Monday, October 31, 2011

Whirlpool to cut 5,000 jobs [report on TV said jobs were being sent to Mexico]
By MAE ANDERSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Whirlpool plans to cut 5,000 jobs, about 10% of its workforce in North America and Europe, as it faces soft demand and higher costs for materials.

The world’s biggest appliance maker also on Friday cut its 2011 earnings outlook drastically and reported third-quarter results that missed expectations, hurt by higher costs and a slowdown in emerging markets.

The company, whose brands include Maytag and KitchenAid, has, like other appliance makers, been squeezed by soft U.S. demand since the recession and rising costs for materials such as steel and copper. Because of its size, Whirlpool’s performance provides a window on the economy because it indicates whether consumers are comfortable spending on big-ticket items.

Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool has raised prices to combat higher costs, but demand for items like refrigerators and washing machines remains tight.

To offset slowing North American sales, Whirlpool has turned to emerging markets. But the company said Friday that sales have slowed there, too. The company revised its demand forecast globally. It now expects demand to decline 3% to 5% in North America, in 2011.

Steep costs and the dour global economy are affecting the entire appliance industry. Swedish appliance maker Electrolux said Friday that its third-quarter net income fell 39% and also cut its forecast for demand in North America and Europe for the year.

Whirlpool jobs to be cut are mostly in North America and Europe. They include 1,200 salaried positions and the closing of the company’s Ft. Smith, Ark., plant.

http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/DFREEP/LandingPage/LandingPage.aspx?href=REZQLzIwMTEvMTAvMjk.&pageno=MjA.&entity=QXIwMjAwMQ..&view=ZW50aXR5

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Berrien County Court Report

People from all over the world engage in court watching with Rev. Edward Pinkney to see the extreme corruption and racism for themselves. The reputation is spreading.

And, it says a lot about the government of the state of Michigan that it allows this unspeakably inhumane court to operate unfettered and uncontrolled.

On Tuesday October 25 Chae Hwa Roo from South Korea and J. Gilberto from Mexico joined Rev. Pinkney and were shocked at what they saw. Judge Dennis Wiley belittled a parade of black people who went before him. His treatment was extremely harsh.

On Wednesday October 26 attorney Tat Parish, one of the greatest defense attorneys in the country, was attacked by judge Dennis Wiley. He held his own again the madman.

Attorney Parish's client had taken a drug test which came back positive for marijuana. Parish told Wiley his client had not smoked any drugs in the last ten days. Judge Wiley called Parish a liar and stated marijuana only stays in the system
for seven days. He had his facts wrong again.

Marijuana is stored in the fat cells of the body, in the brain, liver and kidney. THC can stay in a person's body for 90 days and in the hair for between 3 months to 3 years.

The reality is that America, which proclaims itself the land of the free, has the most dishonest and dangerous legal system of any developed nation.

Legal corruption is covering America like a blanket. If there is no struggle, there is no progress. We must Occupy courtooms in every county in the US.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Is extortion too strong a word?

MSU law professor Jeanice Dagher represented a young man from Benton Harbor in Berrien County's notorious courthouse Friday.

Judge Wiley, more madman than usual, denied her request to reduce court costs and fines. Atty. Dagher explained that a defendant pleading guilty is normally not charged nearly what Wiley was charging: over $1,200.00. Wiley is used to the Berrien way (the court functioning partly as a cash cow) and told her with crazy sounding strong language that he could and would charge whatever he wanted.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

"Election" in Benton Harbor

Rev. Pinkney believes that Benton Harbor's Emergency Manager, Joseph Harris, will be gone soon. The main reason for this is that Whirlpool will fix the upcoming November election so that James Hightower becomes the new mayor. Hightower is a "Whirlpool man." With him at the helm, Whirlpool will actually be at the helm. Harris will have served his function and will no longer be needed. He has been paid very well, $132K per year, to carry out the corporate agenda of removal of a population through illegal imprisonments and other horrors for the purpose of redevelopment of the land.

You may be wondering why an election is being held in a city with an Emergency Manager; once an EM is appointed, democracy is eradicated, right? Well, there are certain things pertaining to a city charter that cannot be altered. Therefore, Harris (Whirlpool) has seven items on the ballot besides the mayoral decision. Two of them are - the effort to eliminate the wards in Benton Harbor (easier to control elections), and changing the city commission term from 4 years to 2 years.

