A Pool of Rumors Whirls

Despite a tip that we received, the Whirlpool Fort Smith Division of Whirlpool Corp. denies that it has had any major employee cutbacks.

“No layoffs here,” said division spokeswoman Mona Mendoza.

Originally, our sources said the plant shut down a 25-foot-long production line and issued a 90-day layoff for some workers, and because that line shut down, other lines decreased production, reducing the work schedule to 2-3 days per week.

Mendoza said that one 22-foot line was shut down for one week of general maintenance and regular inventory adjustment, but that was it.

Whirlpool is based out of Benton Harbor, Mich.