Maytag Corporation Forms New Appliance Services Business

Maytag Corporation Forms New Appliance Services Business

		MAYTAG LOGO Maytag Corporation is a leading producer of home and commercial appliances. Its products are sold to customers throughout North America and in international markets. (PRNewsFoto)[TC] NEWTON, IA USA

NEWTON, Iowa, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Maytag Corporation (NYSE: MYG) has formed a new business to create growth in home and commercial services, with an initial focus on providing in-home consumer appliance service. Maytag Services will expand its existing capabilities of servicing only Maytag brand appliances to the repair and maintenance of all major appliance brands. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000505/MYGLOGO ) "We are enthusiastic about the potential for this new business and the extension of the Maytag name and reputation for dependability to an area outside of manufacturing," said Ralph Hake, Maytag chairman and chief executive officer. "Service is a significant growth opportunity for the company and the establishment of Maytag Services is expected to move the organizational mission from being solely a provider for Maytag Appliances to that of a growth-oriented services business." The creation by Maytag of a comprehensive appliance services company follows recommendations from a special team, which studied the industry situation and opportunities during the past year. The team found that conveniently scheduled, quality all-brand service by Maytag would be of value to consumers seeking in-home appliance repair, improving the quality of the consumer service experience. "With the changing marketplace, consumers today have fewer appliance service options," said Steve Benton, vice president, Maytag Services. "Maytag's brand and heritage create a unique opportunity to provide consumers with a quality service alternative." In the past, the service division supported only the Maytag Appliances business and company brands. With today's announcement, the new company plans to support all major brands in select markets, including a new agreement with Samsung Electronics America, a leading electronics and home appliance manufacturer with No. 1 global market share in microwave ovens. The agreement authorizes Maytag Services as a service center for warranty and out-of-warranty service on unique Samsung appliances. As the new company grows, Maytag Services will seek other clients and comprehensive service support relationships. "Samsung is committed to offering world-class service and support on its award-winning and innovative Home Appliance products, which today includes a full assortment of refrigerators, microwaves, and air conditioners," said John Garrison, executive vice president/Digital Business, Digital Consumer Electronics Division, Samsung Electronics North America. "We are pleased to add Maytag Services to support our growing, valued customer base." "We are committed to innovation and finding new ways to grow revenue opportunities for the company," Benton said. "This is truly an expansion of Maytag and we intend to invest in its development, obtaining the necessary technology to run a best-in-class services business, and in hiring and training technicians and support staff." Maytag Corporation is a leading producer of home and commercial appliances. Its products are sold to customers throughout North America and in international markets. The corporation's principal brands include Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Jade, Hoover and Dixie-Narco. Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this news release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by those statements. For a description of such factors, refer to "Forward Looking Statements" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis section of Maytag's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and each quarter's 10-Q.