For the plan year ended December 31, 2003
Table of Contents

CONFORMED COPY

 

 


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 11-K

 


 

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (No Fee Required)

 

For the plan year ended December 31, 2003

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (No Fee Required)

 

Commission file number 1-3932

 


 

Full title of plan: WHIRLPOOL 401(k) PLAN

 

Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Administration Center

2000 North M-63

Benton Harbor, MI 49022-2692

 



Table of Contents

Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule

 

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

with Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

EIN 38-1490038

Plan #001


Table of Contents

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule

 

Years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

Contents

 

     Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   1

Financial Statements

    

Statements of Assets Available for Benefits

   2

Statements of Changes in Assets Available for Benefits

   3

Notes to Financial Statements

   4

Supplemental Schedule

    

Schedule H, Line 4(i) – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

   10

 


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Trustees

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets available for benefits of the Whirlpool 401(k) Plan as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of changes in assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the changes in its assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2003, is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

 

June 8, 2004

 

Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, IL

   

 

1


Table of Contents

EIN 38-1490038

Plan #001

 

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Statements of Assets Available for Benefits

 

     December 31

     2003

   2002

Contributions receivable:

             

Employer

   $ 14,207,693    $ 16,116,883

Participant

     5,087,025      5,437,650

Investments at fair value:

             

Mutual funds

     454,208,282      343,991,944

Common and collective funds

     219,296,210      165,332,041

Common stock of Whirlpool Corporation

     104,476,286      93,228,227

Participant loans

     49,387,310      43,634,384
    

  

Total investments

     827,368,088      646,186,596
    

  

Assets available for benefits

   $ 846,662,806    $ 667,741,129
    

  

 

See accompanying notes.

 

2


Table of Contents

EIN 38-1490038

Plan #001

 

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Statements of Changes in Assets Available for Benefits

 

     Year ended December 31

 
     2003

   2002

 

Additions

               

Dividends on Whirlpool Corporation common stock

   $ 2,372,671    $ 2,082,226  

Other dividend income

     4,324,864      4,281,428  

Interest income

     10,704,330      10,246,891  
    

  


       17,401,865      16,610,545  

Employer contributions

     14,208,662      16,116,883  

Participant contributions

     56,424,348      55,783,306  

Rollover contributions

     2,614,442      4,075,382  
    

  


       73,247,452      75,975,571  
    

  


Total additions

     90,649,317      92,586,116  

Deductions

               

Benefit payments

     48,781,020      47,246,627  

Administrative expenses

     265,814      247,935  
    

  


Total deductions

     49,046,834      47,494,562  

Net realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments:

               

Whirlpool Corporation common stock

     38,922,159      (24,989,111 )

Mutual funds

     89,723,886      (90,626,266 )

Common and collective funds

     8,673,149      (7,635,174 )
    

  


       137,319,194      (123,250,551 )
    

  


Net increase (decrease)

     178,921,677      (78,158,997 )

Assets available for benefits:

               

Beginning of year

     667,741,129      745,900,126  
    

  


End of year

   $ 846,662,806    $ 667,741,129  
    

  


 

See accompanying notes.

 

3


Table of Contents

EIN 38-1490038

Plan #001

 

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

1. Description of Plan

 

The Whirlpool 401(k) Plan (the Plan) is a defined-contribution plan sponsored by Whirlpool Corporation and participating subsidiaries (referred to as Employer, Plan Sponsor, or Whirlpool). The following description of the Plan provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Whirlpool 401(k) Plan Summary Plan Description for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

 

Eligibility

 

Essentially all U.S.-based full-time and part-time employees of Whirlpool are eligible to participate upon employment. Participation in the Plan is voluntary. The Plan allows each participant to make tax-deferred contributions to the Plan, by payroll deduction, each payroll period, in any whole percentage of eligible earnings up to 50% (15% for highly compensated employees), but not to exceed the maximum allowable annual contribution, as determined by the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Effective May 1, 2002, participants who have attained age 50 by the end of the Plan year are eligible to make catch-up contributions subject to the limitations of Section 414(v) of the IRC. Such elections are made and can be adjusted on a daily basis by giving notice to the custodian via the voice response system, to be effective, in most cases, as of the beginning of the next payroll period. In addition, certain employees may make additional tax-deferred contributions to the Plan by directing a portion of any annual bonus due to the participant, of one or more designated bonus plans, be deposited into the Plan. The amount of any such additional tax-deferred contributions may be elected by the employee to equal the same percentage of any annual bonus payment as is applied for payroll deduction purposes or in any whole percentage between 0% and 75%, as the participant elects, provided, however, that the deduction percentage applicable to a participant who is a highly compensated participant may not exceed 15%.

