GE Aviation Breaks Ground on Auburn Facility

The facility seeks to employ 300 to 400 people later this decade

AUBURN, Ala., Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- GE Aviation, a global leader in jet engine and aircraft systems production, today hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of its new jet engine components factory in Auburn.

Governor Robert Bentley, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, Auburn Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. and Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard were among those who joined GE Aviation executives at the event.

The 300,000 square-foot advanced manufacturing plant will produce precision, super-alloy machined parts for GE jet engines that will power future commercial and military aircraft, and also to support the vast fleet of GE jet engines already in service.

Following the start of construction today, the facility is on schedule to open in late 2012. Limited hiring will begin next year. Additional hiring is slated for 2013 as production begins to ramp up.  GE Aviation's goal is to employ 300 to 400 people when the plant is at full ramp-up later this decade.

GE Aviation selected Auburn in large part because of its access to a skilled workforce and its proximity to Alabama's university system.  The facility is expected to develop collaborative relationships with Auburn University and Tuskegee University. This week, GE Aviation will begin recruiting at both Alabama campuses.

"GE Aviation has enjoyed significant success establishing 'Centers of Excellence' that focus on specific aviation components and processes within our supply chain," said Colleen Athans, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation. "We are very excited to add Auburn to our network of manufacturing operations."

The new Alabama facility underscores the growth of GE Aviation, where deliveries of commercial engines for GE and its partner companies will grow 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 two new manufacturing operations in neighboring 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 of France), and the Engine Alliance (50/50 joint company of GE and Pratt & Whitney) will grow more than 10 percent over 2010 deliveries of 2,000 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.

The Auburn groundbreaking ceremony comes on the heels of the Supplier Symposium that GE Aviation hosted in Tuscaloosa last month, attended by more than 100 Alabama companies. The symposium was held to expand GE's aerospace supplier network throughout Alabama.

In addition to supporting GE's anticipated growth in new engines, advanced components manufactured in Auburn will also support the enormous base of GE engines already in operational service. For example, GE and its partner companies currently operate more than 18,000 commercial jet engines in airline service, and by 2015, it is expected to grow to 24,000 engines.

GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world's toughest challenges. GE employs over 1,400 people in Alabama. GE Aviation, a GE operating unit based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft.

GE Aviation employs approximately 37,000 employees and operates more than 50 manufacturing and service facilities around the world. The company invests $1 billion annually in jet propulsion R&D programs. This long tradition of commitment to new technology has helped GE establish its leadership position in the industry with a proud list of "firsts" in both the military and commercial jet propulsion, tracing back to 1942 with America's first jet engine.

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. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation. Learn more about GE Business & General Aviation at http://facebook.com/GEBGA . Follow GE Aviation on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GEAviation and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/GEAviation.

SOURCE GE Aviation