GE Appliances’ $3 Billion Push: What It Means for Decatur, Alabama

GE Appliances has announced a sweeping plan to invest more than $3 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations over the next five years, marking the second-largest investment in the company’s history. 

As part of this expansion, the company will shift production of six models of top-freezer refrigerators from China to its plant in Decatur, bringing more work to the State and modernizing local operations with advanced automation and efficiency upgrades. The move is expected to create more than 1,000 positions across facilities in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Alabama.

The Decatur investment is part of a nationwide modernization push covering 11 U.S. factories. GE’s strategy focuses on producing appliances closer to its customer base while upgrading plants with lean manufacturing methods, skilled workforce training, and automated production systems. The company is also expanding partnerships with universities, technical schools, and high schools to ensure it has a pipeline of skilled workers ready to meet increased production demands.

This investment aligns with national trade policies under the Trump administration, which have placed tariffs on imported goods to encourage companies to reshore manufacturing to the United States. By moving more production stateside, GE aims to reduce exposure to foreign supply chain risks and lower import-related costs. In addition to Alabama’s refrigerator production, Georgia will take over manufacturing of gas ranges from Mexico, South Carolina will double production at its Camden plant by adding electric and hybrid water heaters currently made in China, and Tennessee’s Selmer facility will introduce two new air conditioner models.

“We are defining the future of manufacturing at GE Appliances by investing in our plants, people, and communities,” said Kevin Nolan, President and CEO of GE Appliances. “No other appliance company over the last decade has invested more in U.S. manufacturing than we have, and our $3 billion, five-year plan shows that our commitment to U.S. manufacturing will continue into the future.”

Since being acquired by China-based Haier in 2016, GE Appliances has steadily expanded its U.S. manufacturing footprint. When the latest plan is complete, the company will have invested $6.5 billion in its domestic plants and distribution network since the acquisition. Officials say this commitment reflects both a strategic business decision and a belief in the future of American manufacturing. “Infrastructure and tools matter, but they are not enough,” said Bill Good, Vice President of Supply Chain for GE Appliances. “America’s manufacturing renaissance will be built by people.”

For Alabama, the Decatur facility’s expansion offers more than just additional production lines. It promises well-paying jobs, advanced training opportunities, and a stronger place in the nation’s manufacturing network.