GE Aerospace to Invest Nearly $1B in U.S. Manufacturing in 2025
Mar 19, 2025 03:32PM ● By WNC Business
GE Aerospace announced plans to invest nearly $1 billion in its U.S. factories and supply chain to strengthen manufacturing and increase the use of innovative new parts and materials needed for the future of flight.
This new investment includes $20 million in Asheville for new tooling, additional inspection equipment to ensure consistent quality, and more advanced machines that can shape metal parts to precise specification to increase capacity. The site plans to purchase additional equipment to produce ceramic matrix composite engine parts, which are one-third lighter and can withstand up to 500 degrees hotter temperatures than most metals. Upgrades to the building interior and exterior are planned.
GE Aerospace is growing its capacity and expanding several key sites, especially those that support the production and assembly of the narrowbody CFM* LEAP engine, where deliveries are expected to increase by 15-20% this year. These investments, combined with GE Aerospace's proprietary lean operating model, FLIGHT DECK, are improving safety, quality, delivery and cycle times.
The remainder of the investment will be distributed across sixteen states, including additional investments in North Carolina: $16 million in Durham for additional equipment to support the assembly of commercial engines, including LEAP; $13 million in West Jefferson for expanding the building to increase production of key parts of the engine; and $52 million for a facility in Wilmington.
This new investment includes $20 million in Asheville for new tooling, additional inspection equipment to ensure consistent quality, and more advanced machines that can shape metal parts to precise specification to increase capacity. The site plans to purchase additional equipment to produce ceramic matrix composite engine parts, which are one-third lighter and can withstand up to 500 degrees hotter temperatures than most metals. Upgrades to the building interior and exterior are planned.
Asheville plays a key role in producing parts needed for the ramp-up of LEAP engines used on narrowbody aircraft, along with parts in widebody aircraft and military fighter jets, helicopters and ships. Engines made by GE Aerospace and its joint venture partners power three out of every four commercial flights around the world and two of three U.S. military combat and helicopter aircraft.
"Investing in manufacturing and innovation is more critical than ever for the future of our industry and the communities where we operate," said H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace. "We are committed to helping our customers modernize and expand their fleets while scaling technologies that will truly define the future of flight. Together, this will keep the United States at the forefront of aerospace leadership."GE Aerospace is growing its capacity and expanding several key sites, especially those that support the production and assembly of the narrowbody CFM* LEAP engine, where deliveries are expected to increase by 15-20% this year. These investments, combined with GE Aerospace's proprietary lean operating model, FLIGHT DECK, are improving safety, quality, delivery and cycle times.
The remainder of the investment will be distributed across sixteen states, including additional investments in North Carolina: $16 million in Durham for additional equipment to support the assembly of commercial engines, including LEAP; $13 million in West Jefferson for expanding the building to increase production of key parts of the engine; and $52 million for a facility in Wilmington.
*CFM LEAP engines are made by CFM International, a 50-50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.
Source: GE Aerospace.