U.S. operations five-year investment exceeds US$4bn for GE Aviation

The subsidiary of General Electric, GE Aviation, has invested in the region of US$4.3bn over the past five years in its U.S. operations. Known as a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft, the company has been buoyed by record production of new-generation jet engines, engine components and aircraft systems. In addition to investments in the U.S., GE Aviation has also invested in excess of US$1bn in its overseas sites.
Within the U.S. investments include US$214 million to establish five new plants in Ellisville, Mississippi; Auburn, Alabama; Asheville, North Carolina; Lafayette, Indiana; and Huntsville, Alabama, creating approximately two million square feet of new manufacturing floor space.
Additionally, GE Aviation has upgraded current U.S. operations with expansions in West Jefferson, NC; and Hooksett, New Hampshire, while also establishing centers for emerging technologies including additive manufacturing, digital engine monitoring, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) and electrical distribution.
According to Colleen Athans, Vice President and GM of the GE Aviation Supply Chain: “GE Aviation is a global company with significant technology capability around the world. At the same time, we are introducing several highly proprietary technologies that are upping our manufacturing capabilities in the United States.”
GE Aviation has a workforce of approximately 44,600 employees in 47 sites within the U.S. and 38 abroad, which includes more than 25,000 U.S. employees (16,500 in the U.S. supply chain). GE Aviation has a current industrial backlog valued at US$150 billion, while GE Aviation and CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, combined, have a backlog of 15,000-plus jet engines.
Approximately two-thirds of GE Aviation's over US$25 billion in annual revenues are generated from international sales, and roughly half of a GE commercial jet engine is produced with U.S. content, resulting in a significantly positive trade balance for the U.S.