GE’s Energy Management (IW 500/7) announced on July 24 that it will create a new 190,000 square feet manufacturing Center of Excellence (COE) in Clearwater, Fla.
The COE will include the existing instrument transformer facility as well as new manufacturing operations for capacitors.
The expansion encompasses a capital investment of $50 million that will create 250 new jobs.
“We are well positioned to more quickly deliver improved outcomes for our customers and solve some of the world’s toughest energy problems,” said GE Energy Management CEO Mark Begor. “From this facility, we’ll serve customers as close as Duke Energy right here in Florida, and as far away as Southeast Asia and South America.”
The company currently manufactures instrument transformers for use by utilities and industrial customers to protect their equipment and ensure the safe and reliable operation of electrical systems.
This project was made possible with the help of close partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the City of Clearwater, Pinellas County, Duke Energy, Pinellas County Economic Development and the Department of Economic Opportunity.
Florida is home to industry leading producers of power generation systems, a variety of solar technology companies, biofuel producers, and battery and fuel cell manufacturers.
“The expansion of GE Energy Management in Clearwater is a great boost for Florida’s cleantech and manufacturing industries,” said CEO of Enterprise Florida Gray Swoope. “Florida’s position in both industries is rising as more and more companies in those sectors look to locate and expand here.”
GE’s new manufacturing COE is expected to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2015.
