Whirlpool Introduces Laundry, Kitchen Majaps At Builders' Show

ORLANDO, FLA. — Whirlpool showcased a host of new offerings from across its collection of brands at the International Builders' Show, held here earlier this month.

The show was hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). According to a release, nearly 104,000 housing professionals attended and more than 1,900 suppliers across 300 categories exhibited their wares.

Whirlpool used the show as an opportunity to highlight its new Centralpark refrigerator which features a plug-and-play platform to accommodate accessories like a digital picture frame, an MP3 speaker system or an LCD television on the refrigerator door.

The company also introduced its Amana Jot dry-erase refrigerator that features a dry-erase finish to allow consumers to easily write, draw and erase on the doors.

In another area of the kitchen, Whirlpool announced that its KitchenAid brand is now offering steam-assisted cooking appliances and dishwashers and its Jenn-Air brand has added several new appliances to its Oiled Bronze collection, a line which the company is positioning as a high-performance alternative to the popular stainless-steel trend.

The company also made a series of introductions in the laundry appliances category. Highlights include:

• the Whirpool Duet steam washer and dryer, now available. According to a release, the washer "naturally steams away touch stains, from grass to grease without pre-treating;"
• the new Maytag EPICz front-load washer and dryer, said to use an extended spin cycle and "take clothes from wet to dry in less than 30 minutes;"
• Maytag's Centennial 27-inch dryer, which matches the existing Centennial washer. According to the company, the dryer "incorporates a streamlines profile that fits smaller spaces but delivers the largest drying capacity of any dryer by utilizing cavity space between the drum and the cabinet;"
• and a new Amana front-load laundry pair that includes a 7.1 cubic foot dryer and a washer with "antimicrobial component protection." The washer and dryer are said to exceed 2007 Energy Star guidelines.