CHINA

Whirlpool Plans Expansion: The Benton Harbor, Mich.-based company said it will soon start making washing machines and other appliances in China, in hopes of hanging its white-goods competitors out to dry. Whirlpool Corp., the world’s biggest appliance maker, has invested $200 million in China in the last 12 months, which includes four joint ventures, said Whirlpool Asia Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Frey. “We are anticipating continuing and significant capital investments in China this year and for the next five or six years,” he said. Analysts say China’s appliance market has more than doubled in the last five years and that it could triple in 10 years. Whirlpool has a 1% share of Asia’s appliance industry.