase price for Maytag was approximately $1.9 billion, including approximately $848 million of cash and approximately 9.7 million shares of common stock. The results of Maytag’s operations have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements as of April 1, 2006.

 

F-2


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

During 2007 and 2006, we completed certain divestitures associated with businesses acquired with the Maytag acquisition. For additional information about discontinued operations, see Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the year ended December 31, 2008, consolidated net sales were $18.9 billion. Consolidated net earnings from continuing operations were $418 million, or $5.50 per diluted share, decreasing from $647 million or $8.10 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease in net sales and earnings reflects lower appliance industry demand resulting primarily from weaker economies within our North America and Europe regions and higher material and oil-related costs. We experienced a 10.4% and 2.0% decrease in unit sales during 2008 in North America and Europe, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by improved product price/mix. Our results included $60 million of gains associated with asset sales in 2008, compared to $72 million of asset sale gains in the previous year.

Despite the above mentioned global economic challenges, particularly impacting our international business in the second half of 2008, sales from our international businesses were higher in 2008 compared to the prior year driven primarily by an increase in units sold, improved product price/mix and favorable foreign currency.

Consolidated Net Sales

The table below summarizes by region consolidated net sales and units sold:

 

Millions of dollars

       2008             Change             2007             Change            2006      

Consolidated Net Sales

           

North America

   $ 10,781     (8.1)%     $ 11,735     0.8%    $ 11,642  

Europe

     4,016     4.4       3,848     12.1      3,432  

Latin America

     3,704     7.8       3,437     27.7      2,692  

Asia

     593     6.5       557     21.9      457  

Other/Eliminations

     (187 )         (169 )        (143 )
                             

Consolidated

   $ 18,907     (2.6 )   $ 19,408     7.3    $ 18,080  
                             

In thousands

       2008             Change             2007             Change            2006      

Units Sold

           

North America

     27,210     (10.4)%       30,352     (6.4)%      32,413  

Europe

     13,365     (2.0 )     13,641     3.5      13,177  

Latin America

     8,777     5.7       8,303     18.8      6,987  

Asia

     2,703     5.7       2,558     9.0      2,346  

Other/Eliminations

     (1 )         (3 )        (42 )
                             

Consolidated

     52,054     (5.1 )     54,851          54,881  
                             

Consolidated net sales decreased 2.6% compared to 2007 due mainly to lower unit shipments, which were partially offset by a favorable impact of foreign currency and slight increases in the average unit selling price. We define the average unit selling price as the amount that results from dividing consolidated net sales by units sold. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, consolidated net sales decreased 5.1% compared to the prior year. Consolidated net sales for 2007 increased 7.3% compared to 2006 due to strong international sales, higher global average unit selling prices and a full year’s contribution from the acquisition of Maytag. Excluding currency fluctuations and the impact of the acquisition of Maytag, 2007 sales were essentially equal to 2006.

 

F-3


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

Significant regional trends were as follows:

 

   

North America net sales decreased in 2008 by 8.1% compared to 2007 primarily due to a 10.4% decrease in units sold. The decline in units sold is primarily due to decreased industry demand resulting from a continued weak U.S. economy in 2008. Partially offsetting the decrease in units sold is a 2.5% increase in the average unit selling price primarily due to better product price/mix, new product introductions and product innovation, and higher market share in 2008 compared to 2007. North America net sales increased in 2007 compared to 2006 by 0.8% due to a 7.6% increase in the average unit selling price offset by a 6.4% decrease in units sold. The decrease in volume reflects reduced industry volume, lower OEM shipments and lower market share. The reduction in volume in the U.S. was partially offset by higher demand in Canada and Mexico and a higher average unit selling price due to product innovation and better product price/mix. Excluding the impact of the Maytag acquisition, North America sales decreased 5%.

 

   

Europe net sales increased in 2008 by 4.4% compared to 2007, primarily due to a 6.5% higher average unit selling price resulting from favorable foreign currency and better product price/mix, partially offset by a decrease in unit volume due to lower market demand in the second half of the year. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Europe net sales decreased 3.1% in 2008. Net sales increased 12.1% in 2007 as compared to 2006 primarily due to favorable foreign currency, a higher average unit selling price and higher volume. The increase in sales due to price was a result of an 8.3% higher average unit selling price as compared to 2006. The increase in volume was driven by strong Whirlpool brand performance and the positive impact of new product offerings. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Europe net sales increased 2.9% in 2007.

 

   

Latin America net sales increased 7.8% in 2008 as compared to 2007, primarily due to an increase in volume of 5.7% and an increase in the average unit selling price due to the favorable impact of foreign currency. The increase in volume is due to continued growth in the appliance industry, increased market share and favorable economic conditions throughout the region. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Latin America net sales increased 1.7% in 2008. Net sales increased 27.7% in 2007 as compared to 2006 primarily due to higher volume and a favorable impact from changes in foreign currency. As compared to 2006, the total number of units sold increased 18.8%. The increase in volume growth is a result of strong growth in the appliance industry, increased market share, strong economic conditions throughout the region and cost based pricing. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Latin America net sales increased 15.9% in 2007.

Contributing to higher sales in 2008 compared to 2007 and 2006 are increases in BEFIEX credits monetized. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we monetized $168 million, $131 million and $52 million of BEFIEX credits, respectively. We expect to continue recognizing credits as they are monetized. As of December 31, 2008, $542 million of BEFIEX credits remain.

 

   

Asia net sales increased 6.5% in 2008 as compared to 2007 primarily due to a 5.7% increase in units sold. The increase in volume is due to continued growth in the appliance industry, primarily in India. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Asia net sales increased 9.7% in 2008. Net sales increased 21.9% in 2007 as compared to 2006 due to a higher average unit selling price, increased volume and a favorable impact from changes in the value of foreign currency. The increase in sales due to price is a result of an 11.8% higher average unit selling price as compared to 2006. These increases are driven by the impact of successful new product introductions, improved product price/mix and continued growth within India, the segment’s largest market. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Asia net sales increased 12.9% in 2007.

 

F-4


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

Gross Margin

The consolidated gross margin percentage in 2008 decreased compared to 2007 due primarily to higher material and oil-related costs and lower productivity. This decrease was partially offset by improved product price/mix.

The table below summarizes gross margin percentages by region:

 

         2008             Change             2007             Change             2006      

North America

   10.0 %   (2.5 )pts   12.5 %   (0.7 )pts   13.2 %

Europe

   14.0     (2.6 )   16.6     0.4     16.2  

Latin America

   21.2     0.4     20.8     1.6     19.2  

Asia

   18.2     3.0     15.2     (0.1 )   15.3  

Consolidated

   13.3     (1.6 )   14.9     0.2     14.7  

Significant regional trends were as follows:

 

   

North America gross margin decreased in 2008 compared to 2007 primarily due to higher material and oil-related costs, lower industry demand and lower productivity. Additionally, margin was positively impacted by certain asset sale gains totaling $31 million and postretirement curtailments totaling $15 million, which were more than offset by $42 million in higher reserves for LIFO resulting from inflation and a $32 million charge related to product liability. For additional information about product liability, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These decreases were partially offset by improved product price/mix. We expect gross margin to continue to be challenged by a continued slowing U.S. economy and a difficult cost environment in the foreseeable future. North America gross margin decreased in 2007 compared to 2006 primarily due to higher material- and oil-related costs and lower industry demand. This decrease was partially offset by favorable efficiencies as a result of synergies realized from the acquisition of Maytag, productivity improvements, product innovation and an improved product mix as compared to 2006.

 

   

Europe gross margin decreased in 2008 compared to 2007 due primarily to lower productivity and industry demand, which were partially offset by improved product price/mix. Also contributing to lower gross margin were gains from asset sales of $9 million compared with $47 million recognized in 2007. Lower gains in 2008 associated with asset sales were partially offset by gains of $5 million from insurance proceeds. Gross margin improved in 2007 compared to 2006 as higher volumes, continued productivity improvements and innovative product offerings more than offset higher material and oil-related costs. The sale of certain assets also contributed to higher gross margin.

 

   

Latin America gross margin increased in 2008 compared to 2007 due primarily to improvements in product price/mix, productivity and regional tax incentives associated primarily with BEFIEX, which combined to more than offset higher material and oil-related costs. Gross margin increased in 2007 versus 2006, due primarily to continued higher volumes, productivity improvements, cost based price increases and regional tax incentives which combined to more than offset higher material and oil-related costs and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency.

 

   

Asia gross margin increased in 2008 as compared to 2007 due to improvements in product price/mix, productivity, inventory transition costs and volume, which more than offset higher material and oil-related costs. Gross margin decreased slightly in 2007 as compared to 2006, due to higher material and oil-related costs and inventory transition costs which were mitigated by productivity improvements, improved product price/mix and higher volumes.

 

F-5


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

Selling, General and Administrative

The table below summarizes selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales by region:

 

Millions of dollars

   2008    As a %
of Sales
    2007    As a %
of Sales
    2006    As a %
of Sales
 

North America

   $ 851    7.9 %   $ 791    6.7 %   $ 837    7.2 %

Europe

     414    10.3       391    10.2       363    10.6  

Latin America

     306    8.3       277    8.1       279    10.4  

Asia

     98    16.5       91    16.3       81    17.7  

Corporate/Other

     129          186          192     
                           

Consolidated

   $ 1,798    9.5     $ 1,736    8.9     $ 1,752    9.7  
                           

In 2008, consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percent of consolidated net sales, increased as compared to 2007 primarily due to lower sales volume and higher brand investment, partially offset by lower infrastructure costs and $20 million in gains associated with asset sales. Additionally, this increase was impacted by a $12 million operating tax credit recorded by our Latin America region during the third quarter of 2007. In 2007, consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percent of consolidated net sales, decreased as compared to 2006, primarily due to higher sales volume, acquisition efficiencies and administrative cost reductions.

Restructuring

Restructuring initiatives resulted in charges of $149 million, $61 million and $55 million in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, reflecting ongoing efforts to optimize our global operating platform. These charges are included in restructuring in our Consolidated Statements of Income and primarily consist of charges to restructure the cooking platform in Latin America, shift refrigeration and dishwasher capacity to lower cost regions in Europe and North America, restructure the laundry platform in North America and Europe and reorganize the salaried workforce throughout Europe and North America.

On October 27, 2008, management committed to a workforce reduction plan whereby we will reduce our employee base worldwide between the fourth quarter of 2008 and the beginning of 2010. For additional information about restructuring, see Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest and Sundry Income (Expense)

Interest and sundry expense for 2008 increased by $37 million from expense of $63 million in 2007 to expense of $100 million in 2008. Higher expense in 2008 was primarily due to the impact of foreign currency and an impairment charge of $9 million in our Europe segment associated with an available for sale investment, partially offset by higher interest income. Interest and sundry expense for 2007 increased by $61 million from expense of $2 million to expense of $63 million compared to 2006. The results in 2006 include a $31 million gain on the sale of an investment while 2007 expense includes a $17 million increase in legal reserves as well as higher non-income based taxes.

Interest Expense

Interest expense in 2008 was consistent as compared to 2007 as higher debt levels were offset by lower interest rates. Interest expense in 2007 increased $1 million as compared to 2006. For nine months in 2006, we incurred higher debt levels associated with debt assumed and issued for the Maytag acquisition which was offset by lower debt levels at lower interest rates during 2007.

 

F-6


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

Gain on Sale of Investment

During 2007, we sold approximately 9 million shares, or 7%, of Whirlpool of India Limited and recorded a gain of approximately $7 million. This sale was executed to satisfy a change in the Stock Exchange Board of India listing standards and regulations. Following the sale of stock, our ownership interest in Whirlpool of India Limited is 75%.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was a benefit of 81.7% in 2008, and tax expense of 14.5% and 20.4% in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The rates and changes in rates are primarily due to a decline in profitability and energy tax credits generated in the U.S. in 2008 as well as a combination of certain discrete items recognized during the year, dispersion of global income, tax credit availability, and tax planning activities. At the end of each interim period, we make our best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year and the impact of discrete items, if any, and adjust the quarterly rate, as necessary. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 resulted in an increase in earnings per diluted share of $3.11 as compared to the prior year. For additional information about our consolidated tax provision, see Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Earnings from Continuing Operations

Earnings from continuing operations were $418 million in 2008 versus $647 million and $486 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively, due to the factors described above.

 

Millions of dollars, except per share data

           2008                    2007                    2006        

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 418    $ 647    $ 486

Diluted earnings from continuing operations per share

     5.50      8.10      6.35

Discontinued Operations

We classified the Hoover floor-care, Dixie-Narco vending systems, and Jade commercial and residential businesses as discontinued operations during 2006. The decision to divest these businesses allowed us to focus on our core appliance business. For additional information about discontinued operations, see Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net Earnings

Net Earnings were $418 million in 2008 versus $640 million and $433 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively, due to the factors described above. Earnings were impacted by $7 million and $53 million in losses from discontinued operations for 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

Millions of dollars, except per share data

           2008                    2007                    2006        

Net Earnings

   $ 418    $ 640    $ 433

Diluted net earnings per share

     5.50      8.01      5.67

FORWARD-LOOKING PERSPECTIVE

We have continued to experience intensified macroeconomic challenges in North America and are now experiencing similar macroeconomic challenges in the European market. These conditions are primarily related to higher than expected material and oil-related costs and decreased consumer demand for our products.

 

F-7


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, we currently estimate earnings per diluted share from continuing operations to be in the range of $3.00 to $4.00, and free cash flow for the year to be from $300 to $400 million. Within North America and Europe we expect industry demand to decline 10% and 8% in 2009, respectively, while Latin America and Asia are currently expected to be flat to down 5% for the year. Material cost inflation is expected to be approximately $200 million in 2009, largely driven by increases in component parts, steel and base metals, such as copper, aluminum, zinc and nickel. We expect to offset these higher costs with productivity improvements, new product introductions, previously implemented cost-based price adjustments, improved product price/mix and administrative and infrastructure cost reductions. Our innovation product pipeline continues to grow and drive higher average sales values, consumer and trade response to our new product offerings has been positive, and we continue to accelerate our global branded consumer products strategy of delivering relevant innovation to markets worldwide.

The table below reconciles projected 2009 cash provided by continuing operations determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States to free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure. Management believes that free cash flow provides shareholders with a relevant measure of liquidity and a useful basis for assessing Whirlpool’s ability to fund its activities and obligations. There are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures, including the difficulty associated with comparing companies that use similarly named non-GAAP measures whose calculations may differ from our calculations. We define free cash flow as cash provided by continuing operations after capital expenditures and proceeds from the sale of assets/businesses. The projections shown here are based upon many estimates and are inherently subject to change based on future decisions made by management and the board of directors of Whirlpool, and significant economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies.

 

Millions of dollars

             2009 Outlook            

Cash provided by continuing operating activities

   $ 700     –     $ 800  

Capital expenditures

     (450 )   –       (500 )

Proceeds from sale of assets/businesses

     50     –       100  
                  

Free cash flow

   $ 300     –     $ 400  
                  

Agreements with trade customers

We enter into agreements with our trade customers from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Most of our products are not sold through long-term agreements. Most trade customers have the ability to change volume among suppliers.

We regularly negotiate with major trade customers and manufacturers regarding supply arrangements for future periods beyond the current year. Sears is a major trade customer for both our OEM and Whirlpool branded products, which accounted for approximately 11%, 12% and 14% of our consolidated net sales for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The products and volumes we supply and the revenues we obtain may be significantly different in the future than those which currently exist and there is the potential for such sales to be less than 10% of our consolidated net sales for the full year 2009. Based on current supply arrangements, we anticipate maintaining a significant, but reduced, level of OEM volume beginning in 2010. In the past, when faced with a potential volume reduction from any one particular segment of our trade distribution network, we generally have been able to offset such decline through increased sales throughout our broad distribution network. We expect to continue to grow our own brand sales, supported by significant innovation, through our full distribution trade network and execution of our brand-focused value creation strategy.