 

Contributions and Vesting

 

Each year the Employer establishes performance goals. Performance is measured in terms of annual balanced scorecard measures as determined by the Whirlpool Board of Directors. The attainment of these goals results in an Employer matching contribution based on the tax-deferred contributions of each employee that do not exceed 5% of the employee’s eligible earnings. Regardless of performance, the Employer will make a guaranteed matching contribution of $0.25 per dollar that eligible employees contribute

 

4


Table of Contents

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

1. Description of Plan (continued)

 

to the Plan. The matching contribution was $0.43 per dollar of eligible employees’ contributions for 2003 and $0.50 for 2002, up to 5% of compensation. Employer matching contributions and tax-deferred contributions are 100% vested at all times. Participants who terminate employment during the year are not eligible for Employer matching contributions unless the termination is due to the participant’s retirement, death, disability, or a reduction in work force.

 

Participants may direct employee contributions to one or a combination of several fund alternatives offered by the Plan. Employer matching contributions are initially invested in the Whirlpool ESOP Plan, but may subsequently be transferred to another investment fund in accordance with provisions of the Plan.

 

Benefit Payments

 

On termination of service, a participant with an account balance of $5,000 or less will receive a single lump-sum distribution equal to the value of his or her account. Participants with account balances exceeding $5,000 can elect to receive a lump-sum distribution or may elect a monthly installment option. Monthly installments are paid over a period of time not to exceed 9 years and 11 months.

 

Participant Accounts

 

Deposits and withdrawals from each investment fund and transfers among investment funds are made at the direction of the participants. The Employer is responsible for determining that such transactions are in accordance with the Plan.

 

Income, including market value adjustments, under each of these funds is allocated to the participants’ accounts daily based on each participant’s equity in the fund.

 

The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s account.

 

Plan investments are made in the manner specified in the trust agreement and in accordance with the stated investment policies of the respective funds. To the extent monies available for investment are not immediately invested, as provided in the investment policy of each fund, such monies are temporarily invested in short-term income investments. All investments are made in light of a continuing evaluation of economic and market conditions that may cause such investment policy to vary from time to time.

 

5


Table of Contents

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

1. Description of Plan (continued)

 

Loans

 

The Plan provides for loans to participants in amounts up to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of a participant’s account balance, with a minimum loan amount of $500. Such loans are allocated to a separate loan account and treated for investment purposes as an investment of the account of the participant who received the loan.

 

Plan Termination

 

Although the Employer has not expressed any intent to terminate the Plan, it is free to do so at any time subject to the provisions of the IRC and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

Investments Held by the Trust

 

All the investments of the Plan are held by the trust. The custodian invests all assets of the trust except as follows: (i) the trustees direct the investment of the Whirlpool ESOP Plan; and (ii) the trustees may direct that a specified percentage of the assets credited to any or all of the investment fund or funds be allocated to one or more separate accounts within said investment fund and invested in accordance with the direction of the trustees or an investment manager designated by the trustees.

 

Contributions, loan distributions and repayments, and benefit payments are specifically identified to the fund or funds within the trust to which assets of the Plan are credited. Investment income and related expenses of the trust are allocated to the investment funds based on each investment fund’s proportionate share of the current value of the trust assets daily.

 

Effective February 22, 2002, the Whirlpool Stock Fund was converted to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and renamed the Whirlpool ESOP Plan. On a quarterly basis, participants have the option to reinvest dividends in additional shares of Whirlpool stock in the Whirlpool ESOP Plan or receive a cash payout. All dividends continue to be 100% vested.

 

6


Table of Contents

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Investment Valuation

 

Whirlpool common stock is valued at the last reported sales price on a national securities exchange on the last business day of the Plan year. The fair value of the participation units and shares owned by the Plan in the common and collective funds and mutual funds is based on quoted redemption or market values on the last business day of the Plan year. Participant loans are stated at their outstanding balances, which approximate fair value.

