GE today announced that it will build a new manufacturing facility to
drive innovation and implementation of advanced manufacturing
technologies across GE. The new facility represents a $32M investment
over three years by the company and will result in the creation of 50
high-tech engineering jobs initially, in disciplines ranging from
mechanical and electrical to systems and software engineering. These
technologists will join GE’s global network of 50,000 world-class
scientists, engineers, and skilled labor who are working to solve some
of the world’s toughest challenges.
The new facility reflects GE’s belief that the intersection of
technology and manufacturing – marrying hardware with software – is
bringing a new era of manufacturing. Advanced Manufacturing is about
making things better and faster for customers. It includes new digital
fabrication technology, lean manufacturing methods and
rapid-prototyping, advanced materials sciences, supply chain efficiency
and open innovation. The facility will focus on improving capabilities
and usage of additive manufacturing across GE while advancing materials
sciences and inspection technologies.
Dan Heintzelman, GE vice chairman said, “Advanced manufacturing is
driving a profound change in industry and at GE. It is how we will
compete and win in the future. We can more efficiently invent and build
products for our customers, while driving better margins for our
investors. This new facility is crucial for bringing advanced
manufacturing technology to all our businesses.”
Pennsylvania is already home to more than 8,500 GE employees with
significant presence from GE’s Transportation, Power & Water, Oil & Gas
and Energy Management business. The site will be located outside of
Pittsburgh in Findlay Township, PA to capitalize on the renowned
academic institutions and skilled workforce in the area. Construction is
expected to begin in March 2015 to be completed by September 2015.
Governor Tom Corbett said, “By integrating education, workforce training
and technology, we are cultivating a renaissance in Pennsylvania
manufacturing. I am proud of the economic environment we have created to
encourage global companies like GE to invest in our future and in our
skilled and talented workers. The 50 high-tech jobs GE is creating with
this project is terrific news for hard working families in southwest
Pennsylvania.”
This facility represents another major GE investment in U.S.
manufacturing technology. In the past two years alone, GE has
established new Advanced Manufacturing locations for GE
Power & Water in Greenville, SC; GE
Aviation in Asheville, North Carolina; and GE
Oil & Gas in Jacksonville, FL; while expanding work in GE
Aviation in Auburn, AL and improving manufacturing at GE Aviation in
Rutland, Vermont.
Changing GE manufacturing is seeing financial results. In Rutland,
Vermont a $75 million investment to expand the site to allow GE Aviation
to use advanced materials has led to more than $300 million in engine
production savings. Next year in Auburn, AL, mass production begins on
the complex interiors of fuel nozzles for the next-generation LEAP jet
engine being developed by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of GE
and France’s Snecma (Safran). Each engine has 20 nozzles (produced by
Advanced Atomization Technologies, a GE and Parker Aerospace joint
venture) with GE’s special 3D-printed interiors to make the engine more
durable, lighter, and fuel efficient. 3D printing allows GE to make the
nozzle interiors as one part rather than 20 individual parts, reducing
the number of brazes and welds required using traditional methods.
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.
Copyright Business Wire 2014