<PAGE>
CONFORMED COPY
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________________________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 9, 1997
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-3932 38-1490038
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commision File (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) number) Identification No.)
2000 M63 North, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022-2692
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(Address of principal executive officers) (Zip Code)
(616)-923-5000
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code
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Item 5. Other Events
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On December 9, 1997, the registrant announced the resignation of John P.
Cunningham, its executive vice president and chief financial officer. Ralph F.
Hake, currently senior executive vice president of operations, has been named
senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, succeeding
Cunningham.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
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Copy of December 9, 1997 press release covering the Company's recent
announcement of the resignation of John P. Cunningham and naming Ralph F. Hake
as his successor.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Registrant
Date: December 10, 1997 By: /s/ Daniel F. Hopp
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Name: Daniel F. Hopp
Title: Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
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Contact: Whirlpool Corporation
Christopher Wyse
616/923-3417
christopher j [email protected]
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WHIRLPOOL NAMES HAKE CFO,
REPLACING CUNNINGHAM WHO'S RETIRING
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., -- Dec. 9, 1997 -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:
WHR) announced today that Ralph F. Hake, currently senior executive vice
president of operations, will become senior executive vice president and chief
financial officer, effective immediately. He replaces John P. Cunningham who
plans to retire at the end of the year.
"Ralph Hake's operating experience in North America and Europe, and his
financial experience as corporate vice president and controller make him
exceptionally qualified to be our CFO," said David R. Whitwam, chairman and
chief executive officer.
Prior to assuming his most recent assignment in February 1997, Hake had
been executive vice president of the company's North America Region since 1992.
He joined the company in 1987, holding several key financial and operations
positions, including corporate vice president and controller, and president of
the company's Bauknecht Appliance Group in Europe.
Hake holds a bachelor of business administration degree from the
University of Cincinnati and a master of business administration degree in
finance from the University of Chicago.
Cunningham joined Whirlpool in December 1995 after serving as executive
vice president and CFO for Maytag Corp. He was with IBM for 27 years where he
held management positions in finance.
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer
of major home appliances. Headquartered in Benton Harbor, the company
manufactures in 13 countries and markets products under 11 major brand names in
about 140 countries.
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Administrative Center, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022
[LOGO OF WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION]
