Whirlpool to close washing machine plant in Shanghai

SHANGHAI: Appliance maker Whirlpool is closing its Shanghai washing machine plant and eliminating 600 jobs as part of its consolidation efforts in the Chinese market.

In a statement, Whirlpool said the closure was due to market changes and washing machine production will now be moved to the Hisense-Whirlpool joint venture facility in Changxing Economic Development Zone, Zhejiang province.

"The consolidation of washing machine production will help optimize the use of existing resources and generate a higher cost efficiency," the company said.