GE’s
Industrial Solutions business (NYSE:GE) is investing $5 million to
strengthen its Mebane, N.C., operations, adding production and testing
capabilities that enhance the customer experience. The investment builds
on the company’s local footprint that was expanded in October 2013 with
the grand opening of GE’s Power Equipment and Power Components global
headquarters in Cary, N.C.
The investment will enable Mebane operations to transition to a
dedicated, regional customer experience center where co-located teams
will work collaboratively to streamline manufacturing processes and
bring new electrical distribution technologies to market. Production of
GE’s automatic transfer switches for the data center market is also
included in the transition, creating approximately 60 jobs and related
growth to the local economy.
“Industrial Solutions is investing heavily in its global business by
tapping into North Carolina’s vast talent pool to accelerate its ability
to deliver high-quality solutions to customers,” said Stuart Thompson,
general manager of Power Equipment, GE’s Industrial Solutions business.
“We have continued to add jobs and have increased our Cary team by more
than 20 percent as part of our ongoing commitment to the area,
revitalizing our product portfolio and bringing customers the best
products faster than ever.”
GE’s Mebane plant manufactures lighting panels, power panels, low- and
medium-voltage motor control equipment, switchgear and electrical
vehicle charging stations. These solutions meet vital electrical needs
of customers in commercial construction, mission-critical data centers
and heavy industrial markets such as water wastewater treatment
facilities.
Mebane will break ground on a number of expansions this year and next,
including:
-
Low- and Medium-Voltage Product Certification Lab for sharing
prototype and design concepts with customers. The lab will be
compliant with product testing standards to gain third-party approvals.
-
Product Accelerator Lab for rapid prototyping and technology
development.
-
Enhanced showroom to allow customers to touch, see and feel
products.
-
Customer and Employee Training Center for continuous learning
opportunities, including new product introductions and processes.
“Our growing workforce and expanded manufacturing capabilities are true
testaments to the Mebane employees’ hard work and dedication,” said Jeff
Blakeman, plant manager, GE’s Mebane operations. “This investment will
enable our plant to take customer service one step further by optimizing
production with advanced manufacturing capabilities and utilizing lean
methodologies to enhance quality and improve lead times.”
GE’s global investments focus on redefining the Industrial Solutions
product portfolio and accelerating its ability to deliver high-quality
solutions faster than ever before through rapid prototyping with 3-D
printing and early customer feedback and validation.
About GE
GE (NYSE:GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best
technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in
energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering,
moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For
more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
A GE heritage business, Industrial Solutions, is leading the future of
electrification with advanced technologies that protect and control the
distribution of electricity throughout a facility’s infrastructure. The
business provides customers, across various industries, with end-to-end
product and service solutions that help ensure the reliability and
protection of the electrical infrastructure. Industrial Solutions’
product and service solutions add to GE’s broader portfolio of leading
technology solutions for the delivery, management conversion and
optimization of electrical power for customers across multiple
energy-intensive industries.
Follow GE Energy Management and its Industrial Solutions, Digital Energy
and Intelligent Platforms businesses on Twitter @GE_EnergyMgmt,
@GEindustrial,
@YourSmartGrid
and @GE_IP.
Copyright Business Wire 2014