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GE To Build Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Pennsylvania

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—GE recently announced that it will build a new Pennsylvania manufacturing facility to drive innovation and implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies across GE.

The new facility represents a $32 million investment during the next three years 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 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—joining hardware with software—is bringing a new era of manufacturing, according to company representatives. Advanced manufacturing 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

“Advanced manufacturing is driving a profound change in industry and at GE. It is how we will compete and win in the future,” said Dan Heintzelman, GE vice chairman, in a press release. “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, according to company representatives. Construction is expected to begin in March 2015 to be completed by September 2015.

“By integrating education, workforce training, and technology, we are cultivating a renaissance in Pennsylvania manufacturing,” said Governor Tom Corbett in the release. “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 in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida, while expanding and improving work in Alabama and Vermont.

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, Ala., 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.