Whirlpool officially opened its new Factory Distribution Center (FDC) adjacent to its existing manufacturing plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The existing plant produces freestanding and slide-in ranges under the Whirlpool, Amana, Maytag, KitchenAid and JennAir brands. Whirlpool’s $55 million investment in the new FDC, an 800,000 square foot facility, will approximately double the size of its footprint in Tulsa. The investment will support increased production capacity in the plant and improve efficiencies within the company’s existing supply chain across North America. The distribution center features a number of smart technology investments, including: a climate control system that regulates and maintains a consistent temperature and humidity profile within the warehouse to provide for an optimal working and product storage environment; innovative dock loading equipment that will create safer loading practices for operators while providing ergonomic and efficiency benefits; advanced conveyor equipment that will optimally distribute inventory, decreasing potential damage; and new information systems which will enable best in class inventory control, provide real time information and contribute to warehouse labor efficiency. The new distribution facility is expected to be LEED certified underscoring Whirlpool’s efforts towards energy efficiency and sustainability.
