PM Narendra Modi inaugurates GE's 'Brilliant Factory' in Pune

In a significant endorsement of India as a major global manufacturing destination, GE officially unveiled its new ‘Brilliant Factory’ at Chakan II in Pune, Maharashtra. The facility was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of the Governor of Maharashtra, Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis. GE leadership was represented by John G. Rice, Vice Chairman, GE and Banmali Agrawala, President & CEO, GE South Asia who also announced plans for a phase II expansion.
 
The ‘Brilliant Factory’ is one of GE's most advanced facilities bringing together automation, the industrial internet and 3D printing. It is built on the concept of flexibility, allowing for the manufacturing of a diverse set of products and catering to GE’s broad range of businesses, including aviation, oil & gas and rail. It will also serve both domestic and export markets, working on the principle of a ‘Shared Centre of Excellence’ on process, capability and human capital aimed at driving economies of scale.
 
Stating that this was a big boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Narendra Modi welcomed GE’s announcement for further investment. He invited GE to invest in shipbuilding and defence manufacturing, where FDI has been raised to 49 percent.
 
Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, “The setting up of such an advanced manufacturing facility is possible because of the highly skilled workforce available in the Pune Region. This GE facility will fuel opportunities in the area of employment, technology and innovation. The ‘Brilliant Factory’ sets a new benchmark in global manufacturing competitiveness in India and I am proud that it is in Maharashtra."
 
John G Rice, Vice Chairman, GE, said, “Our operations here in Pune help us to compete locally and globally and play an important role in the resurgence of India’s manufacturing sector and in the country’s growth and development.”
 
In the first phase of operations, the facility is focused on products and solutions for the power generation, oil & gas and transportation industries. Plans for phase II of the site will include manufacturing capability for new generation aviation engine components and machining and sub-assembly for the latest rail locomotives and diesel engines.
 
Spread over 68 acres in MIDC Industrial Park at Chakan II, the facility will generate over 1500 jobs and support the growth of local businesses, many of whom will be SME suppliers. One of GE’s first multi-modal integrated manufacturing sites, the facility has a potential to scale to 1 million square feet, and will export 50% of what it produces to other GE global sites.
 
The facility is aviation quality standard AS9100 certified, is undergoing ‘green building certification’ by the Indian green building council (IGBC) and will be powered using captive solar power.