GE Appliances plans to shift production of refrigerators, gas ranges, and water heaters from China and Mexico to the United States as part of a $3 billion investment. The move is expected to add over 1,000 jobs and ramp up domestic production at plants in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
The company’s CEO, Kevin Nolan, said that manufacturing close to customers is key to its long-term strategy. With lean manufacturing, upskilling its workforce, and automation, GE Appliances believes the math works for producing in the US. The majority of GE’s appliance production is already in the US, but this shift will transfer more work to domestic plants.
Production of gas ranges from Mexico will be relocated to a plant in Georgia, while six refrigerator models now made in China will be manufactured at its Alabama plant. The company has also announced plans to move production of clothes washers from China to its Louisville complex.
GE Appliances’ investment is part of President Trump’s efforts to lure factories back to the US by imposing import taxes on foreign goods. The company’s $3 billion plan includes ramping up production of gas ranges, refrigerators, and water heaters at its Southern plants. This investment will also include partnering with universities, technical schools, and high schools to train a skilled workforce.
The move is seen as a significant step towards GE Appliances’ goal of basing all production in the US. The company says it contributes over $30 billion annually to the US economy and supports over 113,000 jobs through its operations and distribution network.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ge-appliances-more-output-china-some-mexico-to-us-3-billion-investment