Wiley, the Whirlpool drunk on the bench

On Tuesday, Judge Wiley denied a young Mexican man the right to have his criminal record expunged. The reason? He was a minority.

Judge Dennis Wiley is openly violating the constitutional rights of minorities. The majority of Berrien County court employees know about this drunk, racist judge. He and his blatant corruption make Berrien County a third world nation.

Wiley has to be the most crooked judge in the whole judiciary. He has shown wanton negligence in at least over 75% of his cases. His conduct, among other judges, is the subject of a criminal investigation by a law center.

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Goldman Sachs Downgrades Whirlpool (WHR) to Sell, Sees 24% Downside
October 18, 2011

Goldman Sachs downgraded Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) to Sell with a price target of $42, suggesting 24% downside.
The firm said the upcoming supply increases in Brazil from LG and Samsung will pressure the company's highest margin business. Goldman notes that Brazil/Latin America accounts for 25% of Whirlpool sales, but 50% of its operating profit given the high margins.
Goldman sees the company's 2014 EPS goal of $15 as "unrealistic". They expect 2013 EPS of $4.67, well below consensus of $8.37, and 2014 EPS of $5.52.
For more ratings news on Whirlpool Corporation click here and for the rating history of Whirlpool Corporation click here.
Shares of Whirlpool Corporation closed at $54.98 yesterday, with a 52 week range of $47.35-$92.28.

via StreetInsider.com

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Whirlpool "Streamlines"

Here are two articles on WP firings - don't miss the comments, although the first article's quotes from Whirlpool do enough damage to the corporation's credibility.

Whirlpool: Jobs Cuts "Difficult but Necessary"
Oct 11, 2011 By Tom Powell

Whirlpool announced Tuesday it is making "organizational changes." The changes include layoffs, but the company is not specifying how many people will lose their jobs.
A Whirlpool Spokesperson released the following statement to FOX 28 News:
"We communicated yesterday to employees regarding organizational changes in our North American Region. The changes are designed to create a more streamlined organization, allowing the company to operate more effectively, and to adapt more quickly, in current and forecasted market conditions. Most of Whirlpool Corporation's U.S. and Canadian locations were included; however we will not be providing additional details by location. Employees whose jobs were affected were notified yesterday.
Employee meetings were held this morning at various Whirlpool locations to discuss the changes and allow employees an open venue to ask questions of Whirlpool leaders.
This is a difficult, but necessary adjustment as we address a volatile marketplace in which demand for major appliances is currently at recessionary levels. Out of respect for the privacy of our employees we are not sharing specific numbers, however the job adjustments are spread across locations in the U.S. and Canada."
Whirlpool employs about 4,000 people in Benton Harbor, according to Cornerstone Alliance, an economic development group in the area.
"We are aware of the organizational effectiveness moves being made by Whirlpool Corporation and are concerned with some of the numbers being speculated within the community as to individuals impacted. We have heard rumors of job cuts in the realm of several hundred, which we know to be exaggerated," said Cornerstone Alliance President Wendy Dant Chesser in a statement to FOX 28 News. "However, we also realize that the loss of even just one job greatly affects not only that employee and their family, but also the broader community. This is why Cornerstone Alliance is working aggressively to court new businesses to our region and support many of the existing companies in our area that continue to thrive, despite the downturn in the economy."

Denise
Shame on Whirlpool. Are they getting rid of foreign employees as well? They should be taxed at about 90% to bring their products back into our country. How shortsighted-if I were the CEO the person who came up with this "organizational effectiveness" is fired. Let's use some imagination. Pretty soon the only employee left is the CEO-who will do the work then?

Nifty
PS.. I like the use of the term "organizational effectiveness moves". Nice....sorry, you are not effective in our organization anymore. Also, sweet touch on the "It gets better" release timing... reflective of the CYA / 'no responsibility" mentality ...

