GE Aerospace has unveiled plans for a massive investment of $650 million into its manufacturing facilities and supply chain this year, which includes a $16.8 million investment at its Huntsville site. The initiative aims to ramp up production capabilities and enhance quality standards, thereby fortifying its support for both commercial and defense customers.

In Huntsville, the investment will go towards machines for production of narrowbody and widebody aircraft engines, quality testing equipment and upgrades for the facility.

H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace, emphasized the significance of these investments as GE Aerospace prepares to transition into a standalone entity.

“As GE Aerospace prepares to become a standalone company this spring, we are making significant investments in the future of flight and in the dozens of communities and supplier partners helping us build it,” said Culp. “These investments are part of the next chapter for GE Aerospace, supporting cutting-edge equipment and safety enhancements that will help us meet our customers’ growing needs.”

The investment blueprint for 2024 allocates nearly $450 million towards enhancing infrastructure, acquiring new machinery, upgrading inspection equipment, and implementing safety enhancements across 22 GE Aerospace facilities spread across 14 states. Additionally, $100 million will be directed towards bolstering U.S.-based supplier partners.

Some other key highlights of the investment plan include:

$54 million slated for the Auburn, Ala., site to bolster additive manufacturing capabilities, aiding in the production of military rotorcraft engine components and commercial aircraft engines.
$30 million earmarked for the Lynn, Mass., site to enhance engine assembly and testing facilities supporting military helicopter and fighter jet engine production.
$46 million allocated to four North Carolina facilities to meet escalating demand for commercial engines, focusing on critical components, assembly capacity, quality inspection, and machinery.
$107 million designated for facilities in the greater Cincinnati region, aimed at expanding production capacity for engines used in commercial aircraft and military applications.

Furthermore, $100 million will be dedicated to enhancing the U.S. supply chain, ensuring the sustained growth of suppliers critical for providing materials and components for GE Aerospace’s engines.

In addition to the domestic investments, approximately $100 million will be injected into international sites in North America, Europe, and India to support global operations.

“This is an investment in the future of manufacturing, ensuring we can continue producing high-quality, cutting-edge engines and services while meeting customer demand,” said Mike Kauffman, GE Aerospace Supply Chain Vice President.

Kauffman emphasized the role of collaborative efforts within the organization, including the FLIGHT DECK lean operating model, in driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and costs.

Alongside the investment announcement, GE Aerospace is actively recruiting over 1,000 employees for various positions across its U.S. factories.

For more information, please visit GE’s interactive map here.