 

F-8


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

Our objective is to finance our business through operating cash flow and the appropriate mix of long-term and short-term debt. By diversifying the maturity structure, we avoid concentrations of debt, reducing liquidity risk. We have varying needs for short-term working capital financing as a result of the nature of our business. The volume and timing of refrigeration and air conditioning production impacts our cash flows and consists of increased production in the first half of the year to meet increased demand in the summer months.

The funding markets have been volatile in recent quarters and we have experienced negative global economic trends. To succeed in this environment we are aggressively taking steps to further reduce all areas of cost, production capacity, working capital and capital expenditures. As a result of the global volatility and challenging economic trends, we decided to exit the commercial paper market during the December 2008 quarter and initiated borrowing under our $2.2 billion committed bank line of credit, provided by a syndicate of highly-rated banks. This facility matures in December 2010. Outside the U.S., short-term funding is provided by bank borrowings on uncommitted lines of credit.

We expect borrowings under our $2.2 billion revolving credit facility will increase to an amount up to $1.2 billion over the course of this year based upon our current business plans and normal seasonal working capital requirements. Borrowings on our revolving credit facility are being utilized for general corporate purposes, are used to ensure daily liquidity and may be borrowed and repaid from time to time. Amounts borrowed on our revolving credit facility up to $1.1 billion bear interest at LIBOR + 0.475%, and if amounts borrowed exceed $1.1 billion, total borrowings bear interest at LIBOR + 0.60%.

Given the generally negative and highly volatile global economic climate and the challenges and uncertainties in the global credit markets, we are proactively taking steps to assure flexibility in future credit availability. We believe that our operating cash flow, together with access to sufficient sources of liquidity, will be adequate to meet our ongoing funding requirements. We are in compliance with the financial covenants of debt agreements with lenders for all periods presented. For a description of financing arrangements that had an effect on our liquidity, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Defined Benefit Plans

On August 1, 2008, we amended certain retiree medical benefits associated with our Newton, Iowa manufacturing facility to be consistent with those benefits provided by the Whirlpool Corporation Group Benefit Plan. This amendment resulted in a reduction in the postretirement benefit obligation of $229 million with a corresponding increase to other comprehensive income, net of tax, within equity of our Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2008. For additional information on our defined benefit plans, see Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Share Repurchase Program

In June 2004, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $500 million. During 2007, we repurchased 3.8 million shares at an aggregate purchase price of $368 million and during the three months ended March 31, 2008, we repurchased 1.1 million shares at an aggregate purchase price of $97 million under this program. At March 31, 2008, there were no remaining funds authorized under this program.

On April 23, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $500 million. Share repurchases are made from time to time on the open market as conditions warrant. During 2008, we repurchased 1.9 million shares at an aggregate purchase price of $150 million under this program. At December 31, 2008, there were $350 million remaining funds authorized under this program.

 

F-9


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

Sources and Uses of Cash

We expect to meet our cash needs for 2009 from cash flows from continuing operations, cash and equivalents and financing arrangements. Our cash and equivalents were $146 million at December 31, 2008 as compared to $201 million at December 31, 2007.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities of Continuing Operations

Cash provided by continuing operating activities in 2008 was $327 million, a decrease of $600 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. Cash provided by continuing operations for 2008 reflects lower cash earnings primarily from our North America and Europe segments as compared to 2007. Cash provided by continuing operations also reflects lower accounts payable due to adjusting volume based on demand and higher pension contributions. The above decreases in cash flows were partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable and lower restructuring spending. Cash provided by continuing operating activities in 2007 was $927 million, an increase of $47 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2006. Cash provided by continuing operations for 2007 reflected higher earnings primarily from our Latin America and Europe segments as compared to 2006. Cash provided by continuing operations also reflected cash consumed from increased inventories as a result of lower than anticipated demand in North America during the fourth quarter of 2007 as well as support for higher sales volumes in Latin America and product transitions in the U.S. The increased inventory balances in 2007 were more than offset by improved trade receivable collections, improved accounts payable terms as well as lower global taxes. Cash provided by continuing operations was negatively impacted by increased spending associated with a Maytag dishwasher recall.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities of Continuing Operations

Cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was an outflow of $433 million in 2008 compared to an outflow of $331 million last year. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to the prior year receipt of proceeds from the sale of certain Maytag discontinued businesses of $100 million, lower proceeds from the sale of assets in 2008, and higher capital spending. Cash used in investing activities from continuing operations in 2007 was an outflow of $331 million compared to an outflow of $1.2 billion during 2006. The decrease was primarily due to cash disbursed to acquire Maytag, net of cash acquired of $797 million and the purchase of minority interest shares of a Brazil subsidiary in the amount of $53 million during 2006. Offsetting cash used in investing activities from continuing operations were proceeds received from the sale of certain Maytag discontinued businesses of $100 million.

The goal of our global operating platform is to enhance our competitive position in the global home appliance industry by reducing costs, driving productivity and quality improvements, and accelerating our rate of innovation. We plan to continue our comprehensive worldwide effort to optimize our regional manufacturing facilities, supply base, product platforms and technology resources to better support our global products, brands and customers. We intend to make additional investments to improve our competitiveness in fiscal 2009. Capital spending is expected to be between $450 and $500 million in 2009 in support of our investment in innovative product technologies and our global operating platform initiatives.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities of Continuing Operations

Cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations was an inflow of $141 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to an outflow of $696 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The current year reflects proceeds received related to the issuance of $500 million of 5.5% notes due March 1, 2013 and the repayment of $125 million of 9.1% debentures. Net proceeds of short-term borrowings were $101 million

 

F-10


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to net repayments of $243 million in the prior year. During 2008, we repurchased stock totaling $247 million, paid dividends to common stockholders totaling $128 million and received proceeds from the issuance of common stock related to option exercises of $21 million. Cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was an outflow of $696 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to an inflow of $29 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Net repayments of short-term borrowings were $243 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to borrowings of $381 million in 2006. Cash flows from financing activities in 2006 also reflected short-term debt issued to pay our maturing $300 million Eurobond principal and proceeds of long-term debt which replaced commercial paper borrowings initially issued to finance the acquisition of Maytag. Repayments of long-term debt reflect the maturity of Whirlpool and Maytag debt. During the year ended December 31, 2007 we also repurchased stock totaling $368 million, paid dividends to common stockholders totaling $134 million and received proceeds from the issuance of common stock related to option exercises of $68 million.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Whirlpool has guarantee arrangements in place in a Brazilian subsidiary. As a standard business practice in Brazil, the subsidiary guarantees customer lines of credit at commercial banks, supporting purchases from Whirlpool, following its normal credit policies. If a customer were to default on its line of credit with the bank, the subsidiary would be required to satisfy the obligation with the bank, and the receivable would revert back to the subsidiary. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, these amounts totaled $203 million and $331 million, respectively. Our only recourse related to these agreements is legal or administrative collection efforts directed against the customer.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND FORWARD-LOOKING CASH REQUIREMENTS

The following table summarizes our expected cash outflows resulting from financial contracts and commitments:

 

     Payments due by period
     Total    2009    2010 &
2011
   2012 &
2013
   Thereafter

Millions of dollars

              

Long-term debt obligations(1)

   $ 2,782    $ 336    $ 891    $ 653    $ 902

Operating lease obligations

     582      150      205      126      101

Purchase obligations(2)

     1,082      288      592      194      8

Other long-term liabilities(3)

     93      93               
                                  

Total(4)(5)

   $ 4,539    $ 867    $ 1,688    $ 973    $ 1,011
                                  

 

(1)   Interest payments related to long-term debt are included in the table above. For additional information about our debt, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2)   Purchase obligations include our “take-or-pay” contracts with materials vendors and minimum payment obligations to other suppliers.

 

(3)   Other long-term liabilities include our expected 2009 U.S. pension and foreign pension fund contributions in the amount of $93 million. Required contributions for future years depend on certain factors that cannot be determined at this time.

 

(4)   The table does not include short-term credit facility borrowings of $393 million. For additional information about short-tem borrowings, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(5)   Not included in the above table are tax payments associated with uncertain tax positions as we are unable to estimate the period of payment.

 

F-11


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. We periodically evaluate these estimates and assumptions, which are based on historical experience, changes in the business environment and other factors that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Accounting for pensions and other postretirement benefits involves estimating the costs of future benefits and attributing the cost over the employee’s expected period of employment. The determination of our obligation and expense for these costs requires the use of certain assumptions. Those assumptions include, among other assumptions, the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and health care cost trend rates. These assumptions are subject to change based on interest rates on high quality bonds, stock and bond markets and medical cost inflation, respectively. As permitted by GAAP, actual results that differ from our assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and therefore, generally affect our recognized expense and accrued liability in such future periods. While we believe that our assumptions are appropriate given current economic conditions and actual experience, significant differences in results or significant changes in our assumptions may materially affect our pension and other postretirement obligations and related future expense. As required by Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 87, SFAS No. 106 and SFAS No. 132 (R) as amended by SFAS No. 158, our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations as of December 31, 2008 and preliminary retirement benefit costs for the 2009 fiscal year were prepared using the assumptions that were determined as of December 31, 2008. The following table summarizes the sensitivity of our December 31, 2008 retirement obligations and 2009 retirement benefit costs of our U.S. plans to changes in the key assumptions used to determine those results:

 

Millions of dollars

Change in assumption

  Estimated increase
(decrease) in 2009
pension cost
    Estimated increase
(decrease) in

Projected Benefit
Obligation for the
year ended

December 31, 2008
    Estimated increase
(decrease) in 2009
Other
Postretirement
Benefits cost
    Estimated increase
(decrease) in Other
Postretirement Benefit
Obligation for the
year ended

December 31, 2008
 

0.25% increase in discount rate

  $ (3.4 )   $ (91.9 )   $ 0.5     $ (17.3 )
                               

0.25% decrease in discount rate

    3.8       98.6       (0.2 )     18.6  
                               

0.25% increase in long-term return on assets

    (6.3 )                  
                               

0.25% decrease in long-term return on assets

    6.3                    
                               

0.50% increase in discount rate

    (6.6 )     (183.8 )     0.9       (34.5 )
                               

0.50% decrease in discount rate

    7.5       200.0       1.0       37.2  
                               

0.50% increase in long-term return on assets

    (12.7 )                  
                               

0.50% decrease in long-term return on assets

    12.7                    
                               

1.00% increase in medical trend rates

                7.0       51.7  
                               

1.00% decrease in medical trend rates

                (3.6 )     (47.9 )
                               

These sensitivities may not be appropriate to use for other years’ financial results. Furthermore, the impact of assumption changes outside of the ranges shown above may not be approximated by using the above results. For additional information about our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, see Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-12


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

Income Taxes

We estimate our income taxes in each of the taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. This involves estimating actual current tax expense together with assessing any temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of certain items, such as the timing for recognizing expenses, for tax and accounting purposes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” These differences may result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are required to assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets, which include net operating loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, are expected to be realizable in future years. Realization of our net operating loss and tax credit deferred tax assets is supported by specific tax planning strategies and considers projections of future profitability. If recovery is not more likely than not, we provide a valuation allowance based on estimates of future taxable income in the various taxing jurisdictions, and the amount of deferred taxes that are ultimately realizable. If future taxable income is lower than expected or if tax planning strategies are not available as anticipated, we may record additional valuation allowances through income tax expense in the period such determination is made. Likewise, if we determine that we are able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of net recorded amounts, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will increase income in the period such determination is made. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had total deferred tax assets of $2,212 million and $1,658 million, respectively, net of valuation allowances of $147 million and $72 million, respectively. Our effective tax rate has ranged from (81.7)% to 33.9% over the past five years and has been influenced by tax credits, audit settlements and adjustments, tax planning strategies, enacted legislation, and dispersion of global income. A 1.0% increase in our effective tax rate would have decreased 2008 earnings by approximately $2.5 million. Future changes in the effective tax rate will be subject to several factors, including enacted laws, tax planning strategies, and business profitability.

In addition, we operate within multiple taxing jurisdictions and are subject to audit in these jurisdictions. These audits can involve complex issues, which may require an extended period of time to resolve. For additional information about income taxes, see Notes 1 and 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

BEFIEX Credits

Our Brazilian operations earned tax credits under the Brazilian government’s export incentive program. These credits reduce Brazilian federal excise taxes on domestic sales, resulting in an increase in the operations’ recorded net sales. Based on a recalculation of available credits and a favorable court decision in the fourth quarter of 2005, we were able to recognize approximately $168 million, $131 million and $52 million of export credits during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, approximately $542 million of export credits remain. We recognize credits as they are monetized. BEFIEX credits are not subject to income taxes.

Product Recalls

The establishment of a liability for product recalls is periodically required and is impacted by several factors such as customer response rate, consumer options, field repair costs, inventory repair costs, extended warranty costs, communication structure and other miscellaneous costs such as legal, logistics and consulting. The customer response rate, which represents an estimate of the total number of units to be serviced as a percentage of the total number of units affected by the recall, is the most significant factor in estimating the total cost of each recall. This rate reflects several factors, including the type of product, the year manufactured, age of the product sold and current and past experience factors. Differences between our assumptions and actual experience could have a material impact on our product recall reserves. For additional information about product recalls, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-13


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

Warranty Obligations

The estimation of warranty obligations is determined in the same period that revenue from the sale of the related products is recognized. The warranty obligation is based on historical experience and reflects our best estimate of expected costs at the time products are sold. Warranty accruals are adjusted for known or anticipated warranty claims as new information becomes available. Future events and circumstances could materially change our estimates and require adjustments to the warranty obligations. New product launches require a greater use of judgment in developing estimates until historical experience becomes available. For additional information about warranty obligations, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill and Intangible Valuations

We sell products under a number of trademarks, many of which we developed. Trademark development costs are expensed as incurred. We also purchase trademark assets and goodwill in acquisitions. Upon acquisition, the purchase price is first allocated to identifiable assets and liabilities, including trademark assets, based on estimated fair value, with any remaining purchase price recorded as goodwill. Trademarks and goodwill are considered indefinite lived intangible assets and as such are not amortized. We test indefinite lived intangibles for impairment as of November 30 each year.

Intangible Valuations

In assessing the fair value of trademarks, we utilize a relief from royalty method. If the carrying amount of a trademark exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. Considerable judgment is necessary to estimate revenue growth rates by trademark which are based on the best available market information and are consistent with our internal forecasts and operating plans. Estimated royalty rate assumptions are based on the capacity of the trademarks to generate economic returns, and royalty rates contained in publicly available third party licensing agreements. For additional information about indefinite lived intangible assets, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill Valuations

Goodwill is evaluated using a two-step impairment test at the reporting unit level. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the book value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, with its fair value, as determined by its discounted cash flows. If the book value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform the second step of the impairment test to determine the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recorded. In the second step, we determine an implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities other than goodwill (including any unrecognized intangible assets). The difference between the total fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of all the assets and liabilities other than goodwill is the implied fair value of that goodwill. The amount of impairment loss is equal to the excess of the book value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill.

We determine fair value based on a discounted cash flow model which is an accepted valuation technique. Considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes and to estimate future cash flows. Assumptions used in our impairment evaluations, such as forecasted growth rates and our cost of capital, are based on the best available market information and are consistent with our internal forecasts and operating plans. Additionally, in assessing goodwill impairment for the North America reporting unit, we considered the implied control premium and concluded the implied control premium was reasonable based on other recent market transactions. Changes in these estimates or a continued decline in general economic conditions could change our conclusion regarding an impairment of goodwill and potentially result in a non-cash impairment loss in a future period.

