Whirlpool Corp. is closing a Shanghai washing machine factory and consolidating its appliance manufacturing in China at its Hisense-Whirlpool joint-venture facility in the ZheJiang Province.

 

The company said Tuesday that the changes will eliminate about 600 positions in Shanghai but create 900 at the ZheJiang Province plant by the end of 2009.

 

Whirlpool says the 480 jobs at its China regional headquarters, a research and development center, and its commercial and administrative operations in Shanghai aren't affected.

 

Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool formed a 50-50 joint venture with Hisense Kelon Electrical Holdings Company Ltd. in April 2008 to develop and make washing machines and refrigerators.