Gov. Kay Ivey announced on March 20 a new initiative to invest $50 million to improve and expand on GE Aviation’s manufacturing operation in Auburn. The site was the first to mass produce jet components using 3D-printing technologies.
GE Aviation will create 60 new jobs as part of the expansion, add new additive production machines and begin high volume manufacturing a second engine part because of the new equipment.
“GE Aviation is at the leading edge of advanced aerospace additive manufacturing, and the company’s expansion plans at the Auburn facility will strengthen its technology leadership position,” Ivey said. “We look forward to seeing where the great partnership between Alabama and GE Aviation will take us both in an exciting future.”
The partnership in Auburn began in 2015 when GE invested $100 million on the landmark site.
“We’re very excited for this new investment in our additive manufacturing operation here in Auburn,” said Ricardo Acevedo, GE Aviation’s Auburn plant leader. “Our success thus far is a testament to all the hard-working folks at this facility who are leading the way in advanced manufacturing. The future here is bright, and we’re glad to have such great support from the Auburn community and the state of Alabama.”
The facility currently employs 230 people, and the number was hoped to increase to 300 by 2019. With the new investment announcement, employment is projected to continue to grow.
“We’re grateful for GE’s continued investment in our community, and we are proud to be the home of GE Aviation’s leading additive manufacturing facility,” said Auburn Mayor Ron Anders. “For years, Auburn has sought after technology-based industries, and this expansion is evidence of the value in that. Thanks to the team at GE, Gov. Kay Ivey and her staff and all of those involved in bringing about this expansion. We look forward to GE’s further success, fueled in part by a workforce educated right here in Auburn.”
In 2018, GE opened another site in Huntsville that is used as a factory for rare materials used to manufacture ceramic matrix composites. That investment cost $200 million.