 

F-14


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

The discount rate and revenue long-term growth assumptions are two significant assumptions utilized in our calculation of the present value of cash flows used to estimate fair value of the reporting units. The estimated fair values of the reporting units have historically exceeded the carrying value of such reporting units by a substantial amount. We performed a sensitivity analysis on the discount rates and revenue long-term growth assumptions. In estimating sensitivity, either the discount rate could increase by 50 basis points or the revenue long-term growth rate could decline to zero and our reporting units would continue to have a fair value in excess of carrying value. These assumptions could be adversely impacted by certain of the risks discussed in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report. For additional information about goodwill, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB No. 133,” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 is intended to improve transparency in financial reporting by requiring enhanced disclosures of an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities and their effects on the entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 applies to all derivative instruments within the scope of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (“SFAS 133”). SFAS 161 also applies to non-derivative hedging instruments and all hedged items designated and qualifying under SFAS 133. SFAS 161 is effective prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. SFAS 161 encourages, but does not require, comparative disclosures for periods prior to its initial adoption. We will adopt SFAS 161 on January 1, 2009 and are currently evaluating the potential impact on our financial statements when implemented.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), until the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We adopted SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008. For additional information regarding SFAS 157, see Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations,” (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) requires us to continue to follow the guidance in SFAS 141 for certain aspects of business combinations, with additional guidance provided defining the acquirer, the accounting for transaction costs and contingent consideration, recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, assets and liabilities arising from contingencies, defining a bargain purchase and recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase. In addition, under SFAS 141(R), adjustments associated with changes in tax contingencies that occur after the measurement period, not to exceed one year, are recorded as adjustments to income. This statement is effective for all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008; however, the guidance in this standard regarding the treatment of income tax contingencies is retrospective to business combinations completed prior to January 1, 2009. We will adopt SFAS 141(R) for any business combinations occurring at or subsequent to January 1, 2009.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements,” an Amendment of ARB No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest

 

F-15


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008 with retrospective application. We will adopt SFAS 160 beginning January 1, 2009 and are currently evaluating the potential impact on our financial statements when implemented.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The expanded disclosures in this statement about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities should provide users of financial statements with better information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure recognized assets and liabilities, the inputs used to develop the measurements, and the effect of certain of the measurements on earnings (or changes in net assets) for the period. We adopted SFAS 157 for financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008. For additional information regarding SFAS 157, see Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

MARKET RISK

We have in place an Enterprise Risk Management process that involves systematic risk identification and mitigation covering the categories of Enterprise, Strategic, Financial, Operation and Compliance and Reporting risk. The Enterprise Risk Management process receives Board of Directors and Management oversight, drives risk mitigation decision-making and is fully integrated into our internal audit planning and execution cycle.

We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, domestic and foreign interest rates, and commodity prices, which can affect our operating results and overall financial condition. We manage exposure to these risks through our operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments are viewed as risk management tools and are not used for speculation or for trading purposes. Derivative financial instruments are contracted with a diversified group of investment grade counterparties to reduce exposure to nonperformance on such instruments.

We use foreign currency forward contracts, currency options and currency swaps to hedge the price risk associated with firmly committed and forecasted cross-border payments and receipts related to ongoing business and operational financing activities. Foreign currency contracts are sensitive to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2008, a 10% unfavorable exchange rate movement in each currency in our portfolio of foreign currency contracts would have resulted in an incremental unrealized loss of approximately $25 million, while a 10% favorable shift would have resulted in an incremental unrealized gain of approximately $29 million. Consistent with the use of these contracts to neutralize the effect of exchange rate fluctuations, such unrealized losses or gains would be offset by corresponding gains or losses, respectively, in the re-measurement of the underlying exposures.

We enter into commodity swap contracts to hedge the price risk associated with firmly committed and forecasted commodities purchases that are not fixed directly through supply contracts. As of December 31, 2008, a 10% favorable or unfavorable shift in commodity prices would have resulted in an incremental $15 million gain or a $24 million loss related to these contracts.

We utilize interest rate swaps to hedge our interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2008, a 10% shift in interest rates would have resulted in an incremental $1 million gain or loss related to these contracts.

In January 2009, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings lowered our senior unsecured debt rating from “BBB” to “BBB-” and our short-term corporate credit and commercial paper ratings from “A-2” to “A-3” and

 

F-16


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

“F-2 to F-3”, respectively, based on weakened operating performance and the pullback in discretionary consumer spending. Also in January 2009, Moody’s Investor Services lowered our senior unsecured rating from “Baa2” to “Baa3” and our commercial paper ratings from “Prime-2” to “Prime-3” based on weakening appliance industry demand. These rating adjustments may result in higher interest costs if we were to seek additional financing in the capital markets. See Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on financing arrangements.

OTHER MATTERS

The Brazilian Constitution provides a general basis for recognizing tax credits on the purchase of raw materials used in production (“IPI tax credit”). Certain raw materials that are exempt or have a zero tax basis in the production process qualify for these IPI tax credits. Based on legal precedent, in 2003 and 2004, we recognized tax credits in an aggregate amount of $25 million adjusted for currency. No credits were recognized in 2005 through 2008. The Brazilian tax authority has challenged the recording of IPI tax credits. The Brazilian Supreme Court, which rules on a case by case basis, ruled adversely against another taxpayer in an IPI tax credit case. That ruling is not yet final.

Our case is being defended at an administrative level. Our potential exposure ranges from zero to $60 million comprised of $25 million in taxes, $18 million in interest and $17 million in penalties. It is not possible to determine the outcome of these legal proceedings with certainty and as such, we have not accrued a liability for this exposure at December 31, 2008. In December 2008, the Brazilian government announced a special program providing for extended payment terms and reductions in penalties and interest to encourage taxpayers to resolve disputed IPI amounts. We have not made a decision about participation. Under the program, as announced, we have until March 31, 2009 to decide.

In 1989, a Brazilian affiliate (now a subsidiary) brought an action against a financial institution in Brazil seeking a “Declaration of Non-Enforceability of Obligations” relating to loan documentation entered into without authority by a senior officer of the affiliate. In September 2000, an adverse decision in the declaratory action became final. In 2001, the financial institution began a collection action and we responded with a counterclaim. The lower court dismissed the counterclaim in 2002 and the Superior Court confirmed the lower court decision in December 2005. The Superior Court dismissed our counterclaim in 2007. In late 2008, the lower court issued a decision in the collection action in favor of the financial institution in the amount of 283 million Brazilian Real (approximately $121 million U.S., based on recent exchange rates), plus judicial adjustments, which could be significant. We have appealed this decision. Based on our outside counsel’s assessment of the case, the amount previously accrued for our estimated exposure for this litigation remains unchanged. However, the amount of the final award, if any, may be materially different than the amount we have accrued.

We currently expect to undertake a corrective action to address a supplier-related quality and potential product safety problem that may affect 1 million appliances manufactured between 2001 and 2003. We have accrued $31.5 million for this matter based on our estimate of the costs of the action. Actual costs will depend upon several factors, including the number of consumers who respond to a particular recall, repair and administrative costs, whether the cost of any such corrective action is borne initially by Whirlpool or the supplier, and, if initially borne by Whirlpool, whether we will be successful in recovering our costs from the supplier. We continue to work with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to determine whether other appliances may be affected, and there can be no assurance that the number of units and related costs will not increase. In addition, we could incur other costs arising out of this problem that cannot currently be estimated but could be material.

 

F-17


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—(CONTINUED)

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Certain statements contained in this annual report, including those within the forward-looking perspective section within this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and other written and oral statements made from time to time by us or on our behalf do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. As such, they are considered “forward-looking statements” which provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. Such statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “possible,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “forecast,” and similar words or expressions. Our forward-looking statements generally relate to our growth strategies, financial results, product development, and sales efforts. These forward-looking statements should be considered with the understanding that such statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially.

This document contains forward-looking statements that speak only as of this date. Whirlpool disclaims any obligation to update these statements. Forward-looking statements in this document may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected earnings per share, cash flow, productivity and material and oil-related prices. Many risks, contingencies and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from Whirlpool Corporation’s forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) changes in economic conditions which affect demand for our products, including the strength of the building industry and the level of interest rates; (2) the effects of the global economic crisis on our customers, suppliers and the availability of credit; (3) Whirlpool’s ability to continue its relationship with significant trade customers, including Sears Holding Corporation in North America (accounting for approximately 11% of Whirlpool’s 2008 consolidated net sales of $18.9 billion) and the ability of these trade customers to maintain or increase market share; (4) intense competition in the home appliance industry reflecting the impact of both new and established global competitors, including Asian and European manufacturers; (5) the ability of Whirlpool to manage foreign currency fluctuations; (6) litigation including product liability and product defect claims; (7) the ability of Whirlpool to achieve its business plans, productivity improvements, cost control, leveraging of its global operating platform, and acceleration of the rate of innovation; (8) fluctuations in the cost of key materials (including steel, oil, plastic, resins, copper and aluminum) and components and the ability of Whirlpool to offset cost increases; (9) the ability of suppliers of critical parts, components and manufacturing equipment to deliver sufficient quantities to Whirlpool in a timely and cost-effective manner; (10) health care cost trends and regulatory changes that could increase future funding obligations for pension and post retirement benefit plans; (11) Whirlpool’s ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights; (12) global, political and/or economic uncertainty and disruptions, especially in Whirlpool’s significant geographic regions, including uncertainty and disruptions arising from natural disasters or terrorist attacks; (13) the effects of governmental investigations or related actions by third parties; (14) the impact of labor relations; (15) our ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees; (16) the cost of compliance with environmental and health and safety regulations.

We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, and investors are advised to review disclosures in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. Therefore, investors should not consider the foregoing factors to be an exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties, or factors that could potentially cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report.

 

F-18


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Year Ended December 31

(Millions of dollars, except per share data)

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Net sales

   $ 18,907     $ 19,408     $ 18,080  

Expenses

      

Cost of products sold

     16,383       16,517       15,420  

Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of intangible amortization)

     1,798       1,736       1,752  

Intangible amortization

     28       31       30  

Restructuring costs

     149       61       55  
                        

Operating profit

     549       1,063       823  

Other income (expense)

      

Interest and sundry income (expense)

     (100 )     (63 )     (2 )

Interest expense

     (203 )     (203 )     (202 )

Gain on sale of investment

           7        
                        

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and other items

     246       804       619  

Income taxes

     (201 )     117       126  
                        

Earnings from continuing operations before equity earnings and minority interests

     447       687       493  

Equity in income (loss) of affiliated companies

           (18 )     1  

Minority interests

     (29 )     (22 )     (8 )
                        

Earnings from continuing operations

     418       647       486  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax of $0, $3 and $26 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively

           (7 )     (53 )
                        

Net earnings available to common stockholders

   $ 418     $ 640     $ 433  
                        

Per share of common stock

      

Basic earnings from continuing operations

   $ 5.57     $ 8.24     $ 6.47  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

           (0.09 )     (0.71 )
                        

Basic net earnings

   $ 5.57     $ 8.15     $ 5.76  
                        

Diluted earnings from continuing operations

   $ 5.50     $ 8.10     $ 6.35  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

           (0.09 )     (0.68 )
                        

Diluted net earnings

   $ 5.50     $ 8.01     $ 5.67  
                        

Dividends

   $ 1.72     $ 1.72     $ 1.72  
                        

Weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions)

      

Basic

     75.1       78.5       75.1  

Diluted

     76.0       79.9       76.5  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-19


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Millions of dollars, except per share data)

 

     December 31,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 

Assets

    

Current assets

    

Cash and equivalents

   $ 146     $ 201  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $66 and $83 at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

     2,103       2,604  

Inventories

     2,591       2,665  

Prepaid Expenses

     110       89  

Deferred income taxes

     580       324  

Other current assets

     514       672  
                

Total current assets

     6,044       6,555  
                

Other assets

    

Goodwill, net

     1,728       1,760  

Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $96 and $68 at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

     1,821       1,854  

Other assets

     954       628  
                

Total other assets

     4,503       4,242  
                

Property, plant and equipment

    

Land

     74       84  

Buildings

     1,186       1,226  

Machinery and equipment

     7,549       7,861  

Accumulated depreciation

     (5,824 )     (5,959 )
                

Total property, plant and equipment

     2,985       3,212  
                

Total assets

   $ 13,532     $ 14,009  
                

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable

   $ 2,805     $ 3,260  

Accrued expenses

     530       633  

Accrued advertising and promotions

     440       497  

Employee compensation

     306       444  

Notes payable

     393       298  

Current maturities of long-term debt

     202       127  

Other current liabilities

     887       634  
                

Total current liabilities

     5,563       5,893  
                

Noncurrent liabilities

    

Long-term debt

     2,002       1,668  

Postretirement benefits

     822       1,061  

Pension benefits

     1,505       725  

Other liabilities

     567       682  
                

Total noncurrent liabilities

     4,896       4,136  
                

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 7)

    

Minority interests

     67       69  
                

Stockholders’ equity

    

Common stock, $1 par value, 250 million shares authorized, 104 million and 103 million shares issued at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, 73 million and 76 million shares outstanding at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

     104       103  

Additional paid-in capital

     2,033       1,993  

Retained earnings

     3,993       3,703  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (1,259 )     (270 )

Treasury stock, 31 million shares and 27 million shares at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

     (1,865 )     (1,618 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     3,006       3,911  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 13,532     $ 14,009  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-20


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year ended December 31

(Millions of dollars)

 

     2008     2007     2006  

Operating activities of continuing operations

      

Net earnings

   $ 418     $ 640     $ 433  

Loss from discontinued operations

           7       53  
                        

Earnings from continuing operations

     418       647       486  

Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing operations to cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     597       593       550  

Gain on disposition of assets

     (60 )     (65 )     (4 )

Gain on sale of investment

           (7 )      

Gain on disposition of businesses

                 (32 )

Increase in LIFO inventory reserve

     42       9       10  

Equity in losses of affiliated companies, less dividends received

           18       5  

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:

      

Accounts receivable

     300       181       50  

Inventories

     (174 )     (194 )     (118 )

Accounts payable

     (250 )     105       44  

Restructuring charges, net of cash paid

     33       (82 )     (80 )

Taxes deferred and payable, net

     (256 )     10       (154 )

Accrued pension

     (123 )     (70 )     53  

Employee compensation

     (84 )     (24 )     25  

Other

     (116 )     (194 )     45  
                        

Cash provided by continuing operating activities

     327       927       880  
                        

Investing activities of continuing operations

      

Capital expenditures

     (547 )     (536 )     (576 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

     119       130       86  

Proceeds from sale of businesses

                 36  

Proceeds from sale of Maytag adjacent businesses

           100       110  

Purchase of minority interest shares

                 (53 )

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash paid

                 (797 )

Other

     (5 )     (25 )      
                        

Cash used in investing activities of continuing operations

     (433 )     (331 )     (1,194 )
                        

Financing activities of continuing operations

      

Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt

     545       3       757  

Purchase of treasury stock

     (247 )     (368 )      

Repayments of long-term debt

     (131 )     (17 )     (1,046 )

Dividends paid

     (128 )     (134 )     (130 )

Net proceeds (repayments) from short-term borrowings

     101       (243 )     381  

Common stock issued

     21       68       54  

Other

     (20 )     (5 )     13  
                        

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations

     141       (696 )     29  
                        

Cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations

      

Operating activities

           6       8  

Investing activities

                 (3 )
                        

Cash provided by discontinued operations

           6       5  
                        

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents

     (90 )     33       18  
                        

Decrease in cash and equivalents

     (55 )     (61 )     (262 )

Cash and equivalents at beginning of year

     201       262       524  
                        

Cash and equivalents at end of year

   $ 146     $ 201     $ 262  
                        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

      

Cash paid for interest

   $ 200     $ 204     $ 225  

Cash paid for taxes

     76       39       173  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-21


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Year ended December 31

(Millions of dollars)

 

    Total     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Treasury Stock/
Additional Paid-
in-Capital
    Common Stock

Balances, December 31, 2005

  $ 1,745     $ 2,902     $ (862 )   $ (387 )   $ 92

Comprehensive income

         

Net earnings

    433       433                  

Other comprehensive income (See Note 9)

    333             333            
               

Comprehensive income

    766          
               

SFAS No. 158 transition adjustment

    (114 )           (114 )          

Common stock issued

    1,016                   1,006       10

Dividends declared on common stock

    (130 )     (130 )                
                                     

Balances, December 31, 2006

    3,283       3,205       (643 )     619       102

Comprehensive income

         

Net earnings

    640       640                  

Other comprehensive income (See Note 9)

    373             373            
               

Comprehensive income

    1,013          
               

Adoption of FIN48

    (8 )     (8 )                

Common stock repurchased

    (368 )                 (368 )    

Common stock issued

    125                   124       1

Dividends declared on common stock

    (134 )     (134 )                
                                     

Balances, December 31, 2007

    3,911       3,703       (270 )     375       103

Comprehensive income

         

Net earnings

    418       418                  

Other comprehensive loss (See Note 9)

    (989 )           (989 )          
               

Comprehensive loss

    (571 )        
               

Common stock repurchased

    (247 )                 (247 )    

Common stock issued

    41                   40       1

Dividends declared on common stock

    (128 )     (128 )                
                                     

Balances, December 31, 2008

  $ 3,006     $ 3,993     $ (1,259 )   $ 168     $ 104
                                     

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-22


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

General Information

Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances. We manufacture appliances in 12 countries under 13 principal brand names in 4 geographic segments and market products in nearly every country around the world. Our Consolidated Financial Statements include all majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

We are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Sales are recorded when title passes to the customer. The point at which title passes is determined by the shipping terms. For the majority of our sales, title is transferred to the customer as soon as products are shipped. For a portion of our sales, title is transferred to the customer upon receipt of products at the customer’s location. Allowances for estimated returns are made on sales of certain products based on historical return rates for the products involved.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We carry accounts receivable at sales value less an allowance for doubtful accounts. On a periodic basis, we evaluate accounts receivable and establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based on a combination of specific customer circumstances, credit conditions and the history of write-offs and collections. We evaluate items on an individual basis when determining accounts receivable write-offs. Our policy is not to charge interest on trade receivables after the invoice becomes past due. A receivable is considered past due if payments have not been received within agreed upon invoice terms.

