GE Producing Its First U.S.-Made Front Loader

By Alan Wolf On Apr 22 2013 - 12:16pm

The ergonomically correct RightHeight Design washer is GE’s first domestically produced front loader.

Louisville, Ky. — GE has begun producing its first U.S.-made front-load laundry pair.

The new ergonomically designed models feature a built-in 7-inch riser and extra-wide door to help reduce strenuous bends and long reaches.

GE invested more than $100 million to upgrade two assembly lines in Building 1 of its massive Appliance Park manufacturing complex here, where traditional top-load washers have been built for 60 years.

RadioShack Franchisee Adds GE Majaps

By Alan Wolf On Apr 12 2013 - 4:29pm

RadioShack franchisees Jim (left) and Steve Andres with their just-shipped GE display. Photo credit: Morrison County Record

Little Falls, Minn. — A franchised RadioShack dealer has added a full line of GE appliances to one of his seven independently owned stores.

RadioShack’s more than 1,000 franchised locations can vary widely from the 4,700 uniform corporate stores, with owners given wide latitude with assortment and design.

GE Accuses Whirlpool Of Fixing Compressor Prices

By Alan Wolf On Feb 21 2013 - 12:02pm

Louisville, Ky. — GE has filed an antitrust suit against Whirlpool and four of its subsidiaries and suppliers for conspiring to inflate the price of refrigerator compressors.

The suit, filed last week in a federal court here, claims the subsidiaries, Embraco North America and Whirlpool S.A., colluded with European suppliers Danfoos A/S and Household Conpressors Holding SpA, to limit compressor production, raise prices, and allocate GE’s purchases among themselves to avoid competition.

GE Producing New HE Top-Load Washer

By Alan Wolf On Dec 6 2012 - 4:40pm

GE said its new top-load washer, which went into production last month, is its most energy-efficient model ever within that segment.

Louisville, Ky. — GE began production last month of what it describes as the most energy-efficient and feature-laden top-load washer in the company’s history.

The new line, manufactured domestically at GE’s sprawling Appliance Park facility, here, was developed in response to rapid growth within the high-efficiency (HE) top-load category. Indeed, HE top loaders are now the fastest-growing segment of the washer market, a company spokesperson told TWICE, outpacing and even cannibalizing sales of front-load washers, which had enjoyed a decade-long ride.

By Alan Wolf on Dec 6 2012 - 3:16pm

GE’s Immelt: The Best Is Yet To Come

TWICE recently attended a GE holiday soirée at 30 Rock hosted by chairman/CEO Jeffrey Immelt. While he wouldn’t talk shop about majaps (“Come on, it’s a party!” he admonished a reporter), he did paint an optimistic picture of America in remarks before the crowd. Here are the cocktail-napkin bullet points: