GE GeoSpringTM Hybrid Water Heater Manufacturing Facility announces closure
LOUISVILLE, Ky., -Nov. 4, 2019 - (NYSE:GE) - Today, GE Appliances announced the closure of its GeoSpring™ Hybrid Water Heater manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky. The first facility to open since 1957 is downsizing to consolidate manufacturing resources in the United States by reducing the number of manufacturing plants in the U.S.
Louisville was well situated to serve GE, and in particular, the Kentucky markets, which had major levels of manufacturing at the time. The closure will enable us to reduce costs and still provide the same high level of sales and services to our customers. Closure expected to be completed by December 2019.
GE made a thorough analysis and concluded that of the several manufacturing facilities, closure of the Louisville operations would have the least effect on the company’s ability to serve our customers nationally.“Market conditions caused us to assess our situation in the U.S., downsizing will affect approximately 200 employees. Because we understand how significant this is, some employees will have the opportunity to relocate to other GE manufacturing facilities,” [Pending review] Kevin Nolan, GE Appliances president and CEO said.
The GeoSpring™ Hybrid Water Heater was developed by the Louisville team that increased the competitiveness of the operation. It was a product designed and built using lean manufacturing principles. The state and local government supported the GeoSpring™ Hybrid Water Heater with $17 million in incentives for its design. Louisville was well situated to serve GE, and in particular, the Kentucky markets, which had major levels of manufacturing at the time.
“Louisville has always had highly skilled, productive employees; closure is regretful; we will work hard to help them find other employment,” [Pending review] Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin said.
By 2014, the GE GeoSpringTM Hybrid Water Heater Manufacturing Facility created more than 1,300 new jobs in the U.S. It has also created hundreds of highly skilled salaried jobs in fields. It is expected to affect approximately 200 employees due to the closure of the facility. Some of those employees will have the opportunity to be relocated to another GE facility.
GE Appliances is fully committed to minimizing the impact for the contribution we made. GE
GeoSpring™ Hybrid Water Heater, will continue to be economical to operate and be a greater energy-saving product that remains affordable for consumers.
About GE Appliances
GE Appliances is at the forefront of building innovative, energy-efficient appliances that improve people’s lives. GE Appliances’ products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information on GE Appliances, visit www.ge.com/appliances.
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