WELLAND, ON, Aug. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - GE (NYSE:GE) –Premier
Kathleen Wynne and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Federal
Minister of International Trade, joined GE global executives and
representatives from Welland and
the Niagara Region in a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the
start of construction for GE's multi-modal "Brilliant Factory" in
Canada. The facility is expected
to create 220 jobs with operations commencing in early
2018. The first phase of the investment is $165M US.
This first–of-its-kind facility in Canada will combine decades of experience
building innovative industrial machines with cutting-edge data
science and analytics expertise to enhance efficiency and
streamline production. The facility will initially
manufacture GE Power's reciprocating gas engines, components for
compression, mechanical drive, and power generation, and
manufacture components for GE transportation diesel engines. The
multi-modal design enables future production expansion for other GE
global businesses including Power, Oil & Gas, and
Transportation.
Welland's close proximity to
the US border, availability of skilled labour and education
facilities were important considerations in the location of the
factory. Architectural and design companies selected by GE for
the project include HH Angus, B+H Architects, CSO Architects,
Lea Consulting and Thorton Tomasetti. PCL Construction is the
general contractor.
Quotes:
Elyse Allan, President and
CEO, GE Canada
"Export Development Canada's (EDC) commitment to building global
business activities and the outstanding support offered by the
Ontario government, Niagara
Region, and City strongly influenced our decision to build the
factory in Welland. I look forward to continuing our
outstanding collaboration to create jobs and economic growth."
John Rice, Vice-Chairman and
President GGO, GE
"The City of Welland becomes an
important link in our global integrated network and the new future
that we have charted for GE with the convergence of industrial and
digital. Canada has all the
essential ingredients to succeed in this new digital industrial
reality. The flexibility of the Economic Development Corporation
(EDC) and other export credit agencies, combined with GE's global
manufacturing capabilities allows us to replace EXIM financing and
compete effectively for global tenders. Canada is a key partner to GE as we seek to
meet the needs of our customers in 180 countries around the
world."
Heiner Markhoff, President and
CEO GE Water and Distributed Power Business
"Today is a significant day for GE in Canada and for GE's Distributed Power
business. Today, we're breaking the ground on which we will grow
our reciprocating engines business for decades to come. At the
greenfield plant in Welland GE is planning to invest 165 million US dollars. Here, we will run
three-dimensional machining simulations for CNC programs, gain
real-time analytics to better understand the operating conditions
of a machine or a test cell, install lights-out machining, and
combine all with advanced lean manufacturing practices."
Premier Kathleen Wynne
"Ontario is a smart choice for
companies looking to grow their business and create good jobs. With
this investment in Welland, GE has
cast a vote of confidence in Ontario's culture of innovation, highly
skilled workers and dynamic business climate."
Honourable Chrystia Freeland Federal Minister of
International Trade
"When companies like GE establish or expand their businesses in
Canada, they are contributing to
our progressive trade strategy, and creating good, middle class
jobs. I'm delighted to be here to see shovels in the ground for
this important, job-creating investment – and to thank GE for its
continued investment in Canada."
Benoit Daignault, President
and CEO, Export Development Canada
"Today's ceremony underscores how EDC's support for GE around
the world can pay dividends at home, and directly benefit
Canada. Our ongoing and strong relationship with GE means
we're ideally positioned to introduce Canadian companies into their
global supply chain."
Frank Campion, Mayor of
Welland
"I am proud of our new and valued association with General
Electric and look forward to working with this global industrial
leader as they construct and operate their new 450,000 sq. ft.
brilliant factory in Welland. Our development team, with
strong support from City council, was able to work co-operatively
with other levels of government and the GE group to achieve a
mutually beneficial result which will have a substantial positive
impact on our community today and far into the future."
Alan Caslin, Chair Niagara
Region
"GE's significant investment in the Niagara region closely
aligns with Regional Council's actions to foster an environment for
economic prosperity. By waiving industrial development charges and
providing incentives through our Gateway Economic Zone, our Council
supports GE's continued success as they create new high-skilled
jobs for Niagara residents and growth opportunities for local
supply chain partners."
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company,
transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions
that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized
around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through
which each business shares and accesses the same technology,
markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels
innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With
people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes
for customers by speaking the language of industry.
www.ge.com
About GE's Distributed Power Business
GE's Distributed Power business is a leading provider of
engines, power equipment and services focused on power generation
and gas compression at or near the point of use. Distributed Power
offers a diverse product portfolio that includes highly efficient,
fuel- flexible, industrial gas engines generating 200 kW to 10 MW
each of power for numerous industries globally. In addition, the
business provides life cycle support for more than 36,000 gas
engines worldwide to help you meet your business challenges and
success metrics – anywhere and anytime. Backed by our authorized
service providers in more than 170 countries, GE's global service
network connects with you locally for rapid response to your
service needs. GE's Distributed Power business is head quartered in
Jenbach, Austria.
SOURCE General Electric Canada Inc.