ELLISVILLE, Miss.-July 27, 2011 -- GE Aviation, a global leader in jet engine and aircraft systems production, announced today it will open a new manufacturing facility in Ellisville, Miss., to meet accelerating global demand. GE will invest $56 million in the new facility. The company is targeting for production to begin in 2013 and will create 250 new high-tech manufacturing jobs by 2016.
The 300,000-square foot facility will manufacture advanced composite components for aircraft engines and systems for GE Aviation's growing business. The announcement follows the 2008 opening of GE Aviation's manufacturing facility in Batesville, Mississippi, which now employs 300 workers - and is growing. The two sites represent a $150 million investment by GE in aviation technology by the end of decade.
"We are excited to expand our production capability in Mississippi with the opening of a second plant that will create hundreds of new high-tech jobs this decade for the state," said David Joyce, President and CEO, GE Aviation. "GE has invested more than $12 billion in the research and development of reliable technology innovation over the past ten years, and today's announcement shows that commitment is paying off."
"Within ten years, GE Aviation will have created more than 600 jobs for Mississippi workers and invested $150 million in the state," said Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour.
The expansion into Mississippi underscores the growth at GE Aviation, where deliveries of commercial engines for GE and its partner companies will grow this year and in 2012, approaching record levels. Over the next several years, GE Aviation will invest hundreds of millions of dollars across its more than 30 operations in the U.S., including at new manufacturing operations in Auburn, Alabama; and in Mississippi. GE Aviation employs approximately 17,000 workers in manufacturing in the U.S.
In 2011, deliveries of commercial engines produced by GE Aviation, CFM International (50/50 joint company of GE and Snecma), and the Engine Alliance (50/50 joint company of GE and Pratt & Whitney) will grow approximately 10 percent over 2010 deliveries of 2000 engines.Combined with GE's military engines, total engine deliveries in 2011 for GE Aviation and its partner companies are expected to reach 3,200 engines.
During the Paris Air Show in June, GE Aviation and its joint venture companies accumulated engine and services orders valued at more than $27 billion. More than 25,000 engines manufactured by GE and its joint venture partners are on planes around the world.
GE develops and produces the world's most advanced composite components for jet engines and systems. Composite components being produced by GE Aviation in Mississippi provide greater durability and engine weight savings, which translate into better aircraft fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance and replacement costs. GE Aviation introduced composite fan blades to jet travel in 1995 with its GE90 engine on the Boeing 777. Since then, composite components have continued to be incorporated into both GE commercial and military engines, as well as into aircraft systems.
Members of Mississippi Delegation react to GE Aviation announcement:
*Senator Thad Cochran: "GE Aviation will find South Mississippi to be a good home. I am grateful for the efforts made by Governor Barbour, the Mississippi Development Authority and others who made this excellent news possible."
*Senator Roger Wicker: "I applaud GE Aviation's commitment to locate and invest in Mississippi."
*Congressman Gregg Harper: "During this time of economic uncertainty, Mississippians welcome with open arms the 250 GE jobs this venture will create."
*Congressman Steven Palazzo: "The location of the new GE Aviation facility in Ellisville will be a welcome addition to the aviation and manufacturing industry in Mississippi."
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.
