I'm pretty sure Whirlpool closed down the Newton plant in 2007. Maytag (before the Whirlpool take over) actually manufactured two completely different lines of laundry equipment. The Newton, Iowa plant (their original) turned out the regular Maytag "Dependable Care" line and commercial coin-op machines. When Maytag bought out Norge, they kept the laundry plant in Herrin, Illinois. The Illinois plant turned out Norge, Crosley, Admiral, Magic Chef, and Performa brands. Sadly, Whirlpool shut it down, too. Even the low end stuff from the Herrin plant had an edge on Whirlpool (belt drive, 3/4 h.p. motors, 22 lb. capacity), but the plant was old and needed updating.
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