The ratings on Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool Corp. reflect its global leadership position in the mature and concentrated major appliance industry and geographic diversity. These factors are partially offset by the company's weak credit measures and exposure to economic conditions in the company's key markets. Whirlpool continues to maintain the leading market share in several major appliance categories across a number of different geographic regions. The company strengthened its position in the key U.S. major appliance market with the acquisition of Maytag, while continuing to grow in international sales and offshore manufacturing capabilities, providing some geographic diversity. Whirlpool has exceeded its post-merger cost savings and expects to achieve additional cost savings in the first half of 2008. Although Whirlpool has
