Whirlpool is turning a long-quiet solar-panel site in Perrysburg, Ohio, into a roughly $60 million factory that the company says will add about 100 to 150 jobs over the next two years. The new plant will crank out components and subassemblies for washers and dryers that feed Whirlpool’s nearby Ohio operations, keeping more of the appliance giant’s supply chain close to home as it leans harder into domestic manufacturing.
In a press release via PR Newswire, Whirlpool said it will invest more than $60 million to convert an existing building into its 11th U.S. factory and sixth in Ohio. The company expects the phased build-out to create between 100 and 150 jobs and is already talking about the site as a "vital hub" for its domestic operations, where advanced manufacturing technologies will run alongside more traditional shop-floor roles.
Where The Plant Will Sit
Local reporting pegs the conversion site on State Route 25 just south of Levis Commons in Perrysburg, at a property that previously housed solar-panel manufacturing. The spot gives Whirlpool quick highway access and puts the company in the middle of a regional manufacturing talent pool. WTVG reported the location details.
What The Facility Will Make
Whirlpool says the Perrysburg plant will produce appliance components and subassemblies for washers and dryers, using a hybrid setup that pairs automation with human operators rather than going fully robotic. The development is expected to take roughly two years, with a formal ribbon-cutting targeted for later this year. The company notes the project still depends on final approval of incentives from JobsOhio and a state tax credit. PR Newswire
Part Of A Bigger Ohio Strategy
The Perrysburg move plugs into a larger Ohio play. It follows a $300 million Whirlpool commitment announced in October 2025 to upgrade its Clyde and Marion laundry operations, an effort that JobsOhio said would add hundreds of jobs and modernize production lines across northwest Ohio. State and regional economic-development partners have been working with Whirlpool on that broader expansion, which officials say underscores Ohio’s manufacturing strengths. JobsOhio documented the earlier investment.
Local Reaction And Hiring
Local leaders are treating the announcement like a win. "This is exactly the kind of investment we're proud to see in Perrysburg," Perrysburg Mayor Mark Weber said, calling Whirlpool’s decision a vote of confidence in the community and its workforce. Wood County officials added that the project will help fortify the county's industrial base. WTVG reported those remarks.
For now, several specifics remain undecided, including exact job counts by role, wage scales and training plans. Local officials say they expect to push for strong hiring and training ties to area community colleges and workforce programs as the project firms up. Business outlets such as Crain's Cleveland Business have been tracking the announcement and are likely to follow the permitting and hiring process. Whirlpool says hiring should roll out in phases as equipment is installed and the conversion moves ahead, so residents eyeing a job at the new plant may want to keep their resumes within arm’s reach.
