Facility Expected To Employ 300 to 400 Within Decade

GE Aviation Monday hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of its new jet engine components factory in Auburn, Alabama. Governor Robert Bentley, US Representative Mike Rogers, Auburn Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. and Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard were among those who joined company 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 fleet of GE jet engines already in service.

Following the start of construction, the facility is on schedule to open in late 2012. GE says 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 in full operation later this decade.

GE Aviation says it 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 campuses.

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.

FMI: www.ge.com/aviation