First Appliance Manufacturer to Offer 3-D Models in the Google Dynamic Component Collection BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (Nov. 19, 2008) - Whirlpool Corporation’s dedicated program for building and design professionals, The Inside Advantage(TM), announces yet another first for the design community. The company is now the first appliance manufacturer to offer 3-D appliance models that comply with the new Google(R) SketchUp(TM) Dynamic Components standards, starting with the KitchenAid(R) Architect(R) Series II Suite. These new 3-D appliance models, available in the Google(R) Dynamic Components Collection, provide users with easy access to information, such as SKU numbers, color and finish availability, and how each model qualifies for national green home certification programs, including ENERGY STAR(R) home and LEED(R) for Homes. Additionally, the appliance models include Web site links to more relevant product and brand information. “As Google SketchUp continues to become more and more robust, Whirlpool Corporation is keeping pace to make the design process as easy as possible,” said Tom Halford, general manager of contract sales and marketing at Whirlpool Corporation. “We will continue to add more 3-D appliance models from our KitchenAid, as well as Jenn-Air, Whirlpool, Maytag and Gladiator brands.” Google SketchUp is an easy-to-learn, software developed to provide quick 3-D forms for conceptual stages of design. Part of this software includes a repository of 3-D building objects that expedite the design process. As with the original 3-D appliance models offered from Whirlpool Corporation, the new KitchenAid(R) Architect(R) Series II Suite brand models in the Dynamic Components Collection provide designers and their clients the ability to visualize their designs in 3-D. This makes it easier to determine the configurations that will work best. Plus, the SketchUp models can then be converted into all major CAD products without having to draw designs twice. As part of The Inside Advantage(TM) program, the Architecture & Design Marketing Group creates educational, informational and experiential resources and events to engage design professionals and build on their knowledge of Whirlpool Corporation’s portfolio of brands. Recent industry firsts developed by the group include the first home plan book/CD/Web site of green home designs for the housing industry, in collaboration with Alan Mascord Design Associates; the first Podcast series for architects and designers to receive continuing education (CE) credit; and the first branded appliance collections for Google(R) SketchUp(TM), AutoCAD(R), 20/20 Fusion and Chief Architect(R) CAD software users within Google’s 3D Warehouse. For information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for architects and designers, please visit insideadvantage.com/digitalgreen or call 1-800-253-3977. Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion, more than 73,000 employees, and approximately 70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Gladiator and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world.
