Whirlpool Shuts Down Oxford Assembly Line

After 53 years, Oxford's Whirlpool plant is closing its doors

After 53 years, Whirlpool has stopped producing kitchen appliances in Oxford. Cari Gervin has more.

Thursday was the final day for over 400 employees at the plant, which was one of Oxford’s largest employers. Another hundred and fifty workers will help shut it down over the next two weeks before officially losing their jobs.

Whirlpool’s communications director, Jill Saletta, said the plant closure was, quote, “difficult, but it was the correct decision for the business overall.”

Supervisor Jim Seeley still has two weeks on the job, but he’s already mourning the loss of his other family.

“And I just walked out the building and as I was taking my footsteps, it’s so quiet and peaceful, and you’re just so used to the teamwork and the people getting along and even on our Thursdays and Fridays to bring in potluck dinners. It’s kind of a sad day, a sad day for, you know, Oxford, a sad day for, you know, Whirlpool Corporation.”

But after 19 years at Whirlpool, employee J. B. Brown said he was ready for a change.

“It’s been nice. I’ve enjoyed it. And now I’m fixing to rest.”

And in this economy, he could be resting quite a long time. For MPB News, I’m Cari Gervin in Oxford.