Whirlpool appoints new vice chairmen

Effective Nov. 1, Whirlpool Corporation has named Michael Todman and Marc Bitzer vice chairmen of the company, each with his own individual areas of oversight.

"Mike and Marc have the experiences in these new roles to help drive our aggressive growth strategy, integrate acquisitions, and drive product leadership and innovation in a recovering global economy," said chairman and CEO Jeff Fettig. "This structure will bring leadership focus on our strategic initiatives for growth within all of our global markets."

Todman will be in charge of integration activities related to the company's planned acquisition of Hefei Sanyo in China, in addition to his existing responsibilities in Asia, Latin America and Global Information Systems.

He has been serving as president, Whirlpool International since January 2010 and was serving as president, Whilrpool North America before that. He has been on the board of directors since January 2006, and with Whirlpool overall since 1993.

Meanwhile, Bitzer will oversee the North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) businesses, the KitchenAid Small Domestic Appliances unit and the Indesit acquisition.

Bitzer has been president of Whirlpool North America, Whirlpool Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) since April 2013. Since joining the company in 1999, he has also served as president U.S. Operations and president Whirlpool Europe.