Whirlpool names exec to head ‘integrated’ European business

Whirlpool names exec to head ‘integrated’ European business

Esther Berrozpe. Courtesy Whirlpool

Whirlpool is making leadership changes abroad after a recent acquisition.

"Unified leadership"

Whirlpool Corporation’s completed acquisition of Indesit, based in Milan, Italy, in October has resulted in integration activities within Whirlpool's Europe, Middle East and Africa region, or EMEA.

Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool acquired Indesit as part of its strategy to grow its European business. Indesit has been one of the major appliance brands in the U.K.

Whirlpool said this week that Esther Berrozpe, president of Whirlpool EMEA, will “assume leadership of the company's integrated European business,” effective Jan. 1.

In the role, Berrozpe will be responsible for the combined operations of Whirlpool and Indesit.

Marco Milani has announced his plans to step down from his position as Indesit CEO, effective Dec. 31. He became chairman and CEO of Indesit in May 2013, after serving as CEO since 2004.

"As a newly combined company, the importance of having a unified leadership team will be central to the success of Whirlpool EMEA going forward," said Marc Bitzer, vice chairman, Whirlpool Corporation.

“This marks an important milestone as we position our European business for growth and ongoing value creation throughout the upcoming integration process and as we focus on product innovation, margin expansion and delivering on our commitments to consumers within the region.”

Berrozpe background

Berrozpe was named president of EMEA and EVP of Whirlpool Corporation in 2013, according to Whirlpool’s website. Previously, she served as VP of European markets for Whirlpool EMEA.

She joined Whirlpool EMEA in 2000, where she has held a number of positions, starting in Spain as marketing director, followed by moves to Italy and the U.S., where she was VP of brands and products, before to returning to Europe in 2012.

Prior to joining Whirlpool, Berrozpe held posts with Wella Group in Spain, Sara Lee and Paglieri in Italy.

She holds a degree in economics and business administration from Deusto University in Spain.

Whirlpool

Whirlpool is the world's leading global maker of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2013, 69,000 employees and 59 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world.