GE Appliances is investing in its plastic molding operations as part of a $450 million expansion of its manufacturing headquarters in Kentucky, state officials announced.
An Oct. 28 news release from Gov. Andy Beshear said the company, as part of an expansion adding 1,000 new jobs at its Appliance Park operations in Louisville, would "provide new equipment to support the company's Plastics Injection Molding Center of Excellence."
A GE spokeswoman did not provide details on the plastics-related spending but said the company planned to release more information later. Beshear's announcement did not provide more specific information.
The GE statement called the overall expansion "one of the largest investment announcements in the company's 100-year history" and said it would cover upgrading facilities, increasing capacity and launching new products.
The company has more than 6 million square feet of manufacturing space in Appliance Park for making washers, dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators. It has more than 7,100 full-time employees in and around Appliance Park in manufacturing, distribution, design and other functions.
"GE Appliances continues to bring manufacturing back to the United States — creating jobs and economic growth," said Kevin Nolan, president and CEO for GE Appliances.
The company, which is owned by Chinese appliance maker Haier, said it has invested $1.3 billion in its U.S. manufacturing and distribution operations over the last five years and created more than 3,000 jobs.