GE Begins Hiring at Ellisville Plant

ELLISVILLE, Miss.– Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from GE Aviation today announced the company’s new 340,000-square-foot composites manufacturing facility in Ellisville, Miss., is nearing completion, and the company will begin the hiring process in November.

GE Aviation expects to employ 250 workers at the plant within the next five years. Employees will be engaged in the production of advanced composite components for aircraft engines and systems.

Hiring will be conducted in waves, with positions for production associates to be posted on Nov. 5 at the WIN Job Center, 2139 Hwy. 15 North, Ste. D, in Laurel, Miss. The company expects to make hires from the November postings beginning in March 2013.

“I am pleased that the new GE Aviation facility in Ellisville is nearing completion,” Gov. Bryant said. “GE is an important player in Mississippi’s growing aerospace industry. I look forward to the start of the hiring process and the opening of this plant so more Mississippians will have the opportunity to build good careers right here in Ellisville.”

GE Aviation, a global leader in jet engine and aircraft systems production, created the Ellisville operation to meet growing demand and even expanded the plant’s design from 300,000 square feet to 340,000 square feet prior to construction.

“The completion of our new factory is on schedule,” said Rick Wehmer, plant manager for the Ellisville operation. “The support from the state of Mississippi has been fantastic, and we are thrilled to show the governor the great progress we have made. We expect to begin low-rate production at the plant within the next 12 months.”

GE Aviation’s Ellisville location is the company’s second in Mississippi and represents a $56 million company investment with $8 million in assistance provided by the state of Mississippi.

“We’re very pleased GE Aviation is taking this opportunity to expand on the success they’re having in Mississippi,” said Brent Christensen, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. “The company has been a valued corporate citizen and partner, and the facility in Ellisville is another testament to GE Aviation’s collaboration with our universities and their faith in the Mississippi workforce.”

In 2008, GE Aviation opened a composites manufacturing facility in Batesville where the company currently employs 450 workers. The company has collaborated with Mississippi universities for research and development and will also work with Jones County Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi to conduct employee training for the Ellisville facility.