Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced GE Appliances will award $40 million to four plastics suppliers in Kentucky in an effort to boost laundry manufacturing: EPC, a plastic fabrication company in Lebanon; Jones Plastic, a custom injection molder in Williamsburg that is headquartered in Louisville; Plastic Products Co. Inc., a plastic injection molder based in both Lebanon and Greenville; and another facility in Frankfort.
These new contracts are the first of many economic ripple effects from GE Appliances’ $3 billion commitment to strengthen its U.S. manufacturing footprint and expand its supply chain.
“GE Appliances believes in Kentucky and our workforce, and the more than $40 million awarded to suppliers in the commonwealth – more than any other state – will have a ripple effect that everyone benefits from,” said Gov. Beshear. “Kentucky is proud to be this iconic company’s home, and I am grateful to Kevin Nolan and all of GE Appliances for their continued investment in America. Together, we will ensure U.S. manufacturing remains strong with Kentucky and GE Appliances leading the way.”
In June, GE Appliances joined Gov. Beshear to announce its $490 million investment in growing manufacturing in Kentucky, creating 800 new jobs. The project includes a new combination washer/dryer plant at the company’s global headquarters in Louisville.
“When we invest in U.S. manufacturing and our people, it drives growth far beyond our own walls,” said Lee Lagomarcino, vice president of clothes care for GE Appliances. “These new supplier contracts represent what ‘Built for America’ is all about – investing in U.S. manufacturing, creating more American jobs, and building opportunity that multiplies. Our investment in U.S. manufacturing wouldn’t be possible without the strong partnerships we have with Gov. Beshear, the Kentucky Economic Development team, state lawmakers, and our local government partners who ensure Kentucky has a great climate for businesses to thrive. This spirit of teamwork and problem solving is what will drive U.S. manufacturing to the next level.”
In August, GE Appliances announced a bold plan to invest more than $3 billion over the next five years in its U.S. operations, workforce and communities. Upon completion of this plan, GE Appliances will have invested $6.5 billion across its U.S. manufacturing plants and nationwide distribution network since 2016. Additionally, GE Appliances spends $318 million annually with more than 480 Kentucky suppliers.
Louisville’s Appliance Park is GE Appliances’ largest manufacturing operation, with more than 6 million square feet for the production of washers, dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators.
GE Appliances began production at Appliance Park in 1953. The campus sits on 750 acres in southern Jefferson County, serves as the company’s global headquarters and includes marketing, sales and support functions. Appliance Park also houses the company’s technology and engineering center, industrial design, distribution center and warehouse operations. GE Appliances employs more than 8,000 people full-time at Appliance Park and a nearby call center.