GE Aviation Expands Alabama Footprint, Hosts Supplier Symposium

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, More Than 100 Alabama Businesses Attend

TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Sept. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 100 businesses across Alabama are participating in GE's Small Business Supplier Symposium today in Tuscaloosa. GE Aviation is hosting the symposium on the heels of announcing plans for a new engine coatings facility in Auburn. The company hopes the symposium will build relationships with Alabama's aerospace suppliers, creating additional business opportunities within the state.  

Alabama's senior U.S. Senator Richard Shelby joined Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, University of Alabama Vice President and Vice Provost Joe Benson, and executives from the Tuscaloosa Country Industrial Development Authority (TCIDA) in Tuscaloosa to support the GE Aviation event.

The symposium provides a chance for local small businesses interested in working with GE Aviation to receive coaching and mentoring through panel discussions and one-on-one sessions.  Following the event, GE will move forward to the next phase of relationship development with companies that best match its needs and quality requirements.

Sen. Shelby delivered the keynote remarks today at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa, where he expressed his support for GE Aviation's plans for the Yellowhammer State.

"As a leading producer of both commercial and military aviation products, I am pleased that GE's Alabama footprint will be expanding to include additional relationships with Alabama businesses as well as a new facility in Auburn.  GE already employs a significant number of Alabamians, and these new initiatives will create even more jobs and opportunities for our state," said Sen. Shelby.

GE Aviation General Manager of Structures and Machining Mike Sims briefed participating businesses at the symposium on the important relationships GE has with its suppliers and the ways such relationships can benefit Alabama businesses.

"We're committed to enhancing GE Aviation's presence in Alabama – and between the new Auburn facility and the supplier relationships that are sure to come out of this symposium, we're well on our way," said Sims. "We look forward to decades of work with the hardworking people of Alabama."

The Tuscaloosa Country Industrial Development Authority (TCIDA) cohosted the event with GE Aviation. TCIDA has worked hard to help plan this event and deliver this opportunity to Alabama's business community.

GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world's toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide, including more than 1,400 people in Alabama. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

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.

SOURCE GE Aviation