Freight and Warehousing Costs

We classify freight and warehousing costs within cost of products sold within our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Cash and Equivalents

All highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost, except U.S. production inventories, which are stated at last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost, and Brazilian inventories, which are stated at average cost. Costs do not exceed realizable values. See Note 5 for additional information about inventories.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and other intangible assets are accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” which requires that we evaluate goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis (or whenever

 

F-23


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

events occur which may indicate possible impairment). Goodwill impairment is determined by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired.

Definite lived intangible assets are amortized over the estimated useful life ranging from 6 to 18 years. See Note 3 for additional information about goodwill and intangible assets.

Accounts Payable Outsourcing

We offer our suppliers access to a payables presentment and settlement service (PPS) provided by a third party processor. This service allows our suppliers to view scheduled Whirlpool payments online, enabling them to better manage their cash flow and reduce payment processing costs. Independent of Whirlpool, the PPS provider also allows suppliers to sell their receivables to financial institutions at the sole discretion of both the supplier and the financial institution. We have no economic interest in the sale of these receivables and no direct relationship with financial institutions concerning this service. All of our obligations, including amounts due, remain to our suppliers as stated in our supplier agreements. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, approximately $119 million and $13 million, respectively, of our total accounts payable is available for this purpose and approximately $72 million and $6 million, respectively, has been sold by suppliers to participating financial institutions.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Such costs were $436 million, $421 million and $375 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are charged to expense when the advertisement is first communicated. Such costs were $336 million, $321 million and $316 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Discontinued Operations

We present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of operations that have either been sold or that meet the “held for sale accounting” and certain other criteria as discontinued operations. See Note 2 for additional information about discontinued operations.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency for our international subsidiaries and affiliates is typically the local currency. Certain international subsidiaries primarily utilize the U.S. dollar and Euro as the functional currency.

Long-Lived Assets

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation expense for property, plant and equipment was $569 million, $562 million and $520 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The estimated useful lives for major asset classifications are as follows:

 

Asset Classification

   Estimated
Useful Life

Buildings

   25 to 50 years

Machinery and equipment

   3 to 10 years

Computer/Software

   1 to 8 years

 

F-24


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

We classify gains and losses associated with asset dispositions in the same line item as the underlying depreciation of the disposed asset in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Net gains recognized in cost of products sold include $16 million, $51 million and $1 million for 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Net gains recognized in selling, general, and administrative expense include $19 million, $14 million and $3 million for 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”), we record impairment losses on long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate the assets may be impaired and the estimated future cash flows generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We use derivative instruments designated as cash flow and fair value hedges to manage our exposure to the volatility in material costs, foreign currency and interest rates on certain debt instruments. Derivative instruments are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, which requires us to fair value our derivative instruments periodically. Changes in the fair value of derivative assets or liabilities (i.e., gains or losses) are recognized depending upon the type of hedging relationship and whether a hedge has been designated. For those derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting, we designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a cash flow hedge, fair value hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized immediately in current earnings. See Note 8 for additional information about hedges and derivative financial instruments.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”). Under SFAS No. 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of the respective assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Judgment is required in determining and evaluating our income tax provisions. We establish provisions for income taxes when, based on the technical merits of the uncertain tax position, it is not more likely than not to be substantiated on a review by tax authorities. We evaluate and adjust these accruals in light of changing facts and circumstances. For additional information about income taxes, see Note 12.

Stock Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payments”, using the modified-prospective-transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost includes: (1) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of, January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and (2) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). The resulting costs are recognized straight-line over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the awards (usually the vesting period of the awards). See Note 10 for additional information about stock based compensation.

BEFIEX Credits

Our Brazilian operations earned tax credits under the Brazilian government’s export incentive program. These credits reduce Brazilian federal excise taxes on domestic sales, resulting in an increase in the operations’ recorded net sales. Based on a recalculation of available credits and a favorable court decision in the fourth

 

F-25


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

quarter of 2005, we were able to recognize approximately $168 million, $131 million and $52 million of export credits during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, approximately $542 million of export credits remain. We recognize credits as they are monetized. See Note 12 for additional information about how these credits impact our effective tax rate which are included in “Foreign government tax incentive” in the rate reconciliation of our effective tax rate.

Reclassifications

We reclassified certain other prior period amounts in our Consolidated Financial Statements to be consistent with current period presentation. The effect of these reclassifications is not material.

New Accounting Standards

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB No. 133,” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 is intended to improve transparency in financial reporting by requiring enhanced disclosures of an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities and their effects on the entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 applies to all derivative instruments within the scope of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (“SFAS 133”). SFAS 161 also applies to non-derivative hedging instruments and all hedged items designated and qualifying under SFAS 133. SFAS 161 is effective prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. SFAS 161 encourages, but does not require, comparative disclosures for periods prior to its initial adoption. We will adopt SFAS 161 on January 1, 2009 and are currently evaluating the potential impact on our financial statements.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), until the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We adopted SFAS 157 for financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008. For additional information regarding SFAS 157, see Note 4.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations,” (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) requires us to continue to follow the guidance in SFAS 141 for certain aspects of business combinations, with additional guidance provided defining the acquirer, the accounting for transaction costs and contingent consideration, recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, assets and liabilities arising from contingencies, defining a bargain purchase and recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase. In addition, under SFAS 141(R), adjustments associated with changes in tax contingencies that occur after the measurement period, not to exceed one year, are recorded as adjustments to income. This statement is effective for all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008; however, the guidance in this standard regarding the treatment of income tax contingencies is retrospective to business combinations completed prior to January 1, 2009. We will adopt SFAS 141(R) for any business combinations occurring at or subsequent to January 1, 2009.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements,” an Amendment of ARB No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This

 

F-26


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008 with retrospective application. We will adopt SFAS 160 on January 1, 2009 and are currently evaluating the potential impact on our financial statements when implemented

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The expanded disclosures in this statement about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities should provide users of financial statements with better information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure recognized assets and liabilities, the inputs used to develop the measurements, and the effect of certain of the measurements on earnings (or changes in net assets) for the period. We adopted SFAS 157 for financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008. For additional information regarding SFAS 157, see Note 4.

(2) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS DISPOSITION

Discontinued Operations

On March 31, 2006, we completed the acquisition of Maytag. The results of Maytag’s operations have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning April 1, 2006. The following businesses acquired as part of the acquisition of Maytag were divested. Divesting these businesses allows us to focus on the core appliance business.

Amana commercial

On September 6, 2006, we sold the Amana commercial microwave business to Aga Foodservice Inc. for approximately $49 million. Revenues and costs for this business were classified as a component of discontinued operations during the second quarter of 2006. Due to our continuing involvement with the Amana commercial microwave business as an OEM supplier, we reclassified the operating results related to Amana commercial microwave business into continuing operations during the third quarter of 2006.

Dixie-Narco

On October 23, 2006, we completed the sale of the Dixie-Narco vending systems business to Crane Co. for approximately $46 million. The difference between the proceeds received and the net book value of the assets recorded was an adjustment to goodwill.

Hoover

On January 31, 2007, we completed the sale of the Hoover floor-care business to Techtronic Industries, Co., Ltd. for approximately $107 million. The difference between the proceeds received and the net book value of the assets recorded was an adjustment to goodwill.

Jade

On April 2, 2007, we completed the sale of the Jade commercial and residential products businesses to Middleby Corporation. The difference between the proceeds received and the net book value of the assets recorded was an adjustment to goodwill.

As part of the sale of each of the above operations, we retained certain liabilities associated with pension benefits and, in the case of Hoover, postretirement medical benefits for currently retired Hoover employees. In addition, with respect to the sale of the Dixie-Narco vending systems business, we retained certain environmental liabilities. For additional information about pension and postretirement benefits see Note 13.

 

F-27


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

The associated results of operations and cash flows related to the discontinued operations have been separately reported as of and for the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.

The following table includes certain income statement information related to the results of the Dixie-Narco, Hoover and Jade businesses:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 

Millions of dollars

   2007     2006  

Net sales

   $ 43     $ 443  

Loss before income taxes

     (10 )     (79 )

Income tax benefit

     3       26  
                

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   $ (7 )   $ (53 )
                

Business Disposition

On August 10, 2006, our Latin America region sold the remaining 30% interest in an equity investment. Proceeds from the sale were approximately $31 million. A pre-tax gain of $30 million was recognized and classified as interest and sundry income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

(3) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

Goodwill

Goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles are subject to an annual impairment analysis performed during the fourth quarter of each year by reporting unit. We determine the fair value of each reporting unit using discounted cash flows. Our reporting units include: North America, Europe, Multibras and Embraco (which combined is our Latin America reportable operating segment), and Asia. We performed the annual impairment tests and determined there is no impairment for any period presented.

The following table summarizes the net carrying amount of goodwill:

 

     December 31,

Reporting unit—Millions of dollars

   2008    2007

North America

   $ 1,724    $ 1,755

Embraco

     4      5
             

Total

   $ 1,728    $ 1,760
             

The changes in the carrying amounts for goodwill since December 31, 2007 are due primarily to adjustments of certain Maytag exit, relocation and employee termination excess reserves and pre-acquisition uncertain tax positions.

Other Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the net carrying amount of other intangible assets:

 

     December 31,    Estimated
Useful Life

Millions of dollars

   2008    2007   

Trademarks

   $ 1,511    $ 1,516    Indefinite life

Customer relationships

     242      258    18 years

Patents and other agreements

     68      80    6 to 10 years
                

Total other intangibles assets, net

   $ 1,821    $ 1,854   
                

 

F-28


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Amortization expense for each of the years 2009-2012 is estimated to be $30 million and for 2013 is estimated to be $22 million.

(4) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

As described in Note 1, we adopted SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008. SFAS 157, among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. SFAS 157 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, SFAS 157 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level 2) inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of three valuation techniques noted in SFAS 157. The three valuation techniques are identified in the table below and are as follows:

 

  (a)   Market approach—prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities

 

  (b)   Cost approach—amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost)

 

  (c)   Income approach—techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models)

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:

 

Millions of dollars

  December 31,
2008
    Quoted Prices In
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unbservable Inputs
(Level 3)
  Valuation
Technique
 

Available for sale investments

  $ 17     $ 17   $     $   (a )

Net derivative contracts

    (234 )         (234 )       (a )

During the December 2008 quarter, we recorded an impairment charge of $9 million in our Europe segment associated with an available for sale investment. The impairment charge was recorded in interest and sundry income (expense) in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2008.

There were no changes in our valuation techniques used to measure fair values on a recurring and nonrecurring basis as a result of adopting SFAS 157.

(5) INVENTORIES

 

December 31—Millions of dollars

   2008     2007  

Finished products

   $ 2,213     $ 2,232  

Work in process

     49       52  

Raw materials

     515       525  
                
     2,777       2,809  

Less excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost

     (186 )     (144 )
                

Total inventories

   $ 2,591     $ 2,665  
                

 

F-29


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

The decrease in inventories, when compared to December 31, 2007, is driven primarily by the impact of changes in foreign currency and an increased excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost.

LIFO inventories represent approximately 43% and 42% of total inventories at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. During the December 2008 quarter, we increased our excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost adjustment due to the impact of higher materials costs and lower productivity during 2008.

(6) FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

Debt

The following table summarizes our debt at December 31, 2008 and 2007:

 

Millions of dollars

   2008    2007

Debentures—9.1%, maturing 2008

   $    $ 125

Variable rate notes, maturing through 2009

     200      200

Senior note—8.6%, maturing 2010

     325      325

Senior note—6.125%, maturing 2011

     300      299

Medium-term note—5.5%, maturing 2013

     499     

Maytag medium-term note—6.5%, maturing 2014

     102      103

Maytag medium-term note—5.0%, maturing 2015

     190      189

Senior note—6.5%, maturing 2016

     249      249

Debentures—7.75%, maturing 2016

     243      243

Other (various maturing through 2016)

     96      62
             
     2,204      1,795

Less current maturities

     202      127
             

Total long-term debt, net of current maturities

   $ 2,002    $ 1,668
             

The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of our debt, including current maturities, at December 31, 2008:

 

Millions of dollars

    

2009

   $ 202

2010

     382

2011

     308

2012

     9

2013

     507

Thereafter

     796
      

Total debt

   $ 2,204
      

On February 1, 2008 our 9.1% debentures became due and we repaid the remaining balance of $125 million.

On February 28, 2008 we completed the issuance of $500 million 5.50% Notes due March 1, 2013 (“Notes”). The Notes were issued under an existing shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We pay interest semiannually on March 1 and September 1. The Notes contain a provision which requires Whirlpool to make an offer to purchase the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest if certain change of control events occur. The Notes are also subject to customary non-financial covenants.

 

F-30


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

We are in compliance with financial covenant requirements at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

The fair value of long-term debt (including current maturities) was $2,037 million and $1,879 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and was estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

Notes Payable

Notes payable consist of the following:

 

December 31—Millions of dollars

   2008    2007

Payable to banks

   $ 393    $ 164

Commercial paper

          134
             

Total notes payable

   $ 393    $ 298
             

Notes payable consist of short term borrowings payable to banks and commercial paper used to fund working capital requirements. The fair value of our notes payable approximates the carrying amount due to the short maturity of these obligations. The weighted-average interest rate on notes payable was 3.8% and 5.6% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

We have Credit Facilities which provide a $2.2 billion 5-year credit facility maturing on December 1, 2010, and include a $100 million letter of credit subfacility. Borrowings under the Credit Facilities are available to us and designated subsidiaries for general corporate purposes, including commercial paper support. Subsidiary borrowings under these facilities, if any, are guaranteed by us. Interest under the Credit Facilities accrues at a variable annual rate based on the LIBOR plus a margin dependent on our credit rating at that time. The Credit Facilities require us to meet certain leverage and interest coverage requirements. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, borrowings of $247 million and $0, respectively, were outstanding under these credit agreements and are included within notes payable in the table above. We are in compliance with financial covenant requirements at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

Whirlpool Financial Corporation

Whirlpool Financial Corporation (“WFC”) is a legal entity with assets consisting primarily of leveraged leases. WFC and Whirlpool are parties to a support agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, if at the close of any quarter WFC’s net earnings available for fixed charges (as defined) for the preceding twelve months is less than a stipulated amount, we are required to make a cash payment to WFC equal to the insufficiency within 60 days of the end of the quarter. We were not required to make any payments under this agreement during 2008, 2007, or 2006. The support agreement may be terminated by either WFC or us upon 30 days notice provided that certain conditions are met. We have also agreed to maintain ownership of at least 70% of WFC’s voting stock.

