AT&T, Whirlpool Corporation Sign $27M Global Networking Agreement

July 14, 2005; 07:58 AM

July 14, 2005 - Benton Harbor, Mich. – AT&T announced today it has won a $27 million global networking contract from Whirlpool Corporation, the world leader in the manufacturing and marketing of major home appliances. The company’s retail brands include Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Bauknecht, Brastemp, Inglis, Consul and Roper. Whirlpool also manufactures most of the appliances sold under Sears Roebuck & Co.’s Kenmore brand.

Under terms of the five-year agreement, AT&T will provide a global Internet Protocol-based networking solution integrating more than 150 Whirlpool locations across North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific--including more than 30 manufacturing locations, 13 technology centers and 18 design centers.
The contract renews and expands an existing strategic global relationship in which AT&T provides Whirlpool a full range of networking services including an Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN), toll-free services, long-distance, high-speed Internet access and business continuity services.

The IP-VPN solution serves as a foundation for Whirlpool’s strategic evolution to a converged multi-service networking platform, enabling deployment of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other converged services in the future. Based on Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology and adapted to Whirlpool’s unique requirements, the VPN enables Whirlpool to integrate its legacy networks around the world into a single, seamless IP-based, global network. 

The networking solution provides Whirlpool with consistent, secure and reliable worldwide communications and a technology platform that will ultimately improve service delivery to Whirlpool's trade partners and consumers. 

“Global communications is vital to our business and an important tool in helping Whirlpool support its innovation and customer loyalty strategy and ensure its position as the worldwide leader in the manufacturing and marketing of major home appliances, “ said Esat Sezer, Chief Information Officer for Whirlpool Corporation. “This network will help facilitate innovation and collaboration among our engineers, designers, manufacturers and suppliers, streamline our processes and allow us to bring new products to market faster and more efficiently than ever before at reduced costs. No company is better positioned or more uniquely capable than AT&T of meeting the needs of a global, multi-national company like ours.”

The VPN provides a standardized technology platform that enables Whirlpool to gain operating efficiencies while continually lowering its investment costs. For example, the network’s real-time online collaboration capabilities helped Whirlpool’s European and U.S. designers and engineers speed the development of the Whirlpool Duet clothes washer and dryer that successfully integrated European front-load technology with a striking design for U.S. consumers.

In addition, the network enables Whirlpool executives to analyze business situations and variables and make decisions in real-time, accelerating day-to-day business transactions in areas such as sales, pricing and inventory. As a result, Whirlpool expects to be more quick, nimble and efficient.

Whirlpool can monitor the performance of its network and applications through the secure AT&T customer portal, AT&T BusinessDirect„µ, which provides operational efficiencies including around-the-clock online access to real-time reports on network performance and direct connection to trouble management systems. AT&T BusinessDirect was recently recognized by the Yankee Group for providing customers with the strongest online support and service experience in the industry.

About AT&T
For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE "T") has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications.  Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.

About Whirlpool
Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of over $13 billion, 68,000 employees, and nearly 50 manufacturing and technology research centers around the globe. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Brastemp, Bauknecht, Consul and other major brand names to consumers in more than 170 countries.