Whirlpool Corporation announces layoffs

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corporation is laying workers off.

There is no word just yet on exactly how many employees are being let go at Whirlpool or its other divisions like Kitchen Aid and Maytag.

But some of the cuts are hitting at the corporate offices in Benton Harbor in two waves.

The first wave was just announced today.

The layoffs come just after the Fortune 500 firm reported lower than expected earnings outlook for this year.

The company says all impacted employees will be paid severance and get support transitioning to new companies.

Whirlpool releasing a statement to ABC57 about the layoffs tonight saying in part:

"The company will shift to a decentralized model with more autonomous business units and a leaner, more strategic corporate center...while these are not easy choices, we know they are required to secure the long-term success of the company."