Whirlpool of Benton Harbor, Mich., announced layoffs and additional facility closures in anticipation of continuing worldwide economic difficulties. In anticipation of this environment, the company plans to reduce its global workforce by approximately 5,000 positions by the end of 2009. In addition to the four facility closures the company announced earlier this year, the company's Jackson, Tenn., facility is scheduled to close and production is to be transferred to Whirlpool's Findlay, Ohio, location."