(7) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Guarantees

We have guarantee arrangements in a Brazilian subsidiary. As a standard business practice in Brazil, the subsidiary guarantees customer lines of credit at commercial banks to support purchases following its normal credit policies. If a customer were to default on its line of credit with the bank, our subsidiary would be required to satisfy the obligation with the bank, and the receivable would revert back to the subsidiary. At December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the guaranteed amounts totaled $203 million and $331 million, respectively. Our only recourse with respect to these arrangements would be legal or administrative collection efforts directed against the customer.

 

F-31


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

We provide guarantees of indebtedness and lines of credit for various consolidated subsidiaries. The maximum amount of credit facilities available under these lines for consolidated subsidiaries totaled $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. Our total outstanding bank indebtedness from guarantees totaled $364 million and $115 million at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

As of May 16, 2008, we guaranteed a $50 million five year revolving credit facility between certain financial institutions and a not-for-profit entity in connection with a community and economic development project (“Harbor Shores”). The fair value of the guarantee is nominal. The purpose of Harbor Shores is to stimulate employment and growth in the areas of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Michigan. In the event of default, we must satisfy the guarantee of the credit facility up to the amount borrowed at the date of default. For additional information about Harbor Shores see our 2008 Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of shareholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2008.

Warranty Reserves

Product warranty reserves are established in the same period that revenue from the sale of the related products is recognized. The amounts of those reserves are based on established terms and our best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. During 2007, we re-evaluated the cost of a voluntary recall of certain Maytag and Jenn-Air brand dishwashers that were associated with inventory from the acquisition of Maytag. As such, we increased the warranty liability as a purchase accounting adjustment in the opening balance sheet at March 31, 2006 with a corresponding increase to recorded goodwill. This amount is included in “Acquisition” in the table below.

The following represents a reconciliation of the changes in product warranty reserves for the periods presented:

 

Millions of dollars

   2008     2007  

Balance at January 1

   $ 226     $ 284  

Acquistion

           53  

Warranties issued during the period

     417       423  

Settlements made during the period

     (411 )     (546 )

Other changes

     (17 )     12  
                

Balance at December 31

   $ 215     $ 226  
                

Current portion

   $ 174     $ 172  

Non-current portion

     41       54  
                

Total

   $ 215     $ 226  
                

Product warranty reserves are included within other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

F-32


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Operating Lease Commitments

At December 31, 2008, we had noncancelable operating lease commitments totaling $582 million. The annual future minimum lease payments are summarized by year in the table below:

 

Millions of dollars

    

2009

   $ 150

2010

     114

2011

     91

2012

     68

2013

     58

Thereafter

     101
      

Total noncancelable operating lease commitments

   $ 582
      

Our rent expense was $201 million, $183 million and $154 million for the years 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Purchase Obligations

Our expected cash outflows resulting from purchase obligations are summarized by year in the table below:

 

Millions of dollars

    

2009

   $ 288

2010

     320

2011

     272

2012

     123

2013

     71

Thereafter

     8
      

Total purchase obligations

   $ 1,082
      

Legal Contingencies

The Brazilian Constitution provides a general basis for recognizing tax credits on the purchase of raw materials used in production (“IPI tax credit”). Certain raw materials that are exempt or have a zero tax basis in the production process qualify for these IPI tax credits. Based on legal precedent, in 2003 and 2004, we recognized tax credits in an aggregate amount of $25 million adjusted for currency. No credits were recognized in 2005 through 2008. The Brazilian tax authority has challenged the recording of IPI tax credits. The Brazilian Supreme Court, which rules on a case by case basis, ruled adversely against another taxpayer in an IPI tax credit case. That ruling is not yet final. Our case is being defended at an administrative level. Our potential exposure ranges from zero to $60 million comprised of $25 million in taxes, $18 million in interest and $17 million in penalties. It is not possible to determine the outcome of these legal proceedings with certainty and as such, we have not accrued a liability for this exposure at December 31, 2008.

In 1989, a Brazilian affiliate (now a subsidiary) brought an action against a financial institution in Brazil seeking a “Declaration of Non-Enforceability of Obligations” relating to loan documentation entered into without authority by a senior officer of the affiliate. In September 2000, an adverse decision in the declaratory action became final. In 2001, the financial institution began a collection action and we responded with a counterclaim. The lower court dismissed the counterclaim in 2002 and the Superior Court confirmed the lower court decision in December 2005. The Superior Court dismissed our counterclaim in 2007. In late 2008, the lower court issued a

 

F-33


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

decision in the collection action in favor of the financial institution in the amount of 283 million Brazilian Real (approximately $121 million U.S., based on recent exchange rates), plus judicial adjustments, which could be significant. We have appealed this decision. Based on our outside counsel’s assessment of the case, the amount previously accrued for our estimated exposure for this litigation remains unchanged. However, the amount of the final award, if any, may be materially different than the amount we have accrued.

On February 17, 2009, we received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice requesting documents relating to an antitrust investigation of the global compressor industry. Whirlpool subsidiaries in Brazil and Italy were visited on the same day by competition authorities seeking similar information. We intend to cooperate with these investigations. It is not possible at this time to predict the likely outcome or impact of these investigations.

We are currently defending a number of class action suits in federal and state courts alleging breach of warranty, fraud and violation of state consumer protection acts. There are no allegations of any personal injury or property damage. However, unspecified compensatory damages are being sought. We believe these suits are without merit. We intend to vigorously defend these actions.

We are involved in various other legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management, after taking into consideration legal counsel’s evaluation of such actions, is of the opinion that the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect, if any, on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Product Recalls

We regularly engage in investigations of potential quality and safety issues as part of our ongoing effort to deliver quality products to customers. We are currently investigating a limited number of potential quality and safety issues. As necessary, we undertake to effect repair or replacement of appliances in the event that an investigation leads to the conclusion that such action is warranted.

We currently expect to undertake a corrective action to address a supplier-related quality and potential product safety problem that may affect 1 million appliances manufactured between 2001 and 2003. We have accrued $31.5 million for this matter based on our current estimate of the costs of the action.

On March 21, 2007, we announced a voluntary recall related to approximately 250,000 Maytag brand front-load washing machines. The cost of this recall will be paid by the OEM supplier.

On February 1, 2007, Maytag Corporation announced a voluntary recall of approximately 2.3 million Maytag and Jenn-Air brand dishwashers. We originally estimated the cost of the recall to be $82 million, which we recorded as an assumed liability in our purchase price allocation related to the acquisition of Maytag, with a corresponding increase to recorded goodwill. As of September 30, 2008, we had revised this estimate to $102 million due to an anticipated increase in the response rate. The incremental increase of $20 million was charged to cost of products sold in our Consolidated Statements of Income during 2008. Of this $102 million accrual, we have approximately $7 million remaining at December 31, 2008.

(8) HEDGES AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, domestic and foreign interest rates, and commodity prices. Fluctuations in these rates and prices can affect our operating results and financial condition. We manage the exposure to these market risks through operating and financing activities and through the use of derivative financial instruments. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

 

F-34


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Using derivative markets means assuming counterparty credit risk. Counterparty credit risk relates to the loss we could incur if a counterparty defaulted on a derivative contract. We primarily deal with investment-grade counterparties and monitor the overall credit risk and exposure to individual counterparties. We do not anticipate nonperformance by any counterparties. The amount of counterparty credit exposure is the unrealized gains on such derivative contracts. We do not require, nor do we post, collateral or security on such contracts.

The following table summarizes our outstanding derivative contracts at December 31, 2008 and 2007:

 

          Notional Amount in
Millions of dollars
         

Exposure

   Derivative        2008            2007        Hedge Type    Term

Forecasted cross currency cash flows

   Foreign exchange
forwards/options
   $ 1,831    $ 2,023    Cash flow or fair
value hedge
   Various, up to 18
months

Non-functional currency asset/liability

   Foreign exchange
forwards/options
   $ 1,130    $ 1,154    Undesignated    Various, up to 11
months

Raw material purchases

   Commodity swaps    $ 217    $ 294    Cash flow or fair
value hedge
   Various, up to 35
months

Raw material purchases

   Commodity swaps    $ 45    $ 23    Undesignated    Various, up to 11
months

Floating rate debt

   Interest rate swap    $ 50    $ 50    Cash flow hedge    2009

Fixed rate debt

   Interest rate swaps    $    $ 100    Fair value hedge    2008

Floating rate debt

   Interest rate swaps    $    $ 150    Cash flow hedge    2008

Forecasted cross currency cash flows relate primarily to foreign currency denominated expenditures and intercompany financing agreements, royalty agreements and dividends. Non-functional currency asset and liability hedges are undesignated but relate primarily to short term payables and receivables and intercompany loans. Commodity swaps relate to raw material purchases (for example, copper and aluminum) used in the manufacturing process. Unrealized gains and losses relating to these foreign exchange forwards/options and commodity swaps were a loss of $233 million and a loss of $3 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

An interest rate swap with a notional amount of $50 million maturing in 2009 is designated and accounted for as a cash flow hedge on future cash payments. The fair value of this contract was a loss of $1 million and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. During 2008, certain interest rate swaps matured associated with fixed and floating rate debt with notional amounts of $100 million and $150 million, respectively.

Gains and losses related to the ineffective portion of our hedging instruments were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

The amount of unrealized loss on derivative instruments included in accumulated other comprehensive income related to contracts maturing, and expected to be realized during 2009 is $141 million at December 31, 2008.

During November and December 2008, we cash settled certain foreign currency derivative contracts prior to their scheduled settlement dates. As a result of these transactions, we received $82 million in cash, which represented the fair value of these contracts at the date of settlement. In accordance with SFAS 133, effective gains of $82 million were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged forecasted transactions affect earnings. These gains will then be recorded as a reduction in cost of products sold on our

 

F-35


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Consolidated Statements of Income. Approximately $10 million in gains were recorded into earnings during the December 2008 quarter. There was no ineffectiveness related to these settled foreign currency derivative contracts.

(9) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Repurchase Program

In June 2004, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $500 million. During 2007, we repurchased 3.8 million shares at an aggregate purchase price of $368 million and during the three months ended March 31, 2008, we repurchased 1.1 million shares at an aggregate purchase price of $97 million under this program. At March 31, 2008, there were no remaining funds authorized under this program.

On April 23, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $500 million. Share repurchases are made from time to time on the open market as conditions warrant. During 2008, we repurchased 1.9 million shares at an aggregate purchase price of $150 million under this program. At December 31, 2008, there were $350 million remaining funds authorized under this program.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income primarily includes (1) our reported net earnings, (2) foreign currency translation, (3) changes in the effective portion of our open derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges, (4) changes in our unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit obligations (post adoption of SFAS 158) and (5) changes in fair value of our available for sale securities.

The following table shows the components of accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, and the activity for the years then ended:

 

Millions of dollars

  Foreign
Currency
    Derivative
Instruments
    Additional
Minimum
Pension
Liability
    Unrecognized
Pension and
Postretirement
Liability
    Marketable
Securities
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2005

  $ (545 )   $     $ (317 )   $     $     $ (862 )
                                               

Additional minimum pension liability adjustments

                194                   194  

Unrealized gain

    173       52                         225  

Tax effect

    (4 )     (4 )     (78 )                 (86 )
                                               

Net of tax

    169       48       116                   333  

Adoption of SFAS 158, net

                201       (315 )           (114 )
                                               

Balance at December 31, 2006

    (376 )     48             (315 )           (643 )
                                               

Unrealized gain (loss)

    309       (69 )                 17       257  

SFAS 158

                      225             225  

Tax effect

    (34 )     4             (79 )           (109 )
                                               

Net of tax

    275       (65 )           146       17       373  
                                               

Balance at December 31, 2007

    (101 )     (17 )           (169 )     17       (270 )
                                               

Unrealized loss

    (458 )     (150 )                 (10 )     (618 )

SFAS 158

                      (726 )           (726 )

Tax effect

    34       47             274             355  
                                               

Net of tax

    (424 )     (103 )           (452 )     (10 )     (989 )
                                               

Balance at December 31, 2008

  $ (525 )   $ (120 )   $     $ (621 )   $ 7     $ (1,259 )
                                               

 

F-36


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Net Earnings per Share

Diluted net earnings per share of common stock include the dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based compensation plans. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, a total of approximately 2,728,410 options, 1,709,000 options and 2,021,000 options, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise prices would render them anti-dilutive.

Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were calculated as follows:

 

Millions of dollars and shares

   2008    2007    2006

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share—earnings from continuing operations

   $ 418    $ 647    $ 486
                    

Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted-average shares

     75.1      78.5      75.1

Effect of dilutive securities—stock-based compensation

     0.9      1.4      1.4
                    

Denominator for diluted earnings per share—adjusted weighted-average shares

     76.0      79.9      76.5
                    

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

Rights to repurchase preferred stock under the Rights Agreement dated April 12, 1998 expired on May 22, 2008 pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement.

(10) STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLANS

We sponsor several share-based employee incentive plans. Share-based compensation expense for grants awarded under these plans was $30 million, $40 million and $37 million in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Related income tax benefits recognized in earnings were $11 million, $15 million and $14 million in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.

Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option and RSU awards as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 totaled $38 million and $54 million, respectively. The cost of these non-vested awards is recognized over the estimated requisite service period. The weighted-average remaining vesting period of the non-vested awards is approximately 22 months.

Share-Based Employee Incentive Plans

On April 17, 2007, our shareholders approved the 2007 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (“2007 OSIP”). This plan was previously adopted by our Board of Directors on February 20, 2007 and provides for the issuance of stock options, performance stock units, performance shares, restricted stock and restricted stock equivalents with terms of no more than 10 years. We have reserved 3,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance, as authorized under this plan, of which 2,208,245 remain available for issuance at December 31, 2008.

The 2007 OSIP replaced the 1998, 2000 and 2002 OSIPs (“Old Plans”). The Old Plans will remain in existence solely for the purpose of addressing the rights of holders of already granted existing awards. Prior to the approval of the 2007 OSIP, we granted 453,620 options, with an exercise price of $94.47 and a 10-year term and 256,527 restricted stock units in 2007. No additional awards will be granted under the Old Plans. Any shares subject to outstanding awards granted under the old plans that subsequently lapse, expire, are forfeited or are cancelled are available for grant under the 2007 OSIP.

 

F-37


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Stock Options

Eligible employees receive stock options as a portion of their total compensation. Such options generally become exercisable over a three-year period, expire 10 years from the date of grant and are subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment.

We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options granted to employees. Granted options have exercise prices equal to the market price of Whirlpool common stock on the grant date. The principal assumptions utilized in valuing options include: (1) risk-free interest rate—an estimate based on the yield of U.S. zero coupon securities with a maturity equal to the expected life of the option; (2) expected volatility—an estimate based on the historical volatility of Whirlpool common stock for a period equal to the expected life of the option; and (3) expected option life—an estimate based on historical experience. Based on the results of the model, the weighted-average fair values of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 were $21.03, $22.54, $22.07, respectively, using the following assumptions:

 

Weighted Average Black-Scholes Assumptions

   2008    2007    2006

Risk-free interest rate

   3.0%    4.7%    4.6%

Expected volatility

   28.1%    22.6%    25.6%

Expected dividend yield

   2.0%    1.9%    2.1%

Expected option life

   5 years    5 years    5 years

Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006:

 

     2008    2007    2006

Thousands of shares, except per share data

   Number
of Options
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
   Number
of Options
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
   Number
of Options
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

Outstanding at January 1

   4,304     $ 90.71    5,013     $ 84.97    3,733     $ 60.37

Granted

   698       85.32    457       94.48    2,249       117.56

Exercised

   (399 )     60.38    (1,052 )     63.19    (871 )     63.11

Canceled or expired

   (466 )     131.72    (114 )     106.10    (98 )     90.20
                                      

Outstanding at December 31

   4,137     $ 87.81    4,304     $ 90.71    5,013     $ 84.97
                                      

Exercisable at December 31

   3,214     $ 87.39    3,564     $ 90.70    4,488     $ 79.47
                                      

During the year ended December 31, 2006, we granted 2,249,000 stock options of which 1,778,000 relate to Maytag options that were converted to Whirlpool options on the date of the Maytag acquisition at a weighted average grant price of $125.10.

