IL: GE Transportation Chooses Chicago for Global Headquarters

GE Transportation announced that it has chosen Chicago as its global headquarters. The move will be effective in the coming months once the location for office space has been finalized. Erie, Pennsylvania will remain the headquarters for GE Transportation's locomotive business and key manufacturing site.

Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation said: "We have transformed GE Transportation from a North American rail company to a truly global transportation business. Chicago allows us to more efficiently reach and serve customers around the world in the rail, mining and marine industries."

GE Transportation will relocate about 50 people from Erie to Chicago by 2014. These employees are primarily associated with the company's global support functions and its services operations. The company anticipates having a headquarters staff of approximately 150 in Chicago by 2014 as the business continues to grow. GE Transportation is currently evaluating several suitable office locations.

Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of the City of Chicago said: "GE Transportation is a top-level, worldwide company that will be using its Chicago headquarters as a central location from which to do business around the globe. We are looking forward to welcoming GE Transportation to our business community and helping the company to grow."

Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois said: "Illinois is one of the most important rail and transportation hubs in the nation. By choosing Chicago for its global headquarters, GE Transportation will be positioned to compete fiercely in the U.S. and all over the world to grow in the rail, mining and marine industries. We are pleased to welcome members of GE Transportation's leadership team to Illinois and Chicago."

Added Simonelli: "Erie will operate as the global headquarters of our core locomotive business and build on its reputation as a center of excellence for locomotive manufacturing. We filled 1,300 positions in Erie in 2011 alone and announced investments of nearly $140 million in the modernization of the Erie plant. We are committed to Erie as one of our key manufacturing sites. We deeply appreciate the continued support from all of our employees, our suppliers and our friends in Erie who are key to the continued success of this business. We all recognize how important GE is to Erie and how essential Erie has been and will be to GE's global growth."

About GE Transportation
GE Transportation, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE), solves the world’s toughest transportation challenges.GE Transportation builds equipment that moves the rail, mining and marine industries. Our fuel-efficient and lower-emissions freight and passenger locomotives, diesel engines for rail, marine and stationary power applications, signaling and software solutions, drive systems for mining trucks, and value-added services help customers grow. GE Transportation employs approximately 12,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit the company's website at www.getransportation.com.