GE to Invest Nearly $11 Million in Mid-Missouri Facilities, 115 Local Manufacturing Jobs Created in 2012

• GE Converts Warehouse into New Gas Turbine Inlet Filtration Production Center in Slater, Mo.
• Expansion Supports Increased Natural Gas Power Generation in North America

KANSAS CITY, MO. — Keeping pace with the growing demand for natural gas power generation equipment, GE added more than 115 new jobs this year at its production facilities in Slater, Mo., a town of 2,000 people where the business has manufactured filtration technologies since 1975. In addition to these new jobs, over the next five years, GE plans to invest nearly $11 million to improve its facilities in this area.

“The Air Filtration business in Slater is growing. Expanding our workforce and facilities are vital to driving our filtration business to support natural gas power generation in North America,” said Keith White, general manager of GE Power & Water’s Air Filtration business.

GE’s line of industrial air filtration products helps customers achieve air quality and plant performance goals while reducing emissions. In Slater, GE manufactures air filtration media and membranes for industrial products and gas turbine inlet systems. Products include pleated filters that collect dust at industrial sites and gas turbine cartridges that keep particulate from entering and damaging the turbine.

The filtration manufacturing expansion supports GE’s growing focus on the use of natural gas, the cleanest fossil fuel, for power generation. GE recently introduced its newest natural gas technology, the FlexEfficiency* 60 Portfolio, which incorporates advanced combustion technology to deliver operating flexibility while sustaining higher levels of efficiency compared to earlier technology. With its capability to rapidly ramp its power output up and down, this technology can serve as a gateway for greater use of renewable energy on the grid.

"GE is a great employer and a great asset for Slater. In turn, we have good workers in the area—husbands, wives and multiple family members have made a career working at the facility, which sits in the heart of our town. I am thrilled that GE continues to invest in this business and in Slater,” said Dr. Stephen Allegri, mayor of Slater, Mo.

“We’ve always been proud to be a part of the Slater community,” Plant Manager Grant Carothers said. “With the addition of these 115 jobs, we now employ more than 300 people in Slater. We estimate one out of five households in the area include at least one GE employee.”

The manufacturing jobs created include production line positions such as sewing operators, automated machine operators and a production supervisor. Each position comes with full GE benefits.

“The newly created jobs are full-time positions available on both day and night shifts, plus all include an exceptional, comprehensive benefit package. GE offers a clean, climate-controlled and progressive environment,” said Janice Harris, human resources manager with GE Power & Water’s Air Filtration.

In 2012, GE invested more than $3 million in production equipment and renovations at its 226,594-square-foot Slater properties, including the conversion of a 50,000-square-foot warehouse into new production space for gas turbine inlet filtration products. The upgrades include HVAC, phone and computer networks, and power line drops.

These investments build upon GE’s ongoing local contributions in Slater that support events and organizations such as United Way; Slater Schools Booster Club; Slater High School Health & Sports Program; Salisbury 4-H Youth Fair; Slater Fall Festival; and Steve McQueen Days. GE contributes up to $10,000 in donations and sponsorships in Slater each year. Collectively, GE employees in Slater serve an average of more than 250 volunteer hours each year.

GE Power & Water’s Air Filtration business, historically BHA Group, employs 750 employees worldwide, including employees at three manufacturing centers in Missouri—one in Lee’s Summit and two in Slater. The business has been headquartered in the greater Kansas City area for more than 40 years.

Those interested in applying for a position with GE’s Air Filtration can find all opportunities online at http://www.ge.com/careers and search by “Slater, Missouri.”

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ge.com.

About GE Power & Water

GE Power & Water provides customers with a broad array of power generation, energy delivery and water process technologies to solve their challenges locally. Power & Water works in all areas of the energy industry including renewable resources such as wind and solar; biogas and alternative fuels; and coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy. The business also develops advanced technologies to help solve the world’s most complex challenges related to water availability and quality. Numerous products are qualified under ecomagination, GE’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that maximize resources, drive efficiencies and help make the world work better. Power & Water’s seven business units include Aeroderivative Gas Turbines; Gas Engines; Nuclear Energy; Power Generation Services; Renewable Energy; Thermal Products and Water & Process Technologies. Headquartered in Schenectady, N.Y., Power & Water is GE’s largest industrial business.

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