Whirlpool Corporation
WHR
Consumer Discretionary
1
exclusion reason
1 theme
This page is part of our public exclusion list — a transparency tool that shows which companies we screen out and why. It is not investment advice, and it is not an accusation. But it is subject to change as our understanding of the facts evolves.
Whirlpool Corporation designs its appliances with integrated electronic control boards and specialized components available only through Whirlpool-authorized channels. This forces consumers and independent repair technicians into a monopoly aftermarket, where replacement parts are sold at significant markups and repair information is tightly controlled.
The company has actively defended this model through litigation and trade complaints. In a 2012 case before the U.S. International Trade Commission, Whirlpool petitioned to block imports of aftermarket parts for its appliances, arguing they infringed on trade dress. More recently, the company has welcomed court rulings in pricing lawsuits that reinforce its control over distribution channels.
Product reliability issues compound the cost of repair barriers. In 2019, Whirlpool recalled hundreds of thousands of washing machines due to fire risks.
Research Sources
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Companies appear on our exclusion list based on our investment judgment — not because they've done anything illegal. This is a difference of values and opinion, not an accusation of wrongdoing. Exclusion does not constitute a recommendation against investing in any company, and absence from the list does not constitute a recommendation to invest.
This information is provided for educational and transparency purposes only and should not be relied upon as investment advice. Data is drawn from independent watchdogs, NGOs, government registries, and Ethical Capital's ongoing research — see Research Sources for the full list.
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