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $10 million, $39 million and $20 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The related tax benefits were $3 million, $15 million and $8 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of stock options was $21 million, $68 million, and $54 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

F-38


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

The fair value of stock options vested was $7 million, $5 million and $32 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Of the $32 million that vested in 2006, $27 million related to the acquisition of Maytag.

The table below summarizes additional information related to stock options outstanding at December 31, 2008:

 

Options in thousands

   Outstanding Net
of Expected
Forfeitures
   Options
Exercisable

Number of options

     3,975      3,214

Weighted-average exercise price

   $ 87.72    $ 87.39

Weighted-average remaining contractual term, in years

     5.0      4.2

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding (net of expected forfeitures) and options exercisable was nominal at December 31, 2008.

Restricted Stock Units

Eligible employees receive Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”) as a portion of their total compensation. RSU awards vest over various time periods depending upon the program, but generally vest from three years to seven years and convert to unrestricted common stock at the conclusion of the vesting period. All or a portion of an award may be canceled if employment is terminated before the end of the relevant vesting period. Certain awards accrue dividend equivalents on outstanding RSUs (in the form of additional RSUs) based on dividends declared on Whirlpool common stock. We measure compensation cost based on the closing market price of Whirlpool common stock at the grant date.

The following table summarizes RSU activity during the year ended December 31, 2008:

 

RSUs in thousands

   Number of RSUs     Weighted- Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

Non-vested, December 31, 2007

   1,499     $ 87.55

Granted

   310       55.83

Canceled

   (524 )     77.61

Vested and transferred to unrestricted

   (177 )     71.86
            

Non-vested, December 31, 2008

   1,108     $ 77.66
            

Nonemployee Director Equity Plan

Our Nonemployee Director Equity Plan provides for (1) a one time grant of 1,000 shares of common stock made at the time a director first joins the Board; (2) an annual grant of stock options, with the number of options to be determined by dividing $36,000 by the product of the fair market value of a single share of our common stock on the final trading day before the annual meeting of stockholders multiplied by 0.35; and (3) an annual grant of stock, with the number of shares to be issued to the director determined by dividing $54,000 by the average fair market value of a single share of our common stock for the final three trading days before the grant. The exercise price under each option granted is the fair market value of the common stock on the last trading day before the annual meeting of stockholders.

 

F-39


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

(11) RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

Under our ongoing global operating platform initiatives, we implemented certain restructuring initiatives to strengthen our leadership position in the global appliance industry. We plan to continue a comprehensive worldwide effort to optimize our regional manufacturing facilities, supply base, product platforms and technology resources to support our global brands and customers.

We incurred total restructuring charges of $149 million, $61 million, $55 million during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006 respectively. These charges are included in restructuring in our Consolidated Statements of Income and other long-term liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and primarily consist of charges to restructure the cooking platform in Latin America, shift refrigeration and dishwasher capacity to lower cost regions in Europe and North America, restructure the laundry platform in North America and Europe and reorganize the salaried workforce throughout Europe and North America.

On October 27, 2008, management committed to a workforce reduction plan whereby we will reduce our employee base worldwide beginning during the fourth quarter of 2008 and through the beginning of 2010. We expect to incur approximately $110 million in employee termination costs, $19 million in asset impairment costs and $1 million in other associated costs for a total of $130 million that will be incurred as a result of this workforce reduction. During the December 2008 quarter we incurred charges of $64 million associated with this workforce reduction, which are included in the $149 million in total restructuring charges discussed above. As of December 31, 2008, approximately $66 million of these workforce reduction costs remain, of which $51 million will result in future cash expenditures.

Our 2008 restructuring initiatives are reducing our overall workforce by approximately 5,000 employees and contractors worldwide through the beginning of 2010. We expect to incur additional costs of $39 million in our Europe region, $7 million in our Latin America region, $18 million in our North American region and $2 million in corporate expenses through the beginning of 2010 related to these initiatives. For additional information about restructuring charges by business segment, see Note 14.

Maytag integration restructuring accruals resulted from the closing of the Newton, Iowa, Herrin, Illinois and Searcy, Arkansas laundry manufacturing plants as well as the former headquarters and other administrative offices during 2006. The costs accrued are recorded in other long-term liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding initial amount recorded to goodwill. As of March 31, 2008, we revised our estimate and reduced certain Maytag exit, relocation and employee termination accruals which resulted in a corresponding decrease to goodwill. No additional revisions were made during the remainder of 2008.

 

F-40


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

A summary of our restructuring liability balance and full year restructuring activity for 2008, 2007, 2006 is as follows:

 

Millions of dollars

  January 1,
Balance
  Maytag
Acquistion
  Charge to
Earnings
  Cash
Paid
    Non-Cash     Revision of
Estimate
    Translation     December 31,
Balance

2008

               

Termination costs

  $ 56   $   $ 134   $ (86 )   $     $ (21 )   $ (1 )   $ 82

Non-employee exit costs

    44         15     (12 )     (18 )     (7 )           22
                                                       

Total

  $ 100   $   $ 149   $ (98 )   $ (18 )   $ (28 )   $ (1 )   $ 104
                                                       

2007

               

Termination costs

  $ 128   $   $ 34   $ (95 )   $     $ (13 )   $ 2     $ 56

Non-employee exit costs

    49         27     (30 )     (18 )     16             44
                                                       

Total

  $ 177   $   $ 61   $ (125 )   $ (18 )   $ 3     $ 2     $ 100
                                                       

2006

               

Termination costs

  $ 15   $ 134   $ 26   $ (100 )   $     $ 51     $ 2     $ 128

Non-employee exit costs

    4     35     29     (15 )     (20 )     16             49
                                                       

Total

  $ 19   $ 169   $ 55   $ (115 )   $ (20 )   $ 67     $ 2     $ 177
                                                       

(12) INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense is as follows:

 

Year ended December 31—Millions of dollars

       2008             2007             2006      

Current:

      

Federal

   $ 9     $ (28 )   $ 125  

State and local

     14       8       (7 )

Foreign

     66       128       68  
                        
     89       108       186  

Deferred:

      

Federal

     (309 )     28       (112 )

State and local

     (31 )     3       1  

Foreign

     50       (22 )     51  
                        
     (290 )     9       (60 )
                        

Total income tax (benefit) expense

   $ (201 )   $ 117     $ 126  
                        

Domestic and foreign earnings (loss) before income taxes and other items are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31—Millions of dollars

      2008             2007           2006    

Domestic

  $ (433 )   $ 103   $ 231

Foreign

    679       701     388
                   

Total earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income tax and other items

  $ 246     $ 804   $ 619
                   

 

F-41


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Reconciliations between tax expense at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and the consolidated effective income tax rate for earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and other items are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31

   2008     2007     2006  

Income tax rate computed at U.S. federal statutory rate

   35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

U.S. foreign tax credits

   (73.9 )   (2.2 )   (5.3 )

U.S. tax on foreign dividends and subpart F income

   66.6     0.7     2.9  

U.S. government tax incentives

   (42.6 )   (3.7 )   (10.2 )

Foreign government tax incentive

   (34.5 )   (7.6 )   (2.7 )

Deductible interest on capital

   (13.4 )   (2.7 )   (3.1 )

Foreign tax rate differential

   (9.4 )   (1.4 )   1.6  

Settlement of global tax audits

   (8.6 )   2.7     2.6  

State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit

   (6.7 )   1.0     0.3  

Real estate donations

       (1.1 )    

Medicare Part D subsidy

       (0.6 )   (1.1 )

Impact of tax rate changes

   0.7     1.9      

Valuation allowances

   2.1     (7.1 )   0.3  

Foreign withholding taxes

   4.7     1.9     2.3  

Other items, net

   (1.7 )   (2.3 )   (2.2 )
                  

Effective tax rate

   (81.7 )%   14.5 %   20.4 %
                  

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities used for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

 

F-42


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Significant components of our deferred tax liabilities and assets from continuing operations are as follows:

 

December 31—Millions of dollars

   2008     2007  

Deferred tax liabilities

    

Property, plant and equipment

   $ 229     $ 262  

Financial services leveraged leases

     22       25  

Pensions

     17       17  

Software costs

     12       17  

LIFO inventory

     86       81  

Intangibles

     633       633  

Other

     164       163  
                

Total deferred tax liabilities

     1,163       1,198  
                

Deferred tax assets

    

Postretirement obligations

     470       492  

Inventory prepayments

     323        

Pensions

     439       189  

Restructuring costs

     28       30  

Product warranty accrual

     75       85  

Receivable and inventory allowances

     57       46  

Capital loss carryforwards

           19  

Loss carryforwards

     306       286  

Employee payroll and benefits

     87       128  

Foreign tax credit carryforwards

     4       102  

U.S. general business credit carryforwards

     175       88  

Hedging

     109       2  

Accrued expenses

     68       128  

Other

     218       135  
                

Total deferred tax assets

     2,359       1,730  
                

Valuation allowances for deferred tax assets

     (147 )     (72 )
                

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances

     2,212       1,658  
                

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 1,049     $ 460  
                

At December 31, 2008, we have net operating loss carryforwards of $1,380 million, $789 million of which do not expire, with substantially all of the remaining expiring in various years through 2013. As of December 31, 2008, we had $4 million of foreign tax credit carryforwards and $175 million of U.S. general business credit carryforwards available to offset future payments of federal income taxes, expiring between 2016 and 2028.

We routinely review the future realization of deferred tax assets based on projected future reversal of taxable temporary differences, available tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income. We have recorded a valuation allowance to reflect the net estimated amount of certain deferred tax assets associated with net operating loss and other deferred tax assets we believe will be realized. Our recorded valuation allowance of $147 million at December 31, 2008 consists of $86 million of net operating loss carryforwards and $61 million of other deferred tax assets. We believe that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of existing deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances mentioned above.

We have historically reinvested all unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries and affiliates. We plan to distribute approximately $147 million of foreign earnings over the next several years. This distribution is forecasted to result in tax benefits which have not been recorded because of their contingent nature. There has

 

F-43


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

been no deferred tax liability provided on the remaining amount of unremitted earnings of $1.8 billion at December 31, 2008. Should we make a distribution out of the $1.8 billion of unremitted earnings, we would be subject to additional U.S. taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to the various foreign countries. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of the deferred tax liability associated with these unremitted earnings.

On October 3, 2008, The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act includes a wide-range of provisions that are intended to ensure that conservation and efficiency are a central component to the United States energy strategy. Among the many provisions of this legislation are manufacturers’ tax credits for the accelerated U.S. production of super-efficient clothes washers, refrigerators and dishwashers that meet or exceed certain Energy Star thresholds for energy and water conservation levels as set by the U.S. Department of Energy (“Energy Credit”). The tax credits apply to eligible production during the 2008 to 2010 calendar years provided the production of qualifying product in any individual year exceeds a rolling two year baseline of production. We have historically, and will continue to, invest over 2% of our annual sales in research and development to provide innovative and energy efficient products that meet these standards for our customers. As a result, during the December 2008 quarter and in future periods through 2010 we expect to record a tax credit benefit under the provisions of the Act related to the production of qualifying appliances. Including the Energy Credit, total general business tax credits recorded during 2008 reduced our effective tax rate by 43%.

We are in various stages of audits by certain governmental tax authorities. We establish liabilities for the difference between tax return provisions and the benefits recognized in our financial statements. Such amounts represent a reasonable provision for taxes ultimately expected to be paid, and may need to be adjusted over time as more information becomes known.

We adopted FIN 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB 109” (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007, at which time the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefit on the Consolidated Balance Sheet was $166 million. Upon adoption of FIN 48, we recognized a $2 million increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and a $2 million decrease in federal benefit related to state uncertain tax positions. The increase has been accounted for as a reduction to retained earnings in the amount of $8 million and a reduction to goodwill in the amount of $4 million. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

Millions of dollars

       2008             2007      

Balance, January 1

   $ 189     $ 166  

Additions for tax positions of the current year

     4       36  

Additions for tax positions of the prior year

     2       20  

Reductions for tax positions of prior years for:

    

Changes in judgment

     (39 )     (28 )

Settlements during the period

     (37 )     (4 )

Lapses of applicable statute of limitation

           (1 )
                

Balance, December 31

   $ 119     $ 189  
                

Included in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are $119 and $141 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would impact the effective tax rate, net of $16 million and $16 million, respectively, of federal benefits related to state uncertain tax positions.

We recognize charges related to interest and penalties for unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, we have accrued interest and penalties of $25 and $40 million, respectively. Interest and penalties are not included in the tabular rollforward of unrecognized tax benefits above.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal, various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to any significant U.S. federal, state, local or foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2006. The Internal Revenue Service commenced an examination of our U.S. income tax returns for 2006 and 2007 in the fourth quarter of 2008 that is anticipated to be completed during early 2010. It is reasonably possible that certain unrecognized tax benefits of $1 million could be settled with the related jurisdictions during the next 12 months.

(13) PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT MEDICAL BENEFITS PLANS

We have funded and unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of our North American employees and certain European, Asian and Brazilian employees. The formula for U.S. salaried employees covered under the defined benefit plan sponsored by Whirlpool was based on years of service and final average salary, while the formula for U.S. hourly employees covered under the defined benefit plans sponsored by Whirlpool was based on specific dollar amounts for each year of service. There were multiple formulas for employees covered under the defined benefit plan sponsored by Maytag, including a cash balance formula. The U.S. plans are frozen for the majority of participants. An enhanced defined contribution plan is being provided to affected employees subsequent to the pension plan freezes and is not classified within the net periodic benefit cost.

The U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plans provide that in the event of a plan termination within five years (36 months for the defined benefit plan sponsored by Maytag) following a change in control of Whirlpool, any assets held by the plans in excess of the amounts needed to fund accrued benefits would be used to provide additional benefits to plan participants. A change in control generally means either a change in the majority of the incumbent Board of Directors or an acquisition of 25% (30% for purposes of the Whirlpool Production Employees Retirement Plans and 20% for purposes of the defined benefit plan sponsored by Maytag) or more of the voting power of Whirlpool’s outstanding stock.

We provide postretirement health care benefits for eligible retired U.S. employees. Eligible retirees include those who were full-time employees with 10 years of service who attained age 55 while in service with us and those union retirees who met the eligibility requirements of their collective bargaining agreements. In general, the postretirement health care plans are contributory with participants’ contributions adjusted annually and generally include cost-sharing provisions that limit our exposure for recent and future retirees. The plans are unfunded. We reserve the right to modify the benefits. We provide no significant postretirement medical benefits to non-U.S. employees.

Amended Plans

On August 1, 2008, certain retiree medical benefits for the retirees and remaining active participants associated with our Newton, Iowa manufacturing facility were amended (Newton Amendment), effective January 1, 2009, to be consistent with those benefits provided by the Whirlpool Corporation Group Benefit Plan. The result of this amendment was a reduction in the postretirement benefit obligation of $229 million with a corresponding increase to other comprehensive income, net of tax.

In conjunction with the Newton Amendment, we initiated legal proceedings with certain retirees and the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America to seek a declaratory judgment that Whirlpool has the right to change retiree medical benefits after July 31, 2008, the expiration date of the collective bargaining agreement. In response, a similar group of retirees has initiated legal proceedings against Whirlpool asserting the above benefits are vested. We believe the outcome of the legal proceedings against Whirlpool will not have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December of 2007, The Maytag Corporation Employees Retirement Plan was amended to cease all benefit accruals effective December 31, 2007 for the production plant in Amana, Iowa. An enhanced defined

 

F-45


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

contribution benefit was provided to eligible affected employees subsequent to the effective date of the plan amendment. Also, effective for retirements on and after January 1, 2008, a retirement supplement of $300 per month will be provided for 24 months following the retirement of eligible Amana hourly employees retiring during the term of the current union agreement. The effect of this amendment was to increase the PBO at December 31, 2007 by approximately $2 million.

