GE Appliances' "Made in USA" Investment Plan Exceeds $3 Billion – CEO Highlights Challenges of Reshoring

GE Appliances recently announced a major investment plan totaling over $3 billion to significantly expand its U.S. manufacturing operations over the next five years. This marks the second-largest investment in the company's history and aligns closely with the Trump administration's push to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

According to the plan, the funds will focus on three key areas: expanding air conditioner and water heater product lines, boosting production capacity across all product lines, and modernizing 11 U.S. manufacturing plants. The first phase of investment will begin at facilities in Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

"Zero Distance" Strategy to Reduce Operational Gaps
GE Appliances CEO Kevin Nolan explained that businesses should rethink how to relocate more supply chain segments to the U.S. to build a more responsive and efficient system. Nolan emphasized, "This will create a virtuous cycle," noting that as more companies choose local production, suppliers are likely to follow suit.

This massive investment is part of GE Appliances' "zero distance" operational strategy, which aims to minimize physical and time gaps between manufacturing sites and end customers.

In June, the company announced plans to shift washing machine production from China to its Kentucky facility, demonstrating its commitment to localizing supply chains.

At its Camden, South Carolina plant, GE will add electric and hybrid water heater production lines. By 2026, the facility is expected to double both output and workforce size.

The Tennessee plant will introduce new air conditioner models, while the Georgia site plans to significantly increase production of gas ranges, induction cooktops, wall ovens, and cooktops—relocating gas range production from Mexico back to the U.S.

The Decatur, Alabama facility will bring freezer production in-house, and in Kentucky, the company is investing $490 million to launch new washer-dryer combo and front-load washer lines, creating 800 new jobs.