Whirlpool Slashes Jobs at Iconic Amana Plant

Union officials say layoffs reflect broader shift of production to Mexico

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Whirlpool Corporation is dramatically scaling back operations at its Amana, Iowa, manufacturing facility, laying off 341 workers on March 9 with potential for further job reductions in the second quarter of 2026. The cuts represent a significant contraction of the Amana plant's workforce, which employed over 3,300 workers just five years ago but is now expected to fall to between 500 and 600 employees after the initial layoffs.

Why it matters

The layoffs at the Amana plant, a major employer in Iowa County, reflect a broader shift of Whirlpool's production to Mexico as the company expands facilities south of the border. This move highlights the ongoing challenges facing American manufacturing as companies grapple with globalization, automation, and shifting production costs.

The details

Whirlpool announced the layoffs on February 17, with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union strongly condemning the decision as part of a pattern of 'corporate abandonment' and a deliberate strategy to move jobs to Mexico. The company maintains the layoffs are part of a 'multi-year modernization plan' to transform the Amana plant into a 'dynamic operation' focused on warehousing, parts production, and sub-assembly work, alongside continued refrigerator manufacturing. However, union officials are skeptical, predicting the plant will primarily become a warehousing hub.

  • Whirlpool laid off 250 workers at the Amana plant last summer.
  • The current layoffs of 341 workers will be effective on March 9, 2026.
  • Further job reductions are expected at the Amana plant in the second quarter of 2026.

The players

Whirlpool Corporation

A major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and home appliances, with a brand portfolio including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator.

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)

The union representing workers at the Amana plant, which has strongly condemned Whirlpool's decision to cut jobs and shift production to Mexico.

Loren Almeroth

The legislative and political assistant director for the IAM, who predicts the Amana plant will primarily become a warehousing hub.

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What they’re saying

“Our hearts go out to every member and family impacted by Whirlpool's decision to cut nearly 400 more jobs at its Amana facility.”

— International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) (newsdirectory3.com)

“Basically, they are just going to store products at the facility. There probably will be some kitting of parts, which is putting a group of parts together and sending them to other facilities to aid other assembly lines.”

— Loren Almeroth, Legislative and political assistant director, IAM (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

The IAM and other union representatives have reached out to Iowa's congressional delegation and state elected officials, seeking assistance in preventing further job losses at the Amana plant.

The takeaway

The layoffs at the iconic Amana plant highlight the ongoing challenges facing American manufacturing as companies like Whirlpool shift production to lower-cost locations abroad, underscoring the complex dynamics shaping the appliance industry and the broader U.S. manufacturing landscape.