GE Appliances said Wednesday that it will move production of refrigerators, gas ranges, and water heaters to U.S. plants from locations in foreign countries, including Mexico and China, as part of a $3 billion expansion of its American manufacturing network.
The Louisville-based company, owned by China’s Haier Group, said in an Aug. 13 statement and a press conference that the move will add more than 1,000 jobs across five Southern states, modernize its 11 U.S. plants with new automation, and expand output across all product lines. The plan follows earlier commitments to bring clothes-washer production from China to its Kentucky headquarters.
“Today we’re announcing a $3 billion, five-year plan to build more U.S. products and create more, good American jobs,” Kevin Nolan, president and CEO of GE Appliances, said during a press conference in Louisville.
“American manufacturing—it’s back. At GE Appliances, we’re showing the way how to bring American manufacturing back in a big way.”
GE Appliances said the production shift will see gas ranges now being made in Mexico moved to its plant in LaFayette, Georgia, while six refrigerator models currently built in China will be manufactured at its Decatur, Alabama, facility. The company’s Camden, South Carolina, plant will add electric and hybrid heat pump water heaters to its lineup—products also currently produced in China—doubling that factory’s output and employment.
In Selmer, Tennessee, GE Appliances will begin producing two new air conditioner models, while in Louisville, Kentucky, a previously announced $490 million investment will bring production of more than 15 front-load washer models from China to its sprawling headquarters campus, known as Appliance Park.
Once fully implemented, the plan will bring the company’s total U.S. investment since 2016 to $6.5 billion.
The reshoring and expanded investment announcements come as President Donald Trump seeks to attract factories back to the United States with a baseline 10 percent tariff on most imports, along with steeper duties on some countries, including China. Administration officials and others have described the policy as part of a broader effort to revive U.S. manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
A May survey by Allianz Trade found that nine out of 10 U.S. firms plan to bring some or all production back home or switch to domestic suppliers following Trump’s April announcement of tariff hikes. Executives cited greater reliability and reduced geopolitical risk as key benefits, though labor shortages and supply-chain complexity remain obstacles.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that GE Appliance’s latest expansion demonstrates the state’s ability to support global companies with a skilled workforce and a favorable business climate.
“Today, right here at Appliance Park, we’re showing the United States of America how it’s done,” Beshear said at Wednesday’s press conference. “We’re not talking about reshoring products, we’re actually doing it. We’re not talking about increasing manufacturing, we are adding it day after day after day.”
The company, which designs and engineers products in Louisville but also contracts with overseas manufacturers, said its core strategy is to base production in the United States wherever possible.
Bill Good, vice president of supply chain for GE Appliances, said that the company is also investing in workforce development and community projects as part of its expansion plan.
“America’s manufacturing renaissance will be built by people,“ Good said in a statement. ”That’s why we’re partnering with universities, technical schools, and high schools to develop the next generation of manufacturing leaders. We’re not just bringing jobs back—we’re bringing purpose, pride, and possibility back to American industry.”
GE Appliances said its domestic manufacturing footprint contributes more than $30 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supports more than 113,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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