Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday announced via Twitter that GE Aviation will build two manufacturing facilities in Huntsville – a move that will bring approximately 300 new jobs to the region.
Bentley said the two factories will mass produce composite components for jet engines. GE Aviation’s investment on the 100-acre property totals more than $200 million.
Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday announced via Twitter that GE Aviation will build two manufacturing facilities in Huntsville – a move that will bring approximately 300 new jobs to the region.
Enlarge
Construction on the factories will begin around mid-2016, with a completion date slated for the first half of 2018.
Production is scheduled to begin in 2018 and the company has started hiring workers that will transfer to the Huntsville operation when it comes online. GE Aviation said it plans to begin hiring the hourly workforce in late 2016.
One plant will produce silicon carbide, or SiC, ceramic fiber, while the other will use that ceramic fiber to make CMC tape necessary to fabricate ceramic components for jet engines.
“Establishing the new GE factories in Alabama is a very significant step in developing the supply chain we need in order to produce CMC components in large volume,” said Sanjay Correa, vice president, CMC Program at GE Aviation.
GE Aviation since 2013 has invested more than $100 million into its 300,000-square-foot factory in Auburn, which manufactures jet engine components.
“Today’s announcement is important because it shows Alabama is expanding its partnership with a global aviation leader,” Bentley said on Twitter.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, GE Aviation is a provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft and ship propulsion applications.