Appliance manufacturer GE plans to relocate washing machine production from China to Kentucky, announcing a $490 million investment in the U.S. state.
Get ready to wash and dry local 'cause GE Aerospace ain't messin' around! Larry Culp, their CEO, announced a massive deal with Qatar Airways, making it the largest widebody engine order in their company's history. But let's talk about what's really brewing here - the resurgence of appliance production right here in the USA!
On a hot Thursday in June 2025, GE Aerospace's sister company GE Appliances dropped a bomb. They announced they'd be shelling out half a billion dollars (yep, $490M) to bring the production of most of their washing machines from the Far East to Louisville, Kentucky.
This operation is gonna roll into their colossal Appliance Park headquarters, the same place they already crank out washers and dryers. Making up around 8,000 jobs, they're expecting to create at least 800 new full-time positions.
US politics got a little spicy lately? Well, this move ain't all about President Trump rambling on Twitter. It's more about that policy environment, especially those tariffs on imported goods. GE Appliances wants to keep things close to home, and they ain't shy about it. In fact, they're calling this relocation their "zero-distance" business strategy, bringing production as close as possible to their customers and consumers.
Loads of washer models (over 15, to be exact) are heading to Louisville. By 2027, Building 2 in Appliance Park is gonna be smothered in clothes care production, covering an area equivalent to 33 football fields.
What about those other appliances you ask? Yup, next door in Building 1, they're already turning out top-load washers and front-load dryers. So don't worry, whatever your laundry game needs, these bad boys will take care of it.
By shifting production domestically, they'll be able to work closely with their designers, engineers, and consumers to put out some seriously innovative laundry platforms. And if you ain't convinced yet, just ask Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. He's all about this resurgence in advanced manufacturing, saying the new investment "strengthens one of our vital Kentucky assets" and "underscores our state's reputation as America's destination of choice for advanced manufacturing and job creation."
So pour yourself a cold one and settle back for some good ol' American manufacturing. GE Appliances ain't just talk; they're putting their money where their mouth is and giving the people what they want: quality appliances made right here at home. Booyah!
This substantial investment by GE Appliances, amounting to $490 million, is a strategic move in the world of finance, aimed at enhancing the domestic economy by shifting the production of washing machines from overseas to Louisville, Kentucky. This business decision, referred to as their "zero-distance" strategy, is designed to bring production closer to their consumers, thus fostering innovation and creating 800 new full-time positions. Governor Andy Beshear, acknowledging this resurgence, attributes it to the strengthening of a significant Kentucky asset, reaffirming the state's reputation for advanced manufacturing and job creation.
