SALEM, Va. — GE’s Industrial Solutions business (NYSE: GE) celebrated the 60th anniversary of its Salem manufacturing plant on May 16th, 2015. Hundreds of employees, retirees and their families joined together with government officials and community leaders for the milestone ceremony. The celebration included plant tours, fun family activities and a celebratory luncheon for all to enjoy.
“Celebrating 60 years of GE operating in Salem is a significant milestone,” said Bob Gilligan, CEO of GE’s Industrial Solutions business. “Our longevity is a credit to our employees, whose dedication and commitment to excellence are key to our competitiveness. GE is making substantial investments in our Industrial Solutions business to make it a more competitive industry leader that best serves our customers. In Salem alone, we have invested $40 million in the past five years. We’ve improved the facility’s manufacturing capabilities and upgraded our equipment and product portfolio. We have even enhanced the building and grounds, bringing in more natural lighting and really making it a great place to work.”
Craig Strong, plant manager of GE’s Salem facility, added, “There’s never been a more exciting time to work in manufacturing. We have a very skilled workforce in Salem, manufacturing highly engineered control products that can be found in equipment on every continent. Many other facilities from the same era are no longer in operation, have been torn down or have been sold. Our Salem plant is unique; we have continued to evolve, embracing changes in technology to stay competitive, improve our processes and remain customer centric. This ability to adapt has helped us keep GE in Salem.”
U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith participated in the event and extended his congratulations to GE. “For 60 years, GE’s Salem manufacturing plant has been an important part of the community and a good corporate citizen,” said Congressman Griffith. “Congratulations on the first 60 years. We look forward to continuing our partnership for decades to come.”
Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones recognized the significance of the company’s anniversary in Salem and said, “I congratulate GE and Salem for 60 years of operation. During those 60 years, the company has provided valuable products to customers all over the world and jobs that have enabled employees to live and raise families in the region. We look forward to another 60 years of progress in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Since 1955, GE employees have been designing, building and supporting power conversion controls, equipment and software in Salem. Today, the facility is home to more than 700 manufacturing employees, engineers and support staff, including experts from GE’s Oil & Gas and Power & Water businesses.
“For the past 60 years, GE has been an integral part of Salem and the Roanoke Valley, providing families with good paying jobs for a broad range of skill sets and experience levels,” said Virginia Delegate Greg Habeeb. “Salem is a great community for GE because of our strong families, educated workforce, great public schools and pro-business climate. I hope this mutually beneficial partnership between GE and the Roanoke Valley can continue for another 60 years.”
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