Acting Plant Leader Darrick Kelley and other company officials met with Foxx, Ashe County Manager Dan McMillan and Commissioner William Sands on Wednesday for a brief Power Point presentation and plant tour. “We wanted to start off by thanking you,” Kelley said to Foxx. “We know how pivotal you were on the Hill working on our behalf, and meeting with CEO David Joyce. Thank you very much.”
Congress is dealing with legislation on the Joint Strike Fighter and GE–Aviation wants the F136 engine work to be a competitive bid process, offering the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team an opportunity to bid on some of the work, said Ashe County Economic Development Director Dr. Pat Mitchell. The value to North Carolina would be military engine work for several of the plants thereby shifting commercial work to West Jefferson which manufactures high quality rotating parts for commercial engines.
“Competing engines have been an integral component of the Joint Strike Fighter program from its inception,” the company states, “and its compelling benefits have led to 15 years of consistent, bipartisan Congressional support for the F136 engine development. Continuing the F136 will not only help to control JSF engine costs, but also spur innovation and accelerate weapon system readiness and performance. Eliminating the F136 program raises the question of whether more than one U.S. engine supplier will be capable of producing this type of engine in the future.”
Foxx asked how the plant would be affected if Congress was not successful with the project, and Kelley said in the short term the plant would be okay but long term it would mean shifting work around. Funding is definitely an important piece of the puzzle, he said.
According to their website, GE-Aviation is the world's leading producer of large and small jet engines for commercial and military aircraft. They also supply aircraft-derived engines for marine applications and provide aviation services.
Kelley was joined in the presentation and tour by Jessica Ensani, plant leader starting March 7; Sheila Farrell, human resources leader; Keith Wall, quality leader; and team members Jeff Wellington, Brenda McClure, Jason Davis, and Jeff Brown. The plant currently has 120 employees on three shifts. New equipment was brought in last year and the plant experienced 15 percent job growth. More new equipment is expected this year along with up to 20 percent job growth. Kelley said the plant will be announcing 20-25 new job opportunities this year.
Jobs will include machinists and support staff. Established criteria for applicants includes manufacturing experience and a two-year machining degree preferred, and the company works with community colleges to find qualified applicants.
McMillan said schools are encouraging students to follow a path of machining in manufacturing knowing that there is a job and facility here for them.
Ensani said GE-Aviation is committed to growing the manufacturing jobs and existing base, and Kelley noted that the company is bringing some jobs back from China.
Foxx added that Congress can improve the environment for jobs in this country by reducing the 35 percent corporate tax and the regulatory burden. She said she is fearful for the country is America loses its manufacturing abilities. This new engine is a good example, she said, of Americans being able to buy products made in America by Americans.
GE-Aviation in West Jefferson is also a great community partner, logging over 569 volunteer hours last year and many activities planned for this year.