 

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Administrative Expenses

 

In general, Plan expenses, except for broker commissions, portfolio transaction fees, and investment management fees, are paid by Whirlpool.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the trustees to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

3. Investments

 

The fair value of individual investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan’s assets is as follows:

 

     December 31

     2003

   2002

Putnam Asset Allocation Balanced Fund

   $ 49,329,378    $ 38,406,666

Putnam New Opportunities Fund

     48,547,697      37,400,354

Putnam Voyager Fund

     121,456,128      105,457,585

Whirlpool Corporation common stock

     104,476,286      93,228,227

Putnam Stable Value Fund

     170,243,408      140,326,222

Neuberger & Berman Genesis Fund

     64,968,423      43,933,582

 

7


Table of Contents

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

4. Income Tax Status

 

The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service dated May 1, 2002, stating that the Plan is qualified under section 401(a) of the IRC and that the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this letter, the Plan was amended. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the IRC to maintain its qualification. The plan administrator believes that the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC and, therefore, believes that the Plan, as amended, is qualified and the related trust is tax-exempt.

 

5. Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of assets available for benefits.

 

6. Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500

 

The following is a reconciliation of assets available for benefits and benefits paid to participants per the financial statements to the Form 5500:

 

     December 31

 
     2003

    2002

 

Assets available for benefits per the financial statements

   $ 846,662,806     $ 667,741,129  

Deemed distributions of participant loans

     (1,414,466 )     (88,981 )
    


 


Assets available for benefits per the Form 5500

   $ 845,248,340     $ 667,652,148  
    


 


 

8


Table of Contents

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

6. Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500 (continued)

 

    

Year ended

December 31

2003


 

Benefits paid to participants per the financial statements

   $ 48,781,020  

Add: Deemed distributions of participant loans at December 31, 2003

     1,414,466  

Less: Deemed distributions of participant loans at December 31, 2002

     (88,981 )
    


Benefits paid to participants per the Form 5500

   $ 50,106,505  
    


 

Deemed distributions of loans are recorded as distributions on the Form 5500 but are recorded as investments in the financial statements.

 

9


Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Schedule


Table of Contents

EIN 38-1490038

Plan #001

 

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

 

Schedule H, Line 4(i) – Schedule of Assets

(Held at End of Year)

 

December 31, 2003

 

Description of Investment


  

Number of

Shares

or Units


 

Current

Value


Mutual funds:

          

Lazard International Equity Fund

   125,353   $ 1,425,260

Putnam* Discovery Growth Fund

   153,163     2,479,716

Putnam* Growth Opportunities Fund

   205,882     2,676,469

Putnam* Vista Fund

   411,173     3,400,403

Alger Growth Retirement Portfolio

   381,936     4,300,598

Alger Small-Cap Growth Retirement Portfolio

   353,021     5,489,477

Federated Stock Fund

   212,291     7,275,208

Putnam* Asset Allocation Conservative Fund

   849,645     7,502,363

TCW Galileo Select Equity I/Concentrated

   443,335     7,567,725

Putnam* International Voyager Fund

   434,523     8,221,178

PIMCO High Yield Fund

   1,111,750     10,861,793

Putnam* Asset Allocation Growth Fund

   1,283,293     12,986,928

Putnam* Income Fund

   2,690,355     18,240,608

Alger Mid-Cap Growth Retirement Portfolio

   1,427,393     21,810,569

Vanguard Windsor II Fund – Admiral Class

   578,532     27,202,595

EuroPacific Growth Fund

   942,263     28,465,766

Putnam* New Opportunities Fund

   1,250,907     48,547,697

Putnam* Asset Allocation Balanced Fund

   4,992,852     49,329,378

Neuberger & Berman Genesis Fund

   1,754,481     64,968,423

Putnam* Voyager Fund

   7,446,728     121,456,128
        

           454,208,282

Common and collective funds:

          

Putnam* Stable Value Fund

   170,243,408     170,243,408

Putnam* S&P 500 Index Fund

   1,411,273     39,205,173

Putnam* Bond Index Fund

   729,454     9,847,629
        

           219,296,210

Whirlpool Corporation* common stock

   1,438,077     104,476,286

Participant loans

   Varying maturities
and interest rate of
9%
    49,387,310
        

Total investments

       $ 827,368,088
        


*Party in interest.

 

10


Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees of the Whirlpool 401(k) Plan have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

   

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

   

Whirlpool 401(k) Plan

Date: June 23, 2004

       
   

By:

 

/s/ R. Stephen Barrett, Jr.


   

Name:

 

R. Stephen Barrett, Jr.

   

Title:

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

TO

 

FORM 11-K FOR

 

WHIRLPOOL 401(k) PLAN

 

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description of Exhibit


23   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, dated June 18, 2004