Whirlpool Corporation Investing $15 Million, Adding 150 Jobs To Tulsa Campus

Whirlpool announced on Wednesday they will be investing $15 million into its Tulsa distribution center. 

The state of Oklahoma is also contributing to the new expansion. This will add 150 jobs, increasing Whirlpool's staffing to over 2,000 in the metro.

"Demand is strong, the economy is recovering, and we want to make sure we are ready and have a place to take advantage of that and our customers can get the goods they need when they need it,” said Melinda Devese, who oversees Whirlpool's Tulsa campus. 

The campus is 1.6 million square feet after a $55 million investment in March 2020 doubled its size.

At a news conference Wednesday at the Senior PGA open practices at Southern Hills Country Club, Whirlpool said the newest investment will also add equipment to increase production and increase safety measures to accommodate more workers.

The State of Oklahoma is also chipping in $1 million from its business expansion investment program.

"The million dollars is a big deal for us,” said Devese. “We're going to use it to invest in capital investment projects that's going to help really shore up our manufacturing capabilities and capacity."

Whirlpool leaders joined Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum to share their excitement for continued collaboration.

"Today, I think, is a great indicator of what can happen when a city says it will stand behind the major employers in its own city,” said Bynum. 

Mike Neal, President and CEO of Tulsa Regional Chamber, said Whirlpool also supports about 3,000 indirect jobs in the Tulsa area in terms of suppliers and third-party vendors.

"These jobs provide an estimated $197 million in earned income annually to our community,” Neal said. 

Whirlpool told News On 6 investments will start taking place at the end of this year and there are dozens of openings right now. This year marks Whirlpool's 25th anniversary of being in Tulsa.