BENTON HARBOR, Mich., March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) has been recognized as one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in the Home Equipment, Furnishings industry sector. The company finished first in this sector for the third year in a row.

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Whirlpool Corporation's highest scores in the survey came in the following categories: people management, quality of management and global competitiveness. Other companies joining Whirlpool on the Home Equipment, Furnishings list include Tupperware Brands, Newell Rubbermaid and Steelcase. Companies that also ranked No. 1 in their industry sectors include Boeing, Nike, Apple, American Express, GE, IBM and Google.

"As the largest and most innovative appliance company in the world with over 102 years of history, it is an honor to once again be named one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies," said Jeff M. Fettig, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation. "We are particularly proud of our scores in the management and global competitiveness categories and believe that we are poised for continued success in 2013, benefiting our consumers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and communities, especially those in which we operate."

Whirlpool Corporation has a proven track record of responsible business throughout its history. In 2012, the company ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine's 100 Best Corporate Citizens for the tenth consecutive year, one of the Most Respected U.S. Companies by Forbes magazine and Reputation Institute for the fifth year, and awarded the 2012 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the seventh straight year. Whirlpool was also included on the World's Most Admired Companies list in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Fortune's rankings are published each year and reflect the observations and opinions of executives who rate their peers and competitors on nine different aspects. These aspects include innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, long-term investment, financial soundness, quality of products and services, and global competitiveness. More information on the World's Most Admired Companies can be found at Fortune.com.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion in 2012, 68,000 employees, and 65 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world.  The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world.  Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation