The Economy

GE Adding 220 More Jobs for Advanced Manufacturing in Michigan

May 4, 2010

The company has committed to creating more than 1,300 jobs over the next five years in the state.

General Electric Co.s expansion plans in Michigan are expanding.

The company is creating 220 advanced manufacturing jobson top of the 1,100 jobs it already has promisedto support growth in next-generation technologies that improve the fuel efficiency of current and future jet engines that will power commercial and military aircraft, GE Vice Chairman John Rice said.

Of the 220 new jobs, 90 will be added to our Johnson Technology facility in Muskegon and 130 will be added to a facility near Van Buren Township, Rice added.

GE employs approximately 2,400 people in Michigan. With the expanded jobs commitment, GE will bring its total Michigan employment to 3,500 across several facilities, including those in Van Buren Township, Muskegon and Grand Rapids, with incremental investments based upon state and local incentives, according to the company.

While we are in the early days of our partnership with Michigan, we love what weve seen and want to accelerate our growth, Rice said. The exceptional number of talented, experienced professionalscoupled with the states strong advanced technology manufacturing capabilitiesmakes putting additional jobs here an easy decision. Growing jobs in Michigan means growth for GE.

The Advanced Manufacturing and Software Technology Center in Van Buren Township is the focal point for GEs aerospace technology efforts and currently employs more than 200 experienced information technology professionals. Hiring at the site is ahead of schedule and progressing at a rate of two people per day, according to the company.

The center also will include a research facility where GE will develop future manufacturing technologies focusing on components for next generation aircraft engines. It will bring together experts in software development, data architecture, networking, business intelligence and program management to further the development of advanced solutions.

The information technologists and engineers that will work at this center will help GE develop innovative new software, processes and technologies to drive excellence in manufacturing for GE and its customers, said Charlene Begley, president and CEO of GE Home & Business Solutions and senior vice president and CIO for GE. The center will be GEs single largest global population of IT talent.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.