GE Aviation Expands Presence in Florida, Hosts Supplier Symposium

MELBOURNE, Fla., Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 60 businesses throughout Florida are participating in GE's Small Business Supplier Symposium today in Melbourne. GE Aviation is hosting the symposium to build relationships with Florida's aerospace suppliers, creating significant business opportunities across the state. 

State Senator Thad Altman and Brevard County Commissioner Andy Anderson will join GE Aviation and the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast at the symposium to bring this opportunity to Florida's businesses.

At the symposium, local small businesses interested in working with GE Aviation will have the opportunity to receive coaching and mentoring through panel discussions and one-on-one sessions.  Following the event, GE will move forward to the next phase of relationship development with companies that best match its needs and quality requirements.

GE Aviation General Manager of Structures and Machining Mike Sims will brief participating businesses at the symposium on the important relationships GE has with its suppliers and the ways such relationships can benefit Florida businesses.

"GE Aviation already has four facilities in the Sunshine State, so we know firsthand the incredible talent Florida's workforce has to offer," Sims said. "We are excited to expand our supplier network in the state and look forward to enhancing our Florida footprint for years to come."

"The GE Aviation Small Business Suppliers Symposium will provide a great forum for our local businesses in the aviation industry," said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast. "This opportunity allows Space Coast companies to showcase their capabilities to a global innovative leader in GE, which provides an avenue to advance Brevard County ingenuity. We look forward to the potential for partnership opportunities as well, which will only further enhance the reputation of the Space Coast's stellar high-tech workforce."

GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world's toughest challenges. GE employs more than 3,200 people in Florida. GE Aviation, a GE operating unit based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft.

GE Aviation employs approximately 37,000 employees – including more than 975 in Florida – and operates more than 50 manufacturing and service facilities around the world. The company invests $1 billion annually in jet propulsion R&D programs. This long tradition of commitment to new technology has helped GE establish its leadership position in the industry with a proud list of "firsts" in both the military and commercial jet propulsion, tracing back to 1942 with America's first jet engine.

SOURCE GE Aviation