Expansion Management

GE Oil & Gas to Open an Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Florida

Sept. 26, 2014

GE will manufacture its Mooney regulators and Becker control valves for the energy industry at the new plant in Jacksonville.

Adrienne Selko

GE Oil & Gas is investing $50 million to manufacture its Mooney regulators and Becker control valves for the energy industry, among other oil and gas industry products, at a new advanced manufacturing facility located in Jacksonville, Florida.

The facility, announced on Sept. 26, is expected to open in November 2014.

“The new GE Oil & Gas facility in Jacksonville will bring at least 500 jobs.” said Florida Gov. Rick Scott. “Last year we eliminated the sales tax on manufacturing equipment in order to build up manufacturing in our state, and now businesses like GE Oil & Gas can save money and be more competitive. Florida businesses have already created more than 640,000 private-sector jobs since December 2010, so let's keep working to provide even more opportunities for Florida families.”

The new facility will incorporate advanced manufacturing processing technologies to foster the innovation of oil and gas products.

“We see advanced manufacturing as the next chapter in the Industrial Revolution," said Chuck Nugent, vice president of manufacturing, GE Oil & Gas.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.