Worker shortage? Whirlpool's cleaning up

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted toured Whirlpool Corp.'s Findlay plant on Monday, praising it as faring well amid the worker shortage because it takes care of its employees. The Findlay plant, which manufactures dishwashers, employs 2,351 and is at full staffing, company leaders told Husted. Workers in the greatest demand are those highly skilled in equipment maintenance and tooling, engineering and robotics, said Marianna Ambrosio, human resource lead for the Findlay plant. Whirlpool has "good compensation packages, which makes these jobs very attractive," Husted said. Husted also praised Whirlpool for upskilling existing employees into higher-paying jobs. "They will upskill you so you can earn more, have more job security," he said. "Maintenance professionals are some of the most in-demand kinds of jobs that they have available, and those jobs pay very well." Whirlpool has taken advantage of a state program, TechCred, which helps employers pay for the expense to upgrade workers' skills, Husted said. State Rep. Jon Cross, R-Kenton, sponsored the bill creating TechCred. Cross, Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn and Ohio Development Director Lydia Mihalik, former Findlay mayor, toured the Findlay plant along with Husted. "The great thing about skill training is this: Individuals earn more and have more job security; companies have the talent that they need to succeed," Husted said. "We are helping that through our high school career centers, community colleges, and through our credentialing programs like TechCred." While Whirlpool's Findlay plant is at full staffing, it could be producing 20% more dishwashers, company officials said. What's holding it back is a shortage of electronics parts from suppliers, said Kristin Day, Whirlpool Findlay plant lead. Husted said he is working on that. "Right now we depend on computer chips that come from Asia. We need to domesticate that supply chain," he said. "Ohio is very engaged not only for the future of our state, but for the future of our country." Besides producing the Whirlpool brand, the Findlay plant also produces Kitchen Aid, Maytag, Amana and JennAir brand dishwashers. Wilin: 419-427-8413