SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant |X| Filed by a party other than the Registrant |_| Check the appropriate box: |_| Preliminary Proxy Statement |_| Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |_| Definitive Proxy Statement |X| Definitive Additional Materials |_| Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12 MAYTAG CORPORATION ------------------------------------------ (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |X| No fee required. |_| Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: ----------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ----------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): ----------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ----------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Total fee paid: ----------------------------------------------------------------- |_| Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |_| Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: ----------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ----------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Filing Party: ----------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Date Filed: ----------------------------------------------------------------- July 21, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Karen Lynn and John Daggett Maytag Corporate Communications (641) 787-8185 or (641) 787-7711 KLYNN2@MAYTAG.COM JDAGGE@MAYTAG.COM MAYTAG RESPONDS TO WHIRLPOOL PROPOSAL NEWTON, Iowa (July 21, 2005) - Maytag Corporation (NYSE: MYG) announced today that its Board of Directors was unable to determine that the Whirlpool Corporation proposal announced on July 17 may reasonably be expected to lead to a financially superior transaction that is reasonably capable of being completed. Maytag stated that such a determination is a prerequisite under Maytag's existing merger agreement with the Ripplewood-led group for Maytag to furnish information to, and have discussions and negotiations with, Whirlpool. Maytag stated that it will continue to evaluate the Whirlpool proposal. Maytag also said that its Board of Directors has not changed its recommendation of the existing Ripplewood-led transaction. Maytag Corporation is a $4.7 billion home and commercial appliance company focused in North America and in targeted international markets. The corporation's primary brands are Maytag(R), Hoover(R), Jenn-Air(R), Amana(R), Dixie-Narco(R) and Jade(R). # # # FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This document includes statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding benefits of the proposed transactions, expected cost savings and anticipated future financial operating performance and results, including estimates of growth. These statements are based on the current expectations of management of Maytag. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this document. For example, with respect to the transaction with a group led by Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. (1) Maytag may be unable to obtain shareholder approval required for the transaction; (2) Maytag may be unable to obtain regulatory approvals required for the transaction, or required regulatory approvals may delay the transaction or result in the imposition of conditions that could have a material adverse effect on Maytag or cause the parties to abandon the transaction; (3) conditions to the closing of the transaction may not be satisfied or the merger agreement may be terminated prior to closing; (4) Maytag may be unable to achieve cost-cutting goals or it may take longer than expected to achieve those goals; (5) the transaction may involve unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities; (6) the credit ratings of Maytag or its subsidiaries may be different from what the parties expect; (7) the businesses of Maytag may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the transaction; (8) the industry may be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions that could adversely affect Maytag; and (9) Maytag may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Additional factors that may affect the future results of Maytag are set forth in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which are available at WWW.MAYTAGCORP.COM. Maytag undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT In connection with the proposed transaction with an investor group led by private equity firm Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., Maytag has filed a definitive proxy statement and may file other relevant documents concerning the proposed merger with SEC. WE URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND THE OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MAYTAG AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors can obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement as well as other filed documents containing information about Maytag at HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV, SEC's Web site. Free copies of Maytag's SEC filings are also available on Maytag's Web site at WWW.MAYTAGCORP.COM. PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION Maytag and its executive officers and directors and Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., Triton Acquisition Holding and Triton Acquisition and their respective affiliates, executive officers and directors may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Maytag's stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding the officers and directors of Maytag is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting filed with SEC on April 4, 2005. More detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by securities, holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the proxy statement and other materials filed or to be filed with SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.