Whirlpool Sells Fort Smith Plant
by September 6, 2012 2:12 pm 123 views
The former Whirlpool Corp. plant in Fort Smith has been sold, according to an Associated Press report.
Whirlpool confirmed the deal to The AP Thursday but did not release terms of the transaction. The buyer is Canada-based Infinity Asset Solutions Inc., which specializes in disposing of assets of public and private companies.
Whirlpool laid off 800 employees when the refrigerator plant closed in June. The factory employed 4,600 people as recently as six years ago. The company didn’t reveal the sale price, but spokesperson Kristine Vernier issued a statement via email.
“With help from several key real estate experts and economic development officials in the area, Whirlpool has entered into an agreement to sell the [2.19 million-SF] facility,” Vernier wrote. “The company anticipates the process will be complete by the end of the year.”
Whirlpool moved production at the Fort Smith plant to its other North American sites, with trash compactor production moved to Ottawa, Ohio; built-in refrigerator production moved to Amana, Iowa; and side-by-side refrigerators moved to Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.