Ózd, Hungary – GE has underpinned its commitment to growth in Europe with a $4.9 million investment at its Ózd facility in northeast Hungary that will create an additional 250 jobs. This plant produces GE Energy’s Elfa Plus range of safety and electrical system protection devices that are exported to markets throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
GE Energy’s manufacturing plant is already the largest employer in the town of Ózd, and the additional 250 jobs brings the total employed to 1600. The 20,000-sq.m. facility was opened in October 1999 and is recognized as a model site for manufacturing.
The Ózd plant produces circuit breakers and other safety and protection devices for use in a wide range of domestic and industrial electrical installations. GE’s investment in new production technologies, including laser welding, ultrasonic washing, and cleanroom assembly facilities, will enable the consistent production of high quality safety critical devices at Ózd.
"As the Employment Policy State Secretary of the government, I am happy to be here in this modern plant that was inaugurated in 1998 during the current government's previous term as the first major green-field investment in North-East Hungary," said Sándor Czomba, the minister of state for employment policy at the Ministry for National Economy, at the official opening ceremony. "It was a symbolic act to demonstrate the revival of an underprivileged region then. It is visible that the facility has not just grown both in size and profile in the past 13 years, but it is adding a new high value-added product line, creating 250 new jobs. GE's economic significance and good corporate citizenship makes it an investor the Hungarian government welcomed back then and continues to support."
"GE Energy is committed to increasing its business in Europe and creating jobs in the regions where we operate. We have invested in our manufacturing capability at Ózd to build on our established presence in Hungary. Building our business around local operations, like here in Hungary, is critical to evolving into a truly global company," said Todd Johnstone, CEO of GE Energy’s Industrial Solutions business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. "The products produced here in Ózd will be installed in millions of homes and workplaces in many different countries. They are vital to the efficient and safe operation of businesses and public services in countries, so it is crucial that we are able to ensure consistent high quality production standards as well as competitive production costs."
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