Explaining that GE (IW 500/6) is committed to U.S. manufacturing its CEO, Jeff Immelt, pointed out that “as a company whose history dates back more than 130 years, we understand that to grow, we have to invest—in R&D and in workers.” He made this statement yesterday as the company announced it was invested $30 million and adding 150 jobs in three states to fulfill its agreement with Walmart to bring more American-made products to consumers.
“Today’s announcement is evidence of our continued commitment to creating advanced manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and yet another sign of an American manufacturing renewal,” Immelt said.
This agreement will put U.S.-made GE Energy-Efficient Soft White light bulbs on the shelves of 3,400 Walmart Stores by summer 2014.
Walmart’s has pledged to a $50 billion domestic manufacturing commitment to bring more American-made products to consumers.
Hiring for the new manufacturing positions will occur over the coming months at three GE plants in Bucyrus and Circleville, Ohio, and Mattoon, Illinois. These new positions add to the more than 700 employees currently at work across the three plants.
GE and Walmart have collaborated before. Working with GE, Walmart helped to pioneer the development, testing and use of LED systems in the retail setting. Walmart was a first-mover in the use of LED signage, and it helped GE to conceive and perfect the application of LEDs in refrigerated display cases. Walmart store parking lots in the U.S. and abroad were among the first in the industry to switch to LED.
“Today marks another significant milestone in Walmart’s valued relationship with GE and our effort to grow U.S. manufacturing,” said Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. President and CEO. “Earlier this year, we committed to buying an additional $50 billion in U.S.-made products over the next decade.”
