KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021
We strongly recommend viewing KBzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Whirlpool Corporation opens new EMEA headquarters in Milan
Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni recently opened the new headquarters of Whirlpool EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) in Pero, Milan.
The building will accommodate more than 600 employees from 28 countries in a modern and collaborative working environment.
The new headquarters has the latest technology and built to meet current sustainability standards, including a rooftop solar power system that is expected to save 16 tons of CO2 emissions each year.
In line with its corporate social responsibility goals, the company promotes alternative and sustainable transport for its employees through a commute sharing app and free shuttle bus services. It has also teamed up with Banco Alimentare, an organisation dedicated to redistributing food waste, to reduce unused food at the new headquarters.
"The Prime Minister's visit is a great honour for us at a very important time for Whirlpool EMEA in Italy," says Whirlpool EMEA president and Whirlpool Corporation executive vice president, Esther Berrozpe Galindo.
"In addition to the new headquarters, in the last few years we have invested $500 million into product innovation, state of the art industrial processes and ongoing training for our employees. And the location of our new headquarters offers our employees a dynamic and multicultural environment."
Whirlpool EMEA also opened The 'World of Whirlpool', its new flagship showroom in Milan, to showcase what it says is the world's most advanced home appliance technology and design. The showcase displays over 150 products from the Whirlpool Corporation's four major European brands: KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Hotpoint and Indesit.
The new 500sq.m showroom aims to be more than a shop window, and places a significant focus on providing 'edutainment' through the power of innovation, expressed by interactive displays. A particular highlight of the 'World of Whirlpool' is the exquisite show kitchens that play host to a variety of cooking demonstrations.
Norb Schmidt, vice president, products and brands, Whirlpool EMEA explains: "The 'World of Whirlpool' is a new exciting space where we can share the experience of our brands and products. The environment has been conceived as an immersive experience that allows guests to explore, live and experience our brands' products through interactive content, show cooking and 'edutainment' activities."
Each of the brands has a dedicated area showcasing some of their most compelling products. For true design enthusiasts, the KitchenAid collection tells a story of timeless style and professional performance with exceptional products such as the new Iconic Fridge.
In the Whirlpool area, visitors may experience the rich and successful heritage that spans more than a century, with a story of innovation, leading edge design and advanced performance. This full suite of kitchen appliances enhances the experience of the home with the promise of changing the way we live.
The new built-in suite from Hotpoint merges the three elements of the brand's product philosophy; extended capability to empower consumers to celebrate their own personal style; proven performance to help them achieve consistently high quality results, and authentic product design to beautifully harmonise with modern designer kitchens.
Visitors may also explore the new Aria collection of built-in cooking appliances from Indesit, a display demonstrating how it fits perfectly around the needs of the modern family, through clever 'life proof' design. The display tells a story of how life is a journey; sometimes unexpected, often full of ups and downs, and always chaotic. The Indesit built-in cooking collection offers a guaranteed helping hand, with highly pragmatic and reliable solutions.
26th May 2017