SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE CONMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ---------------------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 24, 1999 WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION ---------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-3932 38-1490038 - ---------------------------- ---------------- ------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) Number) Identification No.) 2000 M63 North, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022-2692 --------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive officers) (Zip Code) (616)-923-5000 -------------------------------------------------- Registrant's telephone number, including area code Item 4 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountants - ------------------------------------------------------ The Board of Directors of the Registrant's subsidiary, Brasmotor S.A. ("Brasmotor"), approved on June 24, 1999 the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP as its independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999 to replace the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores Independentes, Brazil, who were dismissed as auditors of Brasmotor effective July 1, 1999. The reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores Independentes, Brazil, on the financial statements of Brasmotor for the past two fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. In connection with the audits of the financial statements of Brasmotor for each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1998 and through June 24, 1999, there were no disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores Independentes, Brazil, on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope and procedures which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores Independentes, Brazil, would have caused PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores Independentes, Brazil, to make reference to the matter in their report. The Company has requested PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores Independentes, Brazil, to furnish it a letter addressed to the Commission stating whether it agrees with the above statements. A copy of that letter, dated June 25, 1999 is filed as Exhibit 1 to this Form 8-K. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION Registrant Date: June 30, 1999 By: /s/ Robert T. Kenagy ------------------------------------- Name: Robert T. Kenagy Title: Associate General Counsel and Secretary June 25, 1999 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20549 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have read Item 4 of Form 8-K dated June 24, 1999 of Whirlpool Corporation and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Yours very truly, PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores Independentes Sao Paulo, Brazil