On successive days last week, two large and highly respected businesses announced voluntary recalls in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Collectively, the recalls impact almost 14 million products nationwide.
The first recall came by Whirlpool Corp., the largest marketer and manufacturer of home appliances in the world. At issue are 1.7 million dishwashers made by the Maytag unit of the company. Whirlpool acquired the former Maytag Corp. in March 2006. Dishwasher brands included in the recall are Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley.
The CPSC reported Whirlpool Corp. has received 12 reports of electrical failures in the dishwashers’ heating element. These failures have led to home fires and damage. It is reported one kitchen fire caused extensive damage, but no injuries have been reported.
The recalled dishwashers were made with black, bisque, white, silver and stainless steel front panels. They were sold at department and appliance stores nationwide from February 2006 through April 2010. The units cost between $250 and $900.
The following day, fast-food giant McDonald’s USA joined the CPSC in announcing the recall of 12 million “Shrek Forever After” drinking glasses, priced at about $2 each. The U.S.-made collectibles had been sold at the company’s restaurants nationwide. Consumers were warned to stop using the glasses immediately because of the presence of a carcinogen called cadmium, which was found present in the painted designs. According to research, long-term exposure to cadmium can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems. McDonald’s promptly stopped selling its remaining glasses.
When companies face perils affecting the health and well-being of consumers who purchase their products, it is not the circumstance that history will remember. Instead, it is how these companies respond to the crises.
In both cases, Whirlpool and McDonald’s, response has been swift and voluntary. Whirlpool has set aside $75 million to cover the dishwasher recall. Consumers who purchased these affected appliances have the choice of scheduling a free in-home repair or receiving a $150-to-$250 rebate toward a replacement. The amount of rebate depends on the model purchased.
McDonald’s was expected to post refund instructions on its Web site this week.
Laws of average tell this story. Any company that manufactures products for public use could eventually face a recall of some type. Recalls don’t make a company bad. Failure to act responsibly, and in a timely fashion, will do that. In neither case -- Whirlpool or McDonald’s -- have we seen evidence to suggest reaction has been anything less than appropriate.
Whirlpool and McDonald’s are represented well, and highly respected, within our Cleveland and Bradley County community. Both employers provide large payrolls to our local economy. Each is a strong player in our tax base, and both are reliable community servants through volunteerism and support of many worthy nonprofit initiatives. We encourage local consumers who have done business with these reputable companies to accept their good-faith offers toward overcoming these temporary setbacks.
As we said, bad things sometimes happen to good companies. In these cases, we believe good will rise to the top.a
