<p>Despite global slowdown, US manufacturing giant General Electric (GE) announced that its new manufacturing facility in Pune would develop localized products and solutions for the energy sector in its first phase of operation commencing in 2013.
The Government of Maharashtra and GE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The new manufacturing facility would spread over a total area of 68 acres. GE will invest a cumulative amount of Rs 1100 crore in building this large scale facility - GE’s first such manufacturing site in India. It will hire over 2000 employees for this facility.
The facility, to begin with, will focus on energy products and technologies driven by the industry needs for power generation, transmission & distribution as well as measurement and control.
In addition, GE will package its environment friendly technologies such as hybrid batteries for energy storage and bio gas power generation technologies at the plant. The site will enable assembly and production support for any GE business that needs local manufacturing capability in India.
Commenting on this Prithviraj Chavan, chief minister of Maharashtra said “GE has had a long-standing presence in India and this is yet another step in the right direction to strengthen this partnership. There is no doubt that the key to success is to develop products and solutions that are localized to suit a specific region and GE has played an instrumental role in achieving that for India. We are confident that such initiatives will strengthen the manufacturing sector in India and enhance growth.”
He added, “I insist GE to open an R & D centre in Pune like Bangalore as we have enough pool of talented engineers which will deliver their best in research and development. Maharashtra Government has its own policy for manufacturing in place. We are also considering cities like Thane, Nagpur and Aurangabad to develop large industrial townships. Now it’s time to think beyond Mumbai and Pune for development or industrialization.”
John Rice, Vice Chairman, GE said “GE is committed to consistently provide best in class products and localized solutions to the people of India and this manufacturing facility will play a pivotal role in helping us realize that vision.”
Speaking on the occasion, John Flannery, President & CEO, GE India said, “Our new manufacturing facility aligns well with the Government’s objective of strengthening manufacturing and overall infrastructure of the country. We are looking forward to recover the cost in the next three years and expecting revenues of Rs 3300 crore out of this facility.”
GE already has a wind turbine assembly unit in Pune. The recently acquired dresser business by GE builds and tests industrial process valves for both the Indian market and exports.
