Thanks to the Competitive Wage Agreement, GE Appliance Park will be manufacturing the pedestals used for frontload washers and dryers. The optional pedestals, previously made in China, are mounted under the laundry pair to increase accessibility and provide convenient storage for laundry supplies.

Benefits from the Competitive Wage Agreement, continue to mount. The Agreement has brought jobs to Appliance Park, because it allows plants at the Park to be more cost competitive and win bids for work previously done by suppliers.

Most recently, GE has scored a win on the global scene - in-sourcing a product previously made in China - the first time GE has in-sourced a product made by a manufacturer in that country. Starting the first quarter of next year, Building 1, the laundry manufacturing facility, will be making the optional pedestals used under the frontload laundry pair. The pedestals, which are mounted under the washer and dryer, increase accessibility and provide a convenient storage drawer for laundry supplies.

"It's a great win for the Park," says Keene Taylor, Building 1 New Product Introduction Manager. "By in-sourcing this product we will be adding anywhere from 25 to 32 new jobs, depending on the final set up of the manufacturing line."

Planning for the product
Initial scope studies on in-sourcing the pedestals to Appliance Park began about a year ago. "Although labor costs were less in China, after we figured in all of the freight and transportation costs combined with the new Competitive Wage Agreement, it just made good business sense to make the product at Appliance Park," says Chris Bradshaw, Program Manager.

To bring the product to the Park, engineers redesigned the pedestal from the way it was made in China. "We also developed a plan on how it would be assembled to make us competitive with China," says Scott Douthett, Operations Manager, Building 1. "We are in the process now of designing a new line and work stations where the pedestals will be assembled. We also are purchasing a new plastic press that will be used to make some of the parts for the drawer system."

"Bringing this product to the Park is a real vote of confidence in our people and in our ability to be the high-quality supplier for the pedestals," says Keene. "It's a great win for the people at the Park. It allows us to hire new people and raise the level of employment at the Park."