Nifty
All the best for those out of work now...and those left behind to do more work. It is a real pity that the incompetent WHR leaders aren't walked out the door.... where is the Board looking out for the shareholders' interests ? Nowhere. Millions of dollars to keep 4 jets, a new $40m building that isn't needed (particularly now), and time and again, failed strategies to increase profits (is it brand or product or channel strategy this year ?). So, what does one do when you can't improve profits when you have the market share leadership ? Fire employees.... it is a complete admission of failure in leadership and talent recruitment (I wonder if any HR leaders were let go this time...the ones charged with talent recruitment should obviously be the first to go, right ?). Maybe when they fire the next several hundred employees, the Board might start to wake up ...don't hold your breath.


http://www.fox28.com/story/15670025/whirlpool-says-jobs-cuts-are-difficult-but-necessary

Whirlpool cuts local jobs
Company won't say how many
“The changes are designed to create a more streamlined organization..."

by Mark Peterson
mpeterson@wndu.com

Whirlpool has eliminated jobs in the greater Benton Harbor / St. Joseph area, although it won’t say how many jobs.
Company Spokesperson Kristine Vernier said that Whirlpool isn’t sharing specific numbers out of respect for the privacy of the affected workers.
Whirlpool employs some 4,000 workers locally, but Vernier says that job cuts also took place beyond Berrien County--at Whirlpool facilities all across the United States and Canada.
“The changes are designed to create a more streamlined organization, allowing the company to operate more effectively, and to adapt more quickly, in current and forecasted market conditions,” Vernier said in a written statement.
The statement goes on to say that the marketplace is volatile and that “demand for major appliances is currently at recessionary levels.”
The employees whose jobs were affected were notified yesterday, according to the statement.
Under certain conditions an employer would be required to notify state and local government of a ‘large layoff,’ for instance, if plans called for 500 or more people to be let go in a 30-day period.
When asked if Whirlpool filed such notification, Vernier said that the layoff did not meet those criteria.
Late today, The Cornerstone Alliance issued a news release in which President Wendy Dant Chesser states, "We are aware of the organizational effectiveness moves being made by Whirlpool Corporation and are concerned with some of the numbers being speculated within the community as to individuals impacted. We have heard rumors of job cuts in the realm of several hundred, which we know to be exaggerated."

by wickileaks on Oct 14, 2011
this is only the first wave coming there will be more, possibly in about 2 weeks the next wave will happen, then possibly january more. All this while Jeff Fettig and his friends have a new corporate jet to fly around in, oh thats right they didnt mention that did they? where is the investigative reporting? next thing to go wil be the 401k match to the leftover employees while fettigs stock options increase, he'll still get his bonus, doubt average joe will get a bonus, or a raise next year.... mark my words

by Les on Oct 12, 2011 at 06:04 AM
I wonder how much just a 10-15% executive pay and bonus reduction would save the company? I doubt that was discussed as an option. Do you really need millions in your bonus on top of a million dollar salary Jeff Fettig? How much do your many executives deserve to stare out at the lake all day? Oh, we can't do that. We will lose our "top talent." Does it really take top talent to come up with a 'let's fire some people that make $35K/yr' plan. Brilliant. Show some real leadership and cost cut where the fat actually exists.

by Dianne on Oct 12, 2011
Hmmmmm. Wonder if the case reported below has something to do with the lay offs?? They were caught price gouging.... Mighty convenient lay offs would happen right now since they lost 140 Million. Embraco, a division of Michigan-based Whirlpool, and Panasonic Corp. pleaded guilty last year and together agreed to pay $140 million.

by Whoa There Pards... on Oct 11, 2011
2 months ago they were predicting the best year ever: "The company is reaffirming its annual operating EPS guidance(5) of $12.00 to $13.00 and free cash flow guidance in the range of $400 million to $500 million. Given the current operating environment, Whirlpool is guiding EPS to the low end of the range."

