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[July 2009]
GE to Open Advanced Manufacturing Technology & Software Centre in Michigan
The General Electric Company (Fairfield, CT, USA) has announced that it will open an advanced manufacturing technology and software centre in Michigan. The centre is expected to grow to more than 1,100 GE employees over the next few years.
The Advanced Manufacturing & Software Technology Center will include a GE research and development facility that will be part of GE's Global Research network. It will house scientists and engineers who will develop next generation manufacturing technologies for GE's leading renewable energy, aircraft engine, gas turbine and other high technology products. Such work will include development of composites, machining, inspection, casting and coating technologies for GE’s Aviation and Energy businesses.
The site will also house GE experts in software development, data architecture, networking, business intelligence and programme management. They will develop software to support GE’s business operations for several advanced technologies, like the smart grid. The site will also serve as a training hub for GE information technology professionals.
The centre, which is expected to open later this year, will be located at the Visteon Village site in Van Buren Township, Wayne County, about 25 miles from Detroit. The research and development facility will be housed in a new $100 million, 100,000 sq ft building that GE will construct on the site. The software and IT employees will be located in existing office space.
“To lead in manufacturing and create high-value jobs in the US, we must invest in technology and in people,” GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt said. “The scientists, engineers and technologists that will work and learn at this center will help GE develop innovative new software, processes and technologies to make our manufacturing businesses even more productive and competitive.
“Michigan is a great location for a technology center because of its world-class engineering, technical talent and public officials who understand that investing now will create tomorrow’s leading positions in information technology, clean energy and transportation.”
The state of Michigan is providing more than $60 million in incentives over the next 12 years to support the centre.
This new facility adds to GE's leading research and development capabilities, which are focused on finding solutions to some of the world's toughest problems. The research employees at the Michigan facility will join 2,800 researchers and employees at GE’s four global research facilities. GE's R&D employees represent nearly every scientific discipline and more than 1,100 of them hold doctorate degrees.
GE expects to partner with local universities on training programmes for its employees at the centre.
www.ge.com/research
ENDS