GE Invests $5M to Strengthen Testing Capabilities

GE’s Industrial Solutions business (NYSE: GE) is investing $5 million to strengthen its Mebane, N.C., operations, adding production and testing capabilities that enhance the customer experience. The investment builds on the company’s local footprint that was expanded in October 2013 with the grand opening of GE’s Power Equipment and Power Components global headquarters in Cary, N.C.

The investment will enable Mebane operations to transition to a dedicated, regional customer experience center where co-located teams will work collaboratively to streamline manufacturing processes and bring new electrical distribution technologies to market. Production of GE’s automatic transfer switches for the data center market is also included in the transition, creating approximately 60 jobs and related growth to the local economy.

“Industrial Solutions is investing heavily in its global business by tapping into North Carolina’s vast talent pool to accelerate its ability to deliver high-quality solutions to customers,” said Stuart Thompson, general manager of Power Equipment, GE’s Industrial Solutions business. “We have continued to add jobs and have increased our Cary team by more than 20 percent as part of our ongoing commitment to the area, revitalizing our product portfolio and bringing customers the best products faster than ever.”

GE’s Mebane plant manufactures lighting panels, power panels, low- and medium-voltage motor control equipment, switchgear and electrical vehicle charging stations. These solutions meet vital electrical needs of customers in commercial construction, mission-critical data centers and heavy industrial markets such as water wastewater treatment facilities.

Mebane will break ground on a number of expansions this year and next, including:

Low- and Medium-Voltage Product Certification Lab for sharing prototype and design concepts with customers. The lab will be compliant with product testing standards to gain third-party approvals.
Product Accelerator Lab for rapid prototyping and technology development.
Enhanced showroom to allow customers to touch, see and feel products.
Customer and Employee Training Center for continuous learning opportunities, including new product introductions and processes.

“Our growing workforce and expanded manufacturing capabilities are true testaments to the Mebane employees’ hard work and dedication,” said Jeff Blakeman, plant manager, GE’s Mebane operations. “This investment will enable our plant to take customer service one step further by optimizing production with advanced manufacturing capabilities and utilizing lean methodologies to enhance quality and improve lead times.”

GE’s global investments focus on redefining the Industrial Solutions product portfolio and accelerating its ability to deliver high-quality solutions faster than ever before through rapid prototyping with 3-D printing and early customer feedback and validation.