GE Aviation, a major producer of aircraft systems and jet engines, has started the construction of its new 300,000-sq.ft factory for jet engine components in Auburn, Alabama.
The sophisticated factory will manufacture super-alloy precision machined components for GE jet engines. The opening of the production plant is scheduled in late 2012. GE Aviation chose Auburn site, as it is near to the university of Alabama and there is an availability of trained workers.
The new factory is anticipated to develop partnerships with the Tuskegee University and the Auburn University. GE Aviation will start hiring at both universities this week. This facility emphasizes the expansion of GE Aviation, since the supply of commercial engines for GE and its associated firms will increase in 2012.
The supply of commercial engines manufactured by GE Aviation, the Engine Alliance, a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and GE, and CFM International, a joint venture between Snecma and GE, will increase over 10% in 2011 compared to the 2010 supply of 2,000 engines. Along with the delivery of GE's military engines, GE Aviation and its partner firms are anticipated to supply roughly 3,200 engines in 2011.
GE Aviation recently conducted a supplier symposium to expand its aerospace supplier network across Alabama. The sophisticated components produced in Auburn not only support GE’s expected growth of new engines but also its extensive base of engines being used in operational service. The airline service currently uses over 18,000 commercial jet engines produced by GE Aviation and its joint venture companies and the count is anticipated to reach 24,000 engines by 2015.
Source: http://www.geaviation.com