GE Appliances will invest more than $3 billion over the next five years to expand its U.S. manufacturing operations. The United States manufacturing investment plan ranks as the company’s second-largest in history and supports a broad range of upgrades. It will expand air conditioning and water heating production, modernize 11 plants, and increase capacity across all product lines.
The first phase targets facilities in Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. GE Appliances CEO Kevin Nolan explained that building a responsive and efficient supply chain requires moving more manufacturing to the United States. He emphasized that local production encourages suppliers to relocate closer, creating a “virtuous cycle” that benefits the economy.
The United States’ manufacturing investment includes moving production from overseas back to American soil. In Kentucky, GE will shift clothes washer production from China to its manufacturing complex. The Camden, South Carolina, plant will add electric and hybrid water heaters, doubling both output and jobs. Tennessee will see new air conditioner models added to the air and water portfolio.
Georgia’s plant will expand production for gas and induction ranges, wall ovens, and cooktops while bringing gas range production back from Mexico. Alabama’s Decatur plant will begin making top-freezer refrigerator models in-house. Kentucky will receive $490 million to launch combo washer/dryer and front-load washer production, adding 800 new jobs.
Since 2016, GE Appliances has invested $6.5 billion in its U.S. manufacturing and distribution network. This has created over 4,000 jobs, with 1,000 more expected from the latest investment. The company says it contributes more than $30 billion annually to U.S. GDP and supports over 113,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
Nolan noted that the real challenge is manufacturing effectively and efficiently. He said many executives discuss manufacturing but lack hands-on experience. To ensure success, the U.S. must strengthen its workforce pipeline through schools, trade programs, and training. Increasing the number of engineers is critical, as no country can sustain manufacturing growth without them.
GE works with students from high school onward to promote trade careers. It also runs apprenticeship programs and partners with organizations like the Manufacturing Institute FAME chapters to attract skilled maintenance workers. Nolan stressed that countries with strong manufacturing often graduate far more engineers, particularly in manufacturing disciplines, than the U.S. Matching that output is essential to sustaining the manufacturing comeback.
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