Whirlpool Hiring 100-150 at Amana Plant

by Dave Dewitte
Improved refrigerator demand has Whirlpool Corp. looking to hire 100-150 more workers at its Middle Amana plant.

The Middle Amana plant is a production facility and design center specializing mainly in bottom-freezer refrigerator models, called bottom mounts.

“The increase is due to both our typical seasonal increase as well as some growth in the bottom-mount business,” Whirlpool Director of External Communications Jill Saletta said in an e-mail.

The hires will be full-time hourly assembly positions, primarily on the second and third shifts, Saletta said.

Whirlpool has already added about 400 workers this year to meet summer demand to cover vacations and ordinary departures of workers, Saletta said.  College students are often hired at the plant during the summer to cover vacation schedules.

The company said applicants may apply through their nearest Iowa Workforce Development Center.

The company hopes to fill the positions by Sept. 1.

The positions pay $13.70 per hour, plus shift premiums and bonuses.

Summer is often the peak time for refrigerator demand, as consumers move into new homes that need appliances, and as old refrigerators break down due to higher summer temperatures.