<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) January 2, 1998
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 (Commission 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 January 2, 1998, the registrant announced that it completed the
previously announced sale of the consumer finance business of Whirlpool
Financial Corporation to Transamerica Distribution Finance Corporation.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
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Copy of January 2, 1998 press release covering the Company's
announcement regarding the completion of the sale of the consumer finance
business of Whirlpool Financial Corporation to Transamerica Distribution Finance
Corporation.
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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: January 7, 1998 By: /s/ Daniel F. Hopp
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Name: Daniel F. Hopp
Title: Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
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Christopher Wyse
616/923-3417
[email protected]
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION FINALIZES SALE OF
CONSUMER FINANCE BUSINESS
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Jan. 2, 1998 -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) today
announced that it completed the previously announced sale of the consumer
finance business of Whirlpool Financial Corporation (WFC) to Transamerica
Distribution Finance Corporation (TDF).
The sale of the consumer finance business and certain international finance
assets was completed at the close of business on December 31, 1997, pursuant to
an agreement between the companies announced on September 18, 1997. Under that
agreement Whirlpool Corporation agreed to sell the inventory, consumer and
international finance businesses of WFC to TDF as part of a strategic
partnership.
"The completion of this transaction puts in place the last major piece
necessary to complete the sale of these assets and to develop our strategic
partnership with Transamerica," said Ralph F. Hake, senior executive vice
president and chief financial officer.
Transamerica Distribution Finance Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of San Francisco-based Transamerica Corporation, one of the world's largest
independent financial services companies with nearly $50 billion in assets. TDF
has been financing manufacturers, distributors and retailers in various
industries for over 40 years.
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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