With annual sales of over $12bn, Whirlpool is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances. The group also employs 68,000 people and operates almost 50 manufacturing and technology research centres worldwide. Its main products include home laundry appliances, refrigerators and freezers, cooking appliances, dishwashers, room air-conditioning equipment and other small household appliances. It operates major brand names such as Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Brastemp, Bauknecht and Consul.