GE Appliances just opened a prototype for the factory that features advanced systems and robotics. The company’s $70 million water heating plant, which officially opened this month in Camden, S.C. is state-of-the-art and is a glimpse into the future of appliance manufacturing.
The gas water heaters will be for professional contractors as well as plumbing and HVAC wholesalers. The designation and advanced technologies could be what we might expect for things to come in kitchen and laundry production too.
The new Camden plant is vertically integrated and will produce finished units starting from coils of steel. The new manufacturing facility features advanced metal fabrication and welding, robotics systems for material handling, processing and also enameling of the steel. The facility is also built for future expansion.
It took a team of 50 leaders and employees and more than 5,700 hours of training in robotics, welding and mechatronics during its construction and in preparation for its high tech launch.
Since 2016, GE Appliances has invested $2 billion in its U.S. manufacturing and distribution. They have added more than 3,000 new employees creating 88,000 jobs. The new prototype facility falls under GE’s two-year-old Air & Water Solutions division which is dedicated to serving the unique needs of professional contractors and wholesale distributors in the plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industries.
“Investing in U.S. manufacturing is a winning strategy for GE Appliances bringing us even closer to our customers and enabling us to serve them better,” said Kevin Nolan, president and CEO of GE Appliances. “We’re doubling down on innovation in high-tech products, cutting-edge, advanced manufacturing, and creating American jobs.”