by Nifty Location: BH on Oct 11, 2011
All the best for those out of work now...and those left behind to do more work. It is a real pity that the incompetent WHR leaders aren't walked out the door.... where is the Board looking out for the shareholders' interests? Nowhere. Millions of dollars to keep 4 jets, a new $40m building that isn't needed (particularly now), and time and again, failed strategies to increase profits (is it brand or product or channel strategy this year ?). So, what does one do when you can't improve profits when you have the market share leadership ? Fire employees.... it is a complete admission of failure in leadership and talent recruitment (I wonder if any HR leaders were let go this time...the ones charged with talent recruitment should obviously be the first to go, right ?). Maybe when they fire the next several hundred employees, the Board might start to wake up ...don't hold your breath. PS.. I like the use of the term "organizational effectiveness moves". Nice....sorry, you are not effective in our organization anymore. Also, sweet touch on the "It gets better" release timing... reflective of the CYA / 'no responsibility" mentality ...

by Anonymous on Oct 11, 2011 at 08:07 PM
You can pretty much tell a layoff is coming when St.Joe puts up the We Love Whirlpool Sign on Broad street.

http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/Whirlpool_cuts_local_jobs__131550748.html

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Benton Harbor in the New York Times

The New York Times has been working on an article about Benton Harbor. Keep an eye out, as it should appear any day now. Rev. Pinkney was interviewed for several hours by a reporter who traveled to BH, and yesterday the newspaper sent a photograher to town.

Judge Dennis Wiley receives award

A progressive national organization, Foxfire, has been keeping an eye on the Berrien County courthouse among other courts, and has given Judge Dennis Wiley the Jackass of the Year award for the second time in three years. He is notorious throughout Berrien County and elsewhere for corruption, innocent convictions, and blatant inebriation on the bench.

The judicial system which employs Wiley is itself blatantly corrupt, denies procedural rights guaranteed by the constitution, and violates the basic right to equality before the law.

Berrien County is known for rigged courts, fake and phony trials, and extortion by judges and lawyers. In this courthouse, the focus is on jailing young black BH males - approximately 1 out of 25 are imprisoned.

Rev. Edward Pinkney watches Judge Wiley on a daily basis, recording his words and actions. This week Pinkney was joined by two new court-watchers, a Brazilian and a Columbian. An architect of the court's racism and corruption, now on the west Michigan federal bench, is Judge Paul Maloney. He illegally set aside the '05 BH recall election of Glen Yarbrough. Maloney was in court this week - Rev. Pinkney made sure their eyes met.

Listen to Rev. Pinkney's radio show
every Sunday, 5-6pm.
BlogTalkRadio.com/rev-pinkney

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Occupy Wall Street Activist Slams Fox News Producer In Un-Aired Interview

Well, here is an interview that Fox News filmed, but doesn’t want you to see.

read the full article at Observer.com
Whirlpool lays off 25 at Arkansas plant
By AP | October 04, 2011

FORT SMITH, Ark. — Whirlpool Corp. officials say nearly two dozen people have been laid off at its plant in Fort Smith.

In a statement released Tuesday, the company announced that 22 employees had been let go at the facility.

Officials announced in July that about 25 salaried employees would separate from the company or take retirement.

The company cites reduced demand for major appliances and what it called "unfair trade practices by foreign competitors selling refrigerators in the United States."

Whirlpool laid off 850 employees at the Fort Smith plant in late 2010, leaving an estimated 1,020 hourly and 110 salaried workers.

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/48738--whirlpool-lays-off-25-at-arkansas-plant

Saturday, October 01, 2011

...Whirlpool Execs Charged In Price-Fixing Sting

by Mark Brush, 9/28/11

The U.S. Department of Justice announced that a federal grand jury in Detroit has indicted three former executives from a Whirlpool Corporation subsidiary, a Panasonic Corporation, and a Tecumseh Products Company subsidiary for conspiring to fix prices on refrigerant compressors.

The compressors are used in refrigerators and freezers...

...Sharis A. Pozen, Acting Assistant Attorney General from the DOJ's Antitrust Division said:

“Cracking down on international price fixing cartels has been and will continue to be among the most significant priorities for the Antitrust Division. Our investigation into the refrigerant compressors industry has already resulted in two companies – Panasonic and Embraco North America – pleading guilty and paying a total of $140.9 million in criminal fines. Our investigation is continuing.”

The three are being charged for price fixing under the Sherman Act. The maximum penalty they each face is 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.


http://www.michiganradio.org/post/three-corporate-executives-indicted-compressor-price-fixing-case

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-pricefixing-compr,0,3467906.story

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110927-714992.html#articleTabs_comments