Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 00:14:43 GMT Server: Apache/1.2.3 Connection: close Content-Type: text/html Corporate News: News and Info

    Maytag Appliances is the first manufacturer to partner with the Department of Energy on the Energy Star Appliances Program. The former Energy Star Retailer Program was renamed to represent the relationship with manufacturers, which allows for more accurate and widespread coverage of the labels. Maytag will label qualifying products-Advanced Performance Design refrigerators, IntelliSense® and IntelliClean™ dishwashers, and Maytag Neptune™ washers-directly at the factories.

    Brian A. Girdlestone, president of The Hoover Company, announced his retirement effective January 31, 1998. Girdlestone, who was named president in 1989, is widely credited with lifting Hoover's performance as an industry leader. Maytag CEO Len Hadley said that Girdlestone "remade the Hoover business into the most successful business in the Maytag Corporation portfolio." Keith Minton, senior vice president, operations, was appointed executive vice president of The Hoover Company.

    When Operation Pre-Sell ended in mid-July, more than 10,000 consumers had inquired, made a deposit on, or purchased a Maytag Neptune washer. The high-efficiency washer has been certified by the Consortium of Energy Efficiency which enables utilities nationwide to offer rebates to consumers.

    Maytag to Add Commercial Cooking to Product Lines
    When Maytag announced in late August an agreement to acquire the G.S. Blodgett Corporation, CEO Len Hadley told Blodgett's 750 employees that "what we have in common is a big reason we are attracted to Blodgett."

    Founded in 1848, Blodgett is a leading manufacturer of commercial ovens, fryers, and charbroilers for the food service industry and holds the number-one or number-two position in each product segment.

    "We can appreciate a company that began as a family business in the 1840s, whose brand today stands for reliability," Hadley said. "When people eat at home, we want them to use one of Maytag's appliances . . . when people eat out, we want their food prepared with one of the products from the Blodgett family of brands.

    "Maytag is committed to growing the corporation profitably for the benefit of shareowners, customers, and employees. Our growth will be focused in businesses that can consistently generate above average financial returns. Blodgett is the type of company that meets those criteria. We have worked hard to build a balanced earnings stream outside major appliances. Blodgett's product lineup and customer set is another important pillar of that balance and of the future strength of Maytag Corporation."

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  • The corporation's primary brands include Blodgett (ovens), Pitco Frialator (fryers), MagiKitch'n (charbroilers), and Blodgett Combi (hot air and steam convection ovens), plus two international distributors.
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  • One or more of the six Blodgett companies sells to all major hotel and restaurant chains and institutional food service installations around the world.
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  • The privately-held company operates six manufacturing plants in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, with 750 employees.
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  • Blodgett will operate as a separate business of Maytag Corporation, with premium-brand products sold through manufacturers representatives and food service distribution channels and serviced by Blodgett.
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  • Chief competitors include Welbilt and Premark (Hobart).

    "This is one more step to grow Maytag Corporation profitably and one more step to strengthen the balance in Maytag's earnings stream from businesses outside traditional home appliances."




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