BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Whirlpool Corporation will build a new office campus as part of a consolidation of its 15 owned and leased facilities to three centralized office campuses. The changes — expected to take approximately five years to complete — will lead to improvements in productivity, operations, energy efficiency, and overall employee experience, the company says.The three campuses will include the existing Benton Harbor Administrative Center and St. Joseph Technology Center locations, and a new three-building campus to be located on Main Street, between River Street and Riverview Drive, in downtown Benton Harbor. In addition to the three campuses, the company plans to retain its Hilltop Drive South offices in St. Joseph and the Harbor Town offices in Benton Harbor.These changes will reduce operating costs, provide greater flexibility to adjust to changing business and staffing needs and drive enhanced productivity, Whirlpool says. Additionally, the new buildings are designed for energy efficiency and built to achieve LEED certification.“Thanks to collaboration with our four local government bodies, and with the State of Michigan, we will further strengthen our commitment to the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph communities,” says Jeff M. Fettig, chairman and chief executive officer, Whirlpool Corp. “With more than 4,000 individuals in our current facilities, we have simply outgrown our current space. This initiative is a good business decision as the new campus and related changes are expected to increase productivity and energy efficiency, and reduce operating costs.”Contingent on approval of all state and local incentives, preparation for the new office buildings is expected to begin within the next several weeks.
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