AMANA, Iowa – The future of Whirlpool’s Amana, Iowa, manufacturing facility is looking increasingly uncertain as the company prepares to drastically reduce its workforce and reshape its operations. Union officials describe the changes not as a modernization, as Whirlpool claims, but as a “systematic disassembly” of a once-thriving plant that has been a cornerstone of the community for over 80 years. The impending layoffs, affecting hundreds of workers, are the latest in a series of cuts that have dramatically shrunk the plant’s footprint and raised concerns about the long-term viability of manufacturing in the region.
The most immediate impact will be felt on March 9, when 341 workers will be laid off, according to a company announcement reported earlier this month. The Business Record reported that additional job cuts are expected in the second quarter of 2026. Whirlpool maintains that these cuts are part of a multi-year plan to modernize the facility, but the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) disputes that characterization.
Just five years ago, the Amana plant operated with five assembly lines running multiple shifts, employing over 3,300 workers. Today, that number has dwindled to between 1,200 and 1,300, and by this summer, the plant will be reduced to a single assembly line with one shift, according to Kerry Waddell, an assisting business representative for District 6 of the IAM. The March 9 and subsequent layoffs will leave the workforce at just 500 to 600 employees.
A History of Cuts and Shifting Production
The current layoffs build on cuts made last summer, when Whirlpool eliminated 250 positions at the Amana plant. Waddell says the reductions are directly linked to a shift in production to Whirlpool’s facilities in Mexico. “What we’ve seen is a systematic disassembly of the entire plant,” he said. “While assembly lines at the Amana plant have been shut down, we’ve seen the Mexico facility grow and produce units that we used to make and sell to the United States consumer.”
In 2023, Whirlpool announced a $160 million investment to expand its plant in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico, a facility that currently produces an estimated 300,000 refrigerators annually. Ramos Arizpe is one of five Whirlpool manufacturing plants in Mexico.
Impact on Workers and the Community
The layoffs are particularly devastating for workers with years of service to the company. Union officials say many of those affected have been with Whirlpool for seven to eight years. Adding to the hardship, the company is not offering a severance package, and laid-off workers will immediately lose their health insurance benefits. A Whirlpool spokesperson stated in an email that the company “will follow all applicable laws and the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the company and the union” regarding severance and health care benefits.
Despite the cuts, Whirlpool insists the Amana facility remains a vital part of its U.S. Manufacturing footprint. The spokesperson said the modernization plan will transform the plant into a “dynamic operation” that will continue to produce two-door bottom-mount and French door refrigerators, while also incorporating warehousing, parts production, and sub-assembly operate. However, union officials are skeptical, believing the primary investment will be in warehousing, essentially turning the plant into a storage and distribution center.
“Basically, they are just going to store products at the facility,” said Loren Almeroth, legislative and political assistant director for the IAM. “There probably will be some kitting of parts, which is putting a group of parts together and sending them to other facilities to aid other assembly lines.”
Seeking Support from Iowa’s Delegation
The IAM is actively seeking support from Iowa’s congressional delegation and state elected officials to halt the pending layoffs. The union hopes to pressure Whirlpool to reconsider its plans and preserve jobs in Amana. The situation highlights the broader challenges facing American manufacturing and the ongoing debate over the balance between domestic production and global supply chains.
Whirlpool, headquartered in Benton Harbor, Mich., describes itself as the “only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and appliances,” with a brand portfolio that includes Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator.
The next significant development will be the implementation of the first round of layoffs on March 9, followed by further cuts expected in the second quarter of 2026. The IAM continues to engage with Whirlpool and elected officials, seeking a solution to mitigate the impact on workers and the Amana community.
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