CINCINNATI – GE Aerospace plans to invest nearly $1 billion in its U.S. factories and supply chain to strengthen manufacturing and increase the use of innovative new parts and materials needed for the future of flight. This new investment is nearly double last year’s commitment and will help increase engine safety, quality, and delivery, benefitting more than two dozen communities across 16 states. The company also announced it will hire around 5,000 U.S. workers this year, including both manufacturing and engineering roles.
“Investing in manufacturing and innovation is more critical than ever for the future of our industry and the communities where we operate,” said H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace.”We are committed to helping our customers modernize and expand their fleets while scaling technologies that will truly define the future of flight. Together, this will keep the United States at the forefront of aerospace leadership.”
The following are some examples of how the investments will be allocated with the remaining funds set to be deployed based on need. View an interactive map of some of the initial planned investments announced today.
$500 million to expand capacity to strengthen quality and delivery
GE Aerospace is growing its capacity and expanding several key sites, especially those that support the production and assembly of the narrowbody CFM* LEAP engine, where deliveries are expected to increase by 15-20% this year. These investments, combined with GE Aerospace’s proprietary lean operating model, FLIGHT DECK, are improving safety, quality, delivery and cycle times. Some of these investments include:
- $113 million in Greater Cincinnati: Facility upgrades and additional equipment for several sites in the area that produce, test, and assemble many of the company’s commercial and military engines.
- $70 million in Muskegon, Michigan: Breaking ground on an expansion to produce parts for the hot section of the engine.
- $16 million in Durham, North Carolina, and $5 million in Lafayette, Indiana: Additional equipment to support the assembly of commercial engines, including LEAP.
- $13 million in West Jefferson, North Carolina: Expanding the building to increase production of key parts of the engine.
- $200 million investment in military engine production: The company is investing in sites, including Lynn, Massachusetts, and Madisonville, Kentucky, to gear up for the new T901 Black Hawk and Apache helicopter engine and continue producing other military engines.
$100+ million to scale innovative materials and parts
The company’s investments are also scaling the production of innovative parts made from new materials and advanced manufacturing processes that provide engines with more range, power, and efficiency. This includes additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, which reduces part count, increasing fuel efficiency and durability while providing greater design freedom as well as ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). CMCs are one-third the weight of traditional materials but can operate at up to 500 degrees hotter, meaning greater power and durability for engines. Among the investments to further scale these technologies include:
- $51 million in Auburn, Alabama: Additional 3D printers, upgrades to existing equipment and tooling to increase capacity and ensure quality.
- $14 million in West Chester, Ohio: Additional 3D printer, industrial furnace, and upgrades to facility to increase capacity.
- $22 million in Huntsville, Alabama: Additional machines to produce materials that are the building blocks for ceramic matrix composite engine parts.
- $20 million in Asheville, North Carolina: Additional equipment to produce ceramic matrix composite engine parts, new inspection equipment, and advanced machines that can shape metal parts to precise specifications.
- $11 million in Batesville, Mississippi: Industrial oven, precision measuring tools, high-precision machines, and inspection technology to maintain quality.
$100+ million for external supplier base
The almost $1 billion investment includes $100+ million dedicated to the company’s external supplier base, providing investments to ensure suppliers are using the newest tools to produce parts, further reducing defects and supply chain constraints.
Today’s hiring news builds on the more than 900 engineers and 1,000 new manufacturing workers GE Aerospace hired last year, and $2.3 million in donations from GE Aerospace and its Foundation to more than a dozen communities to support workforce development skills training.
Engines made by GE Aerospace and its joint venture partners power three out of every four commercial flights around the world and two of three U.S. military combat and helicopter aircraft.
*CFM LEAP engines are made by CFM International, a 50-50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.
Media Release/Matthew Lehner/GE Aerospace