In July of 2007, we announced certain changes to the Whirlpool Retiree Healthcare Plan that took effect on January 1, 2008 and January 1, 2009. These changes include an adjustment to the Retiree Health Savings Account (RHSA) credit received by certain groups of heritage Maytag and heritage Whirlpool employees, the substitution of post-65 drug coverage with a credit or adjusted notional account that may be used to offset the cost of Medicare Part D premiums or other employer-sponsored medical coverage for certain groups of heritage Maytag and heritage Whirlpool retirees; and the replacement of certain heritage Maytag retiree medical plans with PPO coverage offered under the Whirlpool Retiree Healthcare Plan. As a result of these changes, we recognized a reduction in our long-term post-employment obligation of $82 million. An additional $46 million reduction in the long-term post-employment benefit obligation was realized as a result of a change in discount rate consistent with the July 1, 2007 remeasurement date. The offsetting credit was recorded, net of the related deferred tax asset, as an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income.

The U.S. heritage Whirlpool and Maytag pension plans were amended to cease benefit accruals for the majority of salaried and non-union participants effective December 31, 2006. For heritage Whirlpool salaried employees who are eligible to retire before January 1, 2010, the plan freeze will be effective December 31, 2009. The Whirlpool Production Employees Retirement Plans (“WPERP”) at Fort Smith and LaVergne, which cover union employees, were amended to cease all benefit accruals effective June 30, 2007 and January 31, 2007, respectively. An enhanced defined contribution plan is being provided to affected employees subsequent to the plan freezes.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 required changes in the basis for calculating lump sum payments effective January 1, 2008. The effect of these changes reduced the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) at December 31, 2007 by approximately $39 million.

401(k) Defined Contribution Plan

We maintain a 401(k) defined contribution plan covering substantially all U.S. employees. Our matching contributions for most employees are based on the level of individual participants’ contributions and, for certain domestic union hourly and certain salaried Whirlpool employees who are eligible to retire on or before December 31, 2009, are based on annual operating results and the level of individual participants’ contributions. We also make automatic company contributions for eligible employees in an amount equal to 3% of the employee’s eligible pay. Our contributions amounted to the following amounts:

 

Millions of dollars

   2008    2007    2006

401 (k) Company contributions

   $ 70    $ 68    $ 29

Adoption of SFAS No. 158

On December 31, 2006, we adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158 “Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of SFAS Nos. 87, 88, 106 and 132R” (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires that we recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2006, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income at adoption represents the net unrecognized actuarial losses and

 

F-46


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

unrecognized prior service costs and credits, which were previously netted against the plans’ funded status in our Consolidated Balance Sheets pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions” and SFAS 106. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic (benefit) cost pursuant to our accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic (benefit) cost in the same periods will be recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. These gains and losses will be subsequently recognized as a component of net periodic (benefit) cost on the same basis as the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss at adoption of SFAS 158.

The incremental effects of adopting SFAS 158 on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2006 are presented in the following table:

 

Millions of dollars

   Before Adopting
SFAS 158
    Adjustments to
Adopt
SFAS 158
    After Adopting
SFAS 158
 

Assets

      

Noncurrent benefit asset

   $ 12     $ (12 )   $  

Intangible asset

     38       (38 )      

Deferred tax asset

     115       63       178  

Liabilities

      

Current benefit liability

           113       113  

Noncurrent benefit liability

     2,031       14       2,045  

Stockholders’ Equity

      

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (201 )     (114 )     (315 )

We use a December 31 measurement date for our pension and postretirement benefit plans.

Obligations and Funded Status at End of Year

 

     U.S. Pension Benefits     Foreign Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 

Millions of dollars

       2008             2007             2008             2007         2008     2007  

Funded Status

            

Fair value of plan assets

   $ 2,212     $ 3,062     $ 156     $ 180     $     $  

Benefit obligations

     3,547       3,580       342       393       904       1,151  
                                                

Funded status

   $ (1,335 )   $ (518 )   $ (186 )   $ (213 )   $ (904 )   $ (1,151 )
                                                

Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position

            

Noncurrent asset

   $     $     $ 3     $ 13     $     $  

Current liability

     (12 )     (8 )     (7 )     (10 )     (82 )     (90 )

Noncurrent liability

     (1,323 )     (510 )     (182 )     (216 )     (822 )     (1,061 )
                                                

Amount recognized

   $ (1,335 )   $ (518 )   $ (186 )   $ (213 )   $ (904 )   $ (1,151 )
                                                

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (pre-tax)

            

Net actuarial loss

   $ 1,187     $ 275     $ 41     $ 31     $ 75     $ 131  

Prior service (credit)/cost

     (23 )     (23 )     4       4       (290 )     (150 )

Transition (asset)/obligation

                 (1 )     (1 )     1       1  
                                                

Amount recognized

   $ 1,164     $ 252     $ 44     $ 34     $ (214 )   $ (18 )
                                                

 

F-47


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

The PBO and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with a PBO in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

     U.S. Pension Benefits    Foreign Pension Benefits

Millions of dollars

   2008    2007    2008    2007

PBO

   $ 3,547    $ 3,580    $ 275    $ 280

Fair value of plan assets

     2,212      3,062      85      55

The PBO, ABO and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with an ABO in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

     U.S. Pension Benefits    Foreign Pension Benefits

Millions of dollars

   2008    2007    2008    2007

PBO

   $ 3,547    $ 3,580    $ 213    $ 274

ABO

     3,537      3,559      204      259

Fair value of plan assets

     2,212      3,062      27      50

Change in Benefit Obligation

 

     U.S. Pension Benefits     Foreign Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement
Benefits
 

Millions of dollars

       2008             2007             2008               2007               2008             2007      

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

   $ 3,580     $ 3,777     $ 393     $ 360     $ 1,151     $ 1,304  

Service cost

     14       25       7       7       21       22  

Interest cost

     211       215       22       19       66       73  

Plan participants’ contributions

                 2       2       18       16  

Actuarial (gain)/loss

     52       (19 )     (3 )     (23 )     (56 )     (80 )

Gross benefits paid

     (305 )     (381 )     (30 )     (26 )     (113 )     (112 )

less: federal subsidy on benefits paid

                             5       5  

Plan amendments

     1       (37 )                 (182 )     (82 )

Acquisitions/divestitures

                       (1 )            

New plans

                 9       23             1  

Curtailments

                 (17 )                  

Settlements

     (6 )           (1 )     (1 )            

Foreign currency exchange rates

                 (40 )     33       (6 )     4  
                                                

Benefit obligation, end of year

   $ 3,547     $ 3,580     $ 342     $ 393     $ 904     $ 1,151  
                                                

ABO, end of year

   $ 3,537     $ 3,559     $ 326     $ 374     $     $  
                                                

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligation at End of Year

 

     U.S. Pension Benefits    Foreign Pension Benefits    Other Postretirement
Benefits
         2008            2007            2008              2007              2008            2007    

Discount rate

   6.05%    6.15%    1.5-13.2%    3.5-11.3%    5.95%    6.05%

Rate of compensation increase

   4.5%    4.5/3.0%    2.0-7.1%    2.0-7.1%      

Health care cost trend rate

                 

Initial rate

               8.00%    8.50%

Ultimate rate

               5.00%    5.00%

Years to ultimate

               6    7

 

F-48


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Change in Plan Assets

 

     U.S. Pension Benefits     Foreign Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 

Millions of dollars

       2008             2007             2008             2007         2008     2007  

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

   $ 3,062     $ 3,146     $ 180     $ 137     $     $  

Actual return on plan assets

     (633 )     222       (15 )     (3 )            

Employer contribution

     94       75       32       25       95       96  

Plan participants’ contributions

                 2       2       18       16  

Gross benefits paid

     (305 )     (381 )     (30 )     (26 )     (113 )     (112 )

Acquisitions/divestitures

                                    

New plans

                 9       31              

Settlements

     (6 )       (1 )                  

Foreign currency exchange rates

                 (21 )     14              
                                                

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

   $ 2,212     $ 3,062     $ 156     $ 180     $     $  
                                                

U.S. Pension Plan Asset Allocation

 

Millions of dollars

   Target
Allocation
    Percentage of
Plan Assets
 
   2009         2008             2007      

Asset Category

      

Equity securities

   60 %   53 %   64 %

Debt securities

   40     47     36  
                  

Total

   100 %   100 %   100 %
                  

In the U.S., the expected rate of return on plan assets was determined by using the historical asset returns for publicly traded equity and fixed income securities tracked from 1927 through 2008 and the historical returns for private equity. The historical equity returns were adjusted downward to reflect future expectations. This adjustment was based on published academic research. The expected returns are weighted by the targeted asset allocations. The resulting weighted-average return was rounded to the nearest quarter of one percent.

Foreign Pension Plan Asset Allocation

 

Millions of dollars

   Target
Allocation
    Percentage of
Plan Assets
 
       2009             2008             2007      

Asset Category

      

Equity securities

   33 %   33 %   41 %

Debt securities

   50     52     50  

Other

   17     15     9  
                  

Total

   100 %   100 %   100 %
                  

For foreign pension plans, the expected rate of return on plan assets was determined by observing historical returns in the local fixed income and equity markets and computing the weighted average returns with the weights being the asset allocation of each plan.

 

F-49


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

Millions of dollars

   U.S. Pension Benefits     Foreign Pension
Benefits
    Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
   2008     2007     2006     2008     2007     2006     2008      2007      2006  

Service cost

   $ 14     $ 25     $ 82     $ 7     $ 7     $ 12     $ 21      $ 22      $ 21  

Interest cost

     211       215       197       22       19       18       66        73        66  

Expected return on plan assets

     (240 )     (251 )     (224 )     (11 )     (10 )     (8 )                    

Amortization:

                    

Actuarial loss/(gain)

     12       16       26       1       1       1       1        4        13  

Prior service cost/(credit)

           5       9       1       1       1       (25 )      (13 )      (8 )

Transition obligation

                                   1                      

Curtailment loss/(gain)

     1       14       6       (7 )           (5 )     (17 )              

Settlement loss

     2                                                    

One-time benefit (credit)/charge for new plan

                             (8 )                  1         
                                                                          

Net periodic benefit cost

   $     $ 24     $ 96     $ 13     $ 10     $ 20     $ 46      $ 87      $ 92  
                                                                          

During 2008, we recognized a curtailment gain of $7 million related to the conversion of our Mexico defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan. Additionally, we recognized a curtailment gain of $17 million in our U.S. postretirement health care plan as a result of the reduction in force announced on October 27, 2008. See Note 11 for additional information regarding our restructuring initiatives.

During 2007 and 2006 we recognized curtailment losses of $14 million and $6 million, respectively, related to amendments to cease all benefit accruals in our WPERPs for Fort Smith and LaVergne. Additionally, as a result of a change in law in Italy, we recognized a curtailment gain of $5 million in 2006.

We acquired Maytag on March 31, 2006, and the pension and postretirement net periodic cost has been reflected from that date forward.

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Pre-Tax) in 2008

 

Millions of dollars

   U.S. Pension
Benefits
    Foreign Pension
Benefits
    Other Postretirement
Benefits
 

Curtailment effects

   $ (1 )   $ (9 )   $ 17  

Settlements

     (2 )            

Current year actuarial loss/(gain)

     926       21       (55 )

Amortization of actuarial loss

     (12 )     (1 )     (1 )

Current year prior service cost/(credit)

     1             (182 )

Amortization of prior service (cost)/credit

           (1 )     25  

Amortization of transition obligation/(asset)

                  
                        

Total recognized in other comprehensive income (pre-tax)

   $ 912     $ 10     $ (196 )
                        

Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and other comprehensive income (pre-tax)

   $ 912     $ 23     $ (150 )
                        

 

F-50


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Cost

 

    U.S. Pension Benefits   Foreign Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement Benefits
    2008   2007   2006   2008   2007   2006       2008           2007           2006    

Discount rate

  6.15%   5.85%   5.60/6.05%   3.50-11.30%   3.00-11.30%   4.00-11.30%   6.05/6.55%   5.75/6.15%   5.50/6.05%

Expected long- term rate of return on plan assets

  8.25%   8.50%   8.50%   4.50-11.30%   4.50-11.30%   4.50-11.30%      

Rate of compensation increase

  4.50/3.00%   4.50/3.00%   4.50%   2.00-7.10%   2.00-7.10%   2.50-7.10%      

Health care cost trend rate

                 

Initial rate

              8.50%   9.00%   9.00%

Ultimate rate

              5.00%   5.00%   5.00%

Years to ultimate

              7   4   4

Additional Information

Estimated Pre-Tax Amounts that will be amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Net Period Pension Cost in 2009

 

Millions of dollars

   U.S. Pension
Benefits
   Foreign Pension
Benefits
   Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 

Actuarial (gain)/loss

   $ 32    $ 3    $  

Prior service (credit)/cost

               (33 )
                      

Total

   $ 32    $ 3    $ (33 )
                      

Estimated impact of one percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

Millions of dollars

   One Percentage
Point Increase
   One Percentage
Point Decrease
 

Effect on total of service and interest cost

   $ 5    $ (5 )

Effect on postretirement benefit obligations

     54      (50 )

Funding Policy

Our funding policy is to contribute to our U.S. pension plans amounts sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirement as defined by employee benefit and tax laws, plus additional amounts which we may determine to be appropriate. In certain countries other than the U.S., the funding of pension plans is not common practice. We have several unfunded non-U.S. pension plans. We pay for retiree medical benefits as they are incurred.

Expected Employer Contributions to Funded Plans

 

Millions of dollars

   U.S. Pension
Benefits
   Foreign Pension
Benefits

2009

   $ 80    $ 13

 

F-51


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

The $80 million expected to be contributed to the U.S. pension plans during 2009 represents required contributions to our funded U.S. pension plans.

The $13 million expected to be contributed to the foreign pension plans during 2009 represents contributions to our funded foreign pension plans.

Expected Benefit Payments

 

               Other Postretirement Benefits  

Millions of dollars

   U.S. Pension
Benefits
   Foreign Pension
Benefits
   Gross    Expected Federal
Subsidy
 

2009

   $ 318    $ 18    $ 85    $ (3 )

2010

     264      18      88      (3 )

2011

     260      20      90      (3 )

2012

     258      22      88      (4 )

2013

     257      23      85      (4 )

2014-2018

     1,290      127      385      (23 )

(14) BUSINESS 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, minority 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 and discontinued operations. Intersegment sales are eliminated within each region with the exception of compressor sales out of Latin America, which are included in Other/Eliminations.

Sales activity with Sears, a North American major home appliance retailer, represented 11%, 12% and 14% of consolidated net sales in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Related receivables were 13% and 16% of consolidated trade receivables as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

We conduct business in two countries that individually comprised over 10% of consolidated net sales and/or total assets within the last three years. The United States represented 48%, 53%, 63% of net sales for 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, while Brazil totaled 16%, 12%, 9% for 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. As a percentage of total assets, the United States accounted for 51%, and 51% at the end of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Brazil accounted for 10% and 15% of total assets at the end of 2008 and 2007, respectively.

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. For 2008, the operating segments recorded total restructuring costs (See Note 11) as follows: North America—$56 million, Europe—$78 million, Latin America—$7 million, Asia—$2 million and Corporate—$6 million, for a total of $149 million. For 2007, the operating segments recorded total restructuring costs (See Note 11) as follows: North America—$13 million, Europe—$28 million and Latin America—$20 million, for a total of $61

 

F-52


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

million. For 2006, the operating segments recorded total restructuring costs as follows: North America—$18 million, Europe—$23 million, Latin America—$7 million and Asia—$7 million, for a total of $55 million.

