Politicians are weighing in on the Justice Department’s ruling which clears the way of Whirlpool’s purchase of Maytag. Senator Tom Harkin, who had opposed the merger, issued a statement expressing his “disappointment” with the Justice Department decision. Harkin said he’d do whatever he could to try to “protect” Maytag jobs. Iowa’s Governor did not issue a statement, nor did the state’s economic development department.
Newton’s Mayor saw one positive: state and local officials now know just who they’ll be working with to try and keep jobs in Newton. Newton Mayor Chaz Allen says things will “move into high gear” now and Whirlpool will be presented with a series of incentives from both the state and the city.
Maytag shareholders benefited immediately from the announcement. The price of Maytag stock jumped 28 percent yesterday. The chairman of Whirlpool told the Reuters news agency yesterday that there had been a number of issues the two companies had not been able to discuss before the Justice Department go-ahead, including any possible plant closures. Whirlpool plans to close on the Maytag deal by April 3rd.