Families of children who died in the local cancer cluster filed a $5 million class-action lawsuit against Whirlpool Corp. alleging the company is responsible for the cluster. This is the second class-action lawsuit regarding the cluster filed by people affected against the company in 2013. The Eastern Sandusky County Cancer Cluster affected at least 35 children in a 6.7-mile radius including Clyde, Green Creek Township and much of Fremont. The latest lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Toledo, alleges Whirlpool dumped toxins at the now-closed Whirlpool Park near Green Springs, and that cancer-causing materials were found in high levels at other sites it alleges Whirlpool used to dump materials. The 29 plaintiffs on the lawsuit include Warren Brown of Clyde, Steven Keller of Sandusky and Trina Donnersbach of Clyde, all of whom have been outspoken regarding the cancer cluster. Brown's and Donnersbach's daughters died of cancer, and Keller lost a grandson. Others are family members of cancer victims, people who developed cancer or other diseases or are mentally disabled. They allege Whirlpool Corp. dumped toxins in the Clyde area that caused the illnesses and disabilities. Their property values also have declined because of contamination, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit as individuals and as a class-action suit because there are at least 100 class members. The other plaintiffs are Cinda McGilton of Clyde, Teresa Bruggeman of Fremont, David and Donna Hisey of Clyde, Tyler Hisey Smith of Clyde, Robert and Kathleen Caster of Green Springs, Jeremy Lunsford of Bellevue, Brian and Angie McGrady of Clyde, Sherri Walden of Gibsonburg, Diane Weiker of Green Springs, Mark Weiker of Green Springs, Dustin Weiker of Green Springs, Brian Weiker of Green Springs, Joyce and Carlos Weiker of Green Springs, Phoebe and Teddy Pinion of Green Springs, Norma and Gary Meade of Clyde, Jami and David Bettinger of Green Springs, Larry Ross Jr. of Green Springs and Herbert Lee and Renee Farley of Green Springs.

Whirlpool Corp. launched a line of smart appliances with 6th Sense Live(TM) technology. Whirlpool brand will make smart home management a reality this month in the Chicagoland area with the release of a suite of smart appliances along with a free mysmartappliances app. Whirlpool brand smart appliances are available for purchase nationally through Abt Electronics in Chicago and from other retailers later this year 2013. The line includes: Whirlpool(R) Smart Side-by-Side Refrigerator with 6th Sense Live(TM) technology (WRL767SIAM). Available in Monochromatic Stainless Steel, MSRP $1,999. Whirlpool(R) Smart Dishwasher with 6th Sense Live(TM) technology (WDL785SAAM). Available in Monochromatic Stainless Steel, MSRP $949. Whirlpool(R) Smart Front Load Washer and Electric Dryer with 6th Sense Live(TM) technology (WFL98HEB/WEL98HEB).

Whirlpool Corp. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the period, the company reported net sales of $4,248 million against $4,348 million a year ago. Operating profit was $254 million against $204 million a year ago. Earnings before income taxes were $190 million against $133 million a year ago. Net earnings available to the company were $252 million or $3.12 per diluted share against $92 million or $1.17 per diluted share a year ago. Cash used in operating activities was $305 million against $423 million a year ago. Capital expenditures were $74 million against $92 million a year ago. On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share improved to $1.97, compared to $1.41 in the prior year, driven by continued favorable product price and mix and the benefit of cost and capacity-reduction initiatives. On an adjusted basis, operating profit totaled $280 million, 6.6% of sales, compared with $231 million, 5.3% of sales, in the prior year. For the fiscal year 2013, the company expected cash provided by operating activities of $1,200 million to $1,300 million, capital expenditures and proceeds from sale of assets of $600 million to $650 million, free cash flow of $600 million to $650 million and GAAP EPS of $9.80 to $10.30.