 

     GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENTS

Millions of dollars

   North
America
   Europe    Latin
America
   Asia     Other/
Eliminations
    Total
Whirlpool

Net sales

               

2008

   $ 10,781    $ 4,016    $ 3,704    $ 593     $ (187 )   $ 18,907

2007

     11,735      3,848      3,437      557       (169 )     19,408

2006

     11,642      3,432      2,692      457       (143 )     18,080

Intersegment sales

               

2008

   $ 148    $ 336    $ 219    $ 161     $ (864 )   $

2007

     171      504      169      220       (1,064 )    

2006

     64      494      141      231       (930 )    

Depreciation and amortization

               

2008

   $ 329    $ 131    $ 96    $ 22     $ 19     $ 597

2007

     352      115      84      22       20       593

2006

     332      105      72      21       20       550

Operating profit (loss)

               

2008

   $ 199    $ 149    $ 478    $ 10     $ (287 )   $ 549

2007

     646      246      438      (6 )     (261 )     1,063

2006

     667      192      237      (11 )     (262 )     823

Total assets

               

2008

   $ 8,038    $ 3,592    $ 2,094    $ 639     $ (831 )   $ 13,532

2007

     8,107      3,394      2,615      689       (796 )     14,009

2006

     8,449      3,001      2,037      603       (331 )     13,759

Capital expenditures

               

2008

   $ 253    $ 156    $ 100    $ 21     $ 17     $ 547

2007

     251      144      110      20       11       536

2006

     320      129      92      23       12       576

(15) QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

     Three months ended

Millions of dollars, except per share data

   Dec. 31    Sept. 30    Jun. 30    Mar. 31

2008:

           

Net sales

   $ 4,315    $ 4,902    $ 5,076    $ 4,614

Cost of products sold

     3,842      4,217      4,324      4,000

Net earnings available to common stockholders

     44      163      117      94

Per share of common stock:

           

Basic net earnings

     0.60      2.18      1.55      1.23

Diluted net earnings

     0.60      2.15      1.53      1.22

Dividends

     0.43      0.43      0.43      0.43

 

F-53


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(CONTINUED)

 

     Three months ended

Millions of dollars, except per share data

   Dec. 31    Sept. 30    Jun. 30    Mar. 31

2007:

           

Net sales

   $ 5,325    $ 4,840    $ 4,854    $ 4,389

Cost of products sold

     4,487      4,148      4,121      3,761

Net earnings available to common stockholders

     187      175      161      117

Per share of common stock:

           

Basic net earnings

     2.42      2.24      2.04      1.48

Diluted net earnings

     2.38      2.20      2.00      1.46

Dividends

     0.43      0.43      0.43      0.43

The quarterly earnings per share amounts will not necessarily add to the earnings per share computed for the year due to the method used in calculating per share data.

 

F-54


FIVE-YEAR SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

(Millions of dollars, except share and employee data)

   2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  

CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

          

Net sales

   $ 18,907     $ 19,408     $ 18,080     $ 14,317     $ 13,220  

Operating profit(1)

     549       1,063       823       792       758  

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and other items

     246       804       619       597       616  

Earnings from continuing operations

     418       647       486       422       406  

Loss from discontinued operations(2)

           (7 )     (53 )            

Net earnings available to common stockholders

     418       640       433       422       406  

Net capital expenditures

     547       536       576       494       511  

Depreciation

     569       562       520       440       443  

Dividends

     128       134       130       116       116  

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION

          

Current assets

   $ 6,044     $ 6,555     $ 6,517     $ 4,763     $ 4,514  

Current liabilities

     5,563       5,893       6,043       4,354       3,985  

Working capital

     481       662       474       409       529  

Property, plant and equipment-net

     2,985       3,212       3,157       2,511       2,583  

Total assets

     13,532       14,009       13,759       8,301       8,181  

Long-term debt

     2,002       1,668       1,798       745       1,160  

Stockholders’ equity

     3,006       3,911       3,283       1,745       1,606  

PER SHARE DATA

          

Basic earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 5.57     $ 8.24     $ 6.47     $ 6.30     $ 6.02  

Diluted earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

     5.50       8.10       6.35       6.19       5.90  

Diluted net earnings

     5.50       8.01       5.67       6.19       5.90  

Dividends

     1.72       1.72       1.72       1.72       1.72  

Book value

     39.54       48.96       42.93       25.54       23.31  

Closing Stock Price—NYSE

     41.35       81.63       83.02       83.76       69.21  

KEY RATIOS

          

Operating profit margin

     2.9 %     5.5 %     4.6 %     5.5 %     5.7 %

Pre-tax margin(3)

     1.3 %     4.1 %     3.4 %     4.2 %     4.7 %

Net margin(4)

     2.2 %     3.3 %     2.7 %     2.9 %     3.1 %

Return on average stockholders’ equity(5)

     10.7 %     18.1 %     15.7 %     24.6 %     30.3 %

Return on average total assets(6)

     3.0 %     4.6 %     3.9 %     5.1 %     5.2 %

Current assets to current liabilities

     1.1       1.1       1.1       1.1       1.1  

Total debt-appliance business as a percent of invested capital(7)

     46.0 %     34.5 %     41.2 %     40.4 %     45.7 %

Price earnings ratio

     7.5       10.2       14.6       13.5       11.7  

OTHER DATA

          

Number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):

          

Average—on a diluted basis

     76,019       79,880       76,471       68,272       68,902  

Year-end

     73,536       75,835       78,484       67,880       66,604  

Number of stockholders (year-end)

     14,515       15,011       15,311       7,442       7,826  

Number of employees (year-end)

     69,612       73,682       73,416       65,682       68,125  

Total return to shareholders (five year annualized)(8)

     (8.5 )%     11.8 %     4.9 %     14.5 %     3.7 %

 

(1)   Restructuring charges were $149 million in 2008, $61 million in 2007, $55 million in 2006, $57 million in 2005 and $15 million in 2004.

 

(2)   Our earnings from continuing operations exclude certain dispositions adjacent to the Maytag acquisition.

 

(3)   Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and other items, as a percent of sales.

 

(4)   Earnings from continuing operations, as a percent of sales.

 

(5)   Net earnings (loss), divided by average stockholders’ equity.

 

(6)   Net earnings (loss), divided by average total assets.

 

(7)   Debt divided by debt, stockholders’ equity and minority interests.

 

(8)   Stock appreciation plus reinvested dividends.

 

F-55


Report by Management on the Consolidated Financial Statements

The management of Whirlpool Corporation has prepared the accompanying financial statements. The financial statements have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, based upon their audits, expresses the opinion that these financial statements present fairly the consolidated financial position, statements of income and cash flows of Whirlpool and its subsidiaries in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Their audits are conducted in conformity with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

The financial statements were prepared from the Company’s accounting records, books and accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect all material transactions. The Company maintains a system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Company’s books and records, and the Company’s assets are maintained and accounted for, in accordance with management’s authorizations. The Company’s accounting records, policies and internal controls are regularly reviewed by an internal audit staff.

The audit committee of the Board of Directors of the Company is composed of five independent directors who, in the opinion of the board, meet the relevant financial experience, literacy, and expertise requirements. The audit committee provides independent and objective oversight of the Company’s accounting functions and internal controls and monitors (1) the objectivity of the Company’s financial statements, (2) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, and (4) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm. In performing these functions, the committee has the responsibility to review and discuss the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements and related reports with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, including the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” to monitor the adequacy of financial disclosure. The committee also has the responsibility to retain and terminate the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and exercise the committee’s sole authority to review and approve all audit engagement fees and terms and pre-approve the nature, extent, and cost of all non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

/s/    ROY W. TEMPLIN        

Roy W. Templin

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

February 19, 2009

 

F-56


Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of Whirlpool Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a – 15(f) and 15d – 15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Whirlpool’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to Whirlpool’s management and board of directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

The management of Whirlpool assessed the effectiveness of Whirlpool’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment and those criteria, management believes that Whirlpool maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.

Whirlpool’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on its assessment of Whirlpool’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page F-59.

 

/s/    JEFF M. FETTIG        

   

/s/    ROY W. TEMPLIN        

Jeff M. Fettig     Roy W. Templin
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
    Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
February 19, 2009     February 19, 2009

 

F-57


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Stockholders and Board of Directors

Whirlpool Corporation

Benton Harbor, Michigan

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Whirlpool Corporation as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Whirlpool Corporation at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As described in Note 12 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. As described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 158, Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment to FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Whirlpool Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 19, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois

February 19, 2009

 

F-58


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Stockholders and Board of Directors

Whirlpool Corporation

Benton Harbor, Michigan

We have audited Whirlpool Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Whirlpool Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Whirlpool Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Whirlpool Corporation as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 of Whirlpool Corporation and our report dated February 19, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois

February 19, 2009

 

F-59


SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

(millions of dollars)

 

COL. A

  COL. B   COL. C   COL. D     COL. E
        ADDITIONS          

Description

  Balance at Beginning
of Period
  (1)
Charged to Costs
and Expenses
  (2)
Charged to Other
Accounts / Other
  Deductions
—Describe
    Balance at End
of Period

Year Ended December 31, 2008:

         

Allowance for doubtful accounts—accounts receivables

  $ 83   $ 29   $ —     $ (46 )—A   $ 66

Year Ended December 31, 2007:

         

Allowance for doubtful accounts—accounts receivables

    84     19     —       (20  ) —A     83

Year Ended December 31, 2006:

         

Allowance for doubtful accounts—accounts receivables

    76     19     14 —B     (25  ) —A     84

Note A—The amounts represent accounts charged off, less recoveries of $0 in 2008, $0 in 2007, and $0 in 2006, translation adjustments and transfers.

Note B—The amount represents allowances for doubtful accounts recorded as part of the Maytag acquisition.

 

F-60


ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

ITEMS 15(a)(3) and 15(c)

EXHIBIT INDEX

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

The following exhibits are submitted herewith or incorporated herein by reference in response to Items 15(a)(3) and 15(c). Each exhibit that is considered a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(a)(3) of Form 10-K is identified by a “(Z).”

 

Number and Description of Exhibit

2   

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 22, 2005 among Whirlpool Corporation, Whirlpool Acquisition Co. and Maytag Corporation. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 22, 2005]

3(i)   

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Whirlpool Corporation. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(i) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993]

3(ii)   

By-Laws of Whirlpool Corporation (as amended and restated, effective June 19, 2007). [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 22, 2007]

4(i)   

The registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, a copy of instruments defining the rights of holders of each issue of long-term debt of the registrant and its subsidiaries.

4(ii)   

Indenture dated as of March 20, 2000 between Whirlpool Corporation and U.S. Bank, National Association (as successor to Citibank, N.A.) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(a) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on March 21, 2000]

4(iii)   

Indenture dated as of June 15, 1987 between Maytag Corporation and The First National Bank of Chicago. [Incorporated by reference from Maytag Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1987]

4(iv)   

First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 1, 1989 between Maytag Corporation and The First National Bank of Chicago. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to Maytag Corporation’s Form 8-K dated September 28, 1989]

4(v)   

Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 30, 2001 between Maytag Corporation and Bank One, National Association. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Maytag Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on October 31, 2001]

10(iii)(a)   

Amended and Restated Long-Term Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of December 1, 2005 among Whirlpool Corporation, Whirlpool Europe B.V., Whirlpool Finance B.V., Certain Financial Institutions and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Fronting Agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC and Bank of America, N.A., as Documentation Agents, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2005]

10(iii)(b)   

Whirlpool Corporation Nonemployee Director Stock Ownership Plan (amended as of February 16, 1999, effective April 20, 1999). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 1999 annual meeting of stockholders]

10(iii)(c)   

Whirlpool Corporation Charitable Award Contribution and Additional Life Insurance Plan for Directors (effective April 20, 1993). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(p) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994]

10(iii)(d)   

Whirlpool Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (as amended effective January 1, 1992 and April 20, 1993). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(f) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993]

 

E-1


Number and Description of Exhibit

10(iii)(e)   

Whirlpool Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan II for Non-Employee Directors (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2009). (Z)

10(iii)(f)   

Whirlpool Corporation Nonemployee Director Equity Plan (effective January 1, 2005). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2005]

10(iii)(g)   

Amendment of the Whirlpool Corporation Nonemployee Director Equity Plan (effective January 1, 2008). (Z) [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iii)(a) to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on April 24, 2008]

10(iii)(h)   

Nonemployee Director Stock Option Form of Agreement. (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(b) to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on April 24, 2008]

10(iii)(i)   

Whirlpool Corporation 1996 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (as amended, effective February 16, 1999). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(r) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999]

10(iii)(j)   

Whirlpool Corporation 1998 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (as amended, effective February 16, 1999). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(s) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999]

10(iii)(k)   

Whirlpool Corporation 2000 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (effective January 1, 2000). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2000 annual meeting of stockholders]

10(iii)(l)   

Whirlpool Corporation 2002 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (effective January 1, 2002). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2002 annual meeting of stockholders]

10(iii)(m)   

Whirlpool Corporation 2007 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (effective January 1, 2007). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Annex A to the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders]

10(iii)(n)   

Omnibus Equity Plans 409A Amendment (effective December 19, 2008). (Z)

10(iii)(o)   

Form of Agreement for the Whirlpool Corporation Career Stock Grant Program (pursuant to one or more of Whirlpool’s Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plans). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(q) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995]

10(iii)(p)   

Form of Amendment to Whirlpool Corporation Career Stock Grant Agreement. (Z)

10(iii)(q)   

Form of Stock Option Grant Document for the Whirlpool Corporation Stock Option Program (pursuant to one or more of Whirlpool’s Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plans)(Rev. 02/17/04). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(i) to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2005]

10(iii)(r)   

Administrative Guidelines for the Whirlpool Corporation Special Retention Program (pursuant to one or more of Whirlpool’s Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plans). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(w) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001]

10(iii)(s)   

Addendum to Whirlpool Corporation Special Retention Program Features (effective January 1, 2005). (Z)

10(iii)(t)   

Form of Whirlpool Corporation Strategic Excellence Program Grant Document (pursuant to one or more of Whirlpool’s Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plans)(Rev. 02/17/04). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(ii) to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2005]

10(iii)(u)   

Form of Compensation and Benefits Assurance Agreements (as amended and restated, effective December 31, 2008). (Z)

 

E-2


Number and Description of Exhibit

10(iii)(v)   

Whirlpool Corporation Performance Excellence Plan. (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2004 annual meeting of stockholders]

10(iii)(w)   

Amendment to Whirlpool Corporation Performance Excellence Plan (as amended effective January 1, 2005). (Z)

10(iii)(x)   

Whirlpool Corporation Executive Deferred Savings Plan (as amended effective January 1, 1992). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(n) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993]

10(iii)(y)   

Whirlpool Corporation Executive Deferred Savings Plan II (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2009), including Supplement A, Whirlpool Executive Restoration Plan (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2009). (Z)

10(iii)(z)   

Whirlpool Corporation Executive Officer Bonus Plan (effective January 1, 1994). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(o) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994]

10(iii)(aa)   

Amendment to Whirlpool Corporation Executive Officer Bonus Plan (effective January 1, 2009). (Z)

10(iii)(bb)   

Whirlpool Corporation Key Employee Treasury Stock Ownership Plan (effective October 16, 2001). (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(iii)(u) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001]

10(iii)(cc)   

Employment Agreement with Paulo F.M.O. Periquito, dated January 1, 1998. (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1998]

10(iii)(dd)   

Whirlpool Retirement Benefits Restoration Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009). (Z)

10(iii)(ee)   

Whirlpool Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2009). (Z)

10(iii)(ff)   

Whirlpool Corporation Form of Indemnity Agreement. (Z) [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2006]

10(iii)(gg)   

Selling Agency Agreement dated February 25, 2008 among Whirlpool, Banc of America Securities LLC and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named therein. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 28, 2008]

12   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

21   

List of Subsidiaries

23   

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

24   

Power of Attorney

31(a)   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31(b)   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32   

Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

E-3