GE Aviation Bringing More Jobs To Northern Illinois Area

 GE Aviation and local economic development groups will partner to create new jobs and an expanded supply base in the Rockford, Illinois area.

U.S. Rep Don Manzullo and GE Aviation leaders Mike Chanatry and Elliott Liddle joined economic development leaders to make the announcement today during a ceremony at the Rockford facility.

The Rockford facility was part of GE’s 2007 acquisition of Smiths Aerospace. Since that time, the team has utilized the GE engineering resources to expand its product offerings and markets. In addition, machining work is transitioning in from various parts of the GE supply base due to growth of the GEnx and the F136 programs.

Plans are to expand machining at Rockford over the next year, which means plans for approximately up to 20 new jobs at the GE Aviation facility.

Working closely with the Rockford Area Economic Development Council and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, GE Aviation will host a supplier symposium on Thursday, Nov. 4 at the Rockford Airport. The symposium is structured around coaching and mentoring local small businesses in doing business with GE.

“I want to commend GE Aviation for growing jobs in the United States and centering them here in Loves Park. This is exactly what we envisioned several years ago when we passed our bill to give manufacturers a 9 percent tax rate reduction on the products they make in the United States,” said Rep. Manzullo. “The supplier symposium will help create badly needed jobs for our area and expand our aerospace network even more as we continue to compete for an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus in Rockford.”

“GE Aviation is thrilled with the workforce in Rockford, which has demonstrated its ability to meet commitments and engage in the GE culture of compliance, quality and integrity that is so vital in the aviation industry,” said Mike Chanatry. “We also value the relationship GE Aviation has with government in Rockford. Rep. Manzullo has continued to create a business environment here that can help U.S. manufacturers like GE become more competitive in places like Loves Park.”

GE Aviation employs approximately 38,000 employees and operates more than 50 manufacturing and service facilities around the world. The company invests $1 billion annually in jet propulsion R&D programs. This long tradition of commitment to new technology has helped GE establish its leadership position in the industry with a proud list of "firsts" in both the military and commercial jet propulsion, tracing back to 1942 with America's first jet engine.

GE Aviation, a GE operating unit based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft.

Created by Thomas Edison, GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide.