General Electric, the storied mega-corporation that’s been a part of the American landscape since the late 19th century, has announced plans to break the company up into three parts: Aviation, health care and energy with a focus on aviation.
According to Adam Tucker, director of communications with GE Gas & Power, none of the Greenville plants’ 3,200 jobs will be affected at this time. He also noted that the change will take place slowly.
GE’s South Carolina plants:
- Greenville
- GE Gas Turbine
- GE Advanced Manufacturing Works
- GE Power Station
The plans for the company involve a three-step split, with the health care division the first to go in early 2023. It would be followed by the renewable energy and power company in 2024.
GE’s Greenville plants, which have been around since 1968, have as much space as 21 football fields. Over its history, GE has built gas turbine assemblies (7E, 7FA, 6F, 7HA, 9FA and LMS engines and capital spare parts (buckets, nozzles, rotors and combustion) in the Upstate. It has invested more than $500 million in the facility over the past 10 years, and it boasts a 70,000-square-foot research center, according to GE’s website.
The company had grown significantly during the 1980s, getting involved in everything from appliances to finance, only to sell off many of those divisions later. Now, GE wants to emerge from the split leaner and be more able to pursue long-term growth and create value for customers, investors, and employees, according to a news release.
“Today is a defining moment for GE, and we are ready,” said GE Chairman and CEO Larry Culp.
