GE Appliances moving more output from China and some from Mexico to U.S. as part of $3 billion investment

GE Appliances is making a significant investment in its U.S. operations, with plans to shift production of refrigerators, gas ranges, and water heaters out of China and Mexico. This move is part of a more than $3 billion investment to expand its manufacturing facilities in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

The investment, which is the second-largest in the company’s history, is expected to create over 1,000 jobs and modernize existing plants over the next five years. GE Appliances CEO Kevin Nolan emphasized the importance of manufacturing close to customers, citing lean manufacturing, upskilling the workforce, and automation as key factors in the decision to focus on U.S. production.

The majority of GE’s appliance production is already based in the U.S., and this shift will involve transferring even more work to domestic plants. Production of gas ranges will move from Mexico to Georgia, while six refrigerator models currently made in China will be manufactured in Alabama. This strategic reshoring effort aligns with President Trump’s initiatives to bring factories back to the U.S. by imposing tariffs on foreign goods.

The first phase of the investment will begin at plants in five Southern states, including Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. GE Appliances is committed to investing in its plants, workforce, and communities, with a focus on U.S. manufacturing. The company’s $3 billion, five-year plan underscores its dedication to domestic production and job creation.

Additional changes include ramping up production of gas ranges in Georgia, relocating refrigerator production to Alabama, and expanding production of electric and hybrid heat pump water heaters in South Carolina. The Tennessee plant will also produce new models of air conditioners as part of the investment.

GE Appliances has already announced a $490 million investment in its Kentucky complex to produce combo washer/dryers and front load washers currently made in China. Once fully implemented, the company will have invested $6.5 billion across its U.S. manufacturing plants since 2016.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear praised the investment as a testament to the state’s support for manufacturing and job creation. GE Appliances’ commitment to the U.S. market is evident in its partnerships with educational institutions to ensure a skilled workforce for its operations.

While GE Appliances is a subsidiary of the China-based Haier company, its core business strategy is centered around U.S. production. The company emphasizes the importance of people in driving America’s manufacturing renaissance, highlighting the collaboration with universities, technical schools, and high schools to develop a trained workforce.

Overall, GE Appliances contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, supporting over 113,000 jobs through its operations, suppliers, and distribution network. The company’s investment in domestic production reinforces its commitment to American manufacturing and job growth.