GE Aviation, U.S. Senator Max Baucus Host Montana Supplier Symposium

More than 60 Montana Businesses Participate

BILLINGS, Mont., Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 60 Montana businesses are participating in GE Aviation's Small Business Supplier Symposium today in Billings. Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus has been working with GE Aviation, a world leader in commercial and military jet engine and component production, to bring this opportunity to Montana. GE Aviation is holding the symposium in order to build relationships with Montana's aerospace suppliers, creating business opportunities within the state.  

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

GE Aviation Shop Operations Executive Matt Kress and SeaCast Vice President Bert Robins briefed participating businesses at the symposium on the important relationships GE Aviation has with its suppliers and the ways such relationships can benefit Montana businesses.

"GE Aviation has been looking to expand its work with the business community of Montana, and this event gives us the perfect opportunity to do just that," Kress said. "GE already has a sizable footprint in Montana thanks to the successful General Electric Montana Center of Excellence in Billings. We look forward to growing that footprint and working with aerospace suppliers throughout the Treasure State."

Sen. Baucus, who announced the event earlier this year, delivered the keynote address today at the Crown Plaza in Billings. Sen. Baucus' staff has been working closely with businesses throughout Montana to maximize the opportunity to create new jobs by becoming a supplier for GE Aviation.

"My thanks go out to GE Aviation for answering our call to provide this incredible opportunity to Montana businesses," Baucus said. "Clearly, manufacturers across the state were hungry for this shot at expanding because they showed up in force to make this one of the largest symposiums ever for GE Aviation. This highlights Montana's dynamic manufacturing sector. It also reinforces the fact that when presented with the right opportunity – Montana businesses have the work ethic and the know-how to compete on a global scale to create good-paying jobs here at home."

In addition to Sen. Baucus, the Montana World Trade Center and the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center worked with GE Aviation to plan the symposium and bring this opportunity to Montana businesses. The Montana World Trade Center has a long history of supporting business networking, and the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center has provided business and manufacturing assistance to more than 650 businesses across the state.

GE Aviation employs approximately 37,000 employees 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.

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. 

SOURCE GE Aviation

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