DE: GE Aviation to Invest $27M to Expand, Add 70 Jobs at Newark Plant

GE Aviation is a company of many firsts – its employees built the first U.S. Jet Engine, the first U.S. Turboprop Engine and the first Mach 2 Engine.

The company also specializes in what’s next, and that ability to innovate will bring expansion and job growth to its Newark plant.

Gov. Jack Markell and Bernice Whaley, Deputy Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, joined GE Aviation officials and employees for the announcement of the plant’s expansion into a LEAN laboratory to support increased production of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), which are used to make advanced aircraft engine components.

GE Aviation plans to invest $27 million in the project and add 70 jobs at its 110,000-square-foot facility off Bellevue Road in the Diamond State Industrial Park in Newark. The company is committed to staffing 151 people at the Newark site by the end of 2016.

Based in Evendale, Ohio, GE Aviation is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components with more than 50 sites across 24 states.

"GE Aviation hits many of the targets that we are aiming for, including global reach, new economy jobs and the growth of companies that specialize in products and services at the forefront of innovation," Gov. Markell said. "This expansion at GE Aviation’s Newark plant, and its creation of well-paying jobs, will strengthen our state and local economy."

GE Aviation currently has 11 laboratories that are "LEAN," which allow for collaboration between engineering and manufacturing, setting up teams that work together to demonstrate a component’s manufacturing readiness before going to full-rate production. As such, production technologies for CMCs will be developed and proven out in Newark prior to transitioning to manufacturing facilities for mass production.

CMCs are game-changers for GE Aviation, allowing the company’s next-generation aircraft engines to run hotter and therefore achieve higher fuel efficiency, lower emissions and improved environmental performance. GE has committed to incorporating CMCs into the best-selling LEAP jet engine, which will enter airline service in 2016. The LEAP engine will power the new Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC (China) C919 aircraft, marking the first time ever that CMCs will be used in a commercial engine.

"This investment is a testament to GE’s commitment to this advanced technology," said Jeff Wessels, plant leader at Newark. "The Newark team will play a vital role in the next-generation of aircraft engines, and we’re proud to be a part of it."

The Delaware Economic Development Office invested in the project through the Delaware Strategic Fund, providing GE Aviation with a $304,833 performance-based grant based on the creation of 70 jobs and a $810,000 capital expenditure grant.

"I applaud Jeff Wessels, Jerry Kroger and the entire GE team for the hard work they’ve put into the expansion and renovation of this facility," Whaley said. "This project creates new employment opportunities for Delawareans and adds to the economic vitality of our state."

About the Delaware Economic Development Office
The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. DEDO is a Certified Economic Development Organization, accredited by the International Economic Development Council. Visit dedo.delaware.gov. 

About GE Aviation
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE, is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation. Follow GE Aviation on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GEAviation and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/GEAviation.