MUNICH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 7, 2003--
'GE Global Research - Europe' Will Focus on Alternative Energy Systems, Sensors, Advanced Medical Imaging and Automotive Technologies
General Electric (GE) broke ground today on a $52 million (USD), 10,000 square meter (~107,600 sq. ft.) research facility on the Garching campus of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) that will employ 150 scientists and researchers by 2005. As GE's first research and development center in Europe, this facility is part of GE Global Research, which develops advanced research and technology for all of GE's businesses.
"Technology is the key driver for GE's future growth, and GE Global Research - Europe will be a welcome addition to our world-class technology team," said Jeffrey R. Immelt, GE Chairman and CEO. "To have the best products and services, you have to have the best technology, and that's what we deliver to our customers in Germany, across Europe and throughout the world."
GE Global Research - Europe will focus on four main research areas:
-- Alternative Energy Systems: Clean energy system technologies including wind energy, photovoltaics, microturbines, fuel cells and hydrogen energy systems. -- Sensor Technology: Miniature devices that provide monitoring, protection and control including automotive & industrial process sensors, biomedical sensors and water purification applications. -- Advanced Medical Imaging: Medical diagnostic research involving real-time 3D ultrasound, mammography, high-field MRI and high-speed MRI. -- Automotive Technology: High-end automotive applications involving power electronics, emissions & control sensors, advanced thermoplastic applications, next-generation lighting and hydrogen storage systems.
"It's an exciting time to be in technology at GE as we continue to expand our research capabilities around the world," said Scott Donnelly, senior vice president and director of GE Global Research. "We look forward to attracting some of the best scientific minds from this region and giving them the opportunity and the resources to work on some of the most significant emerging technologies of the 21st Century."
The new research center will be led by Dr. Armin Pfoh, a 13-year GE veteran. Dr. Pfoh has led a variety of medical imaging programs at GE Global Research headquarters in Niskayuna, New York and worked as a physicist for GE Medical Systems. Prior to GE, Dr. Pfoh directed CT engineering for Bruker Medical Imaging and was a researcher at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Dr. Pfoh earned his PhD in nuclear physics from the Max Planck Institute and is a native of Offenau am Neckar, Germany.
Construction of the new facility will continue through spring of 2004 and will begin operations in early summer 2004. The plan calls for approximately 25 researchers to be hired by the end of 2003, increasing to 150 by 2005.
GE Global Research - Europe is the fourth GE research and development facility worldwide, joining the sites in Niskayuna, New York; Bangalore, India; and Shanghai, China. The Global Research headquarters in Niskayuna was founded in 1900 and was the first industrial research lab in the United States. In 2002, GE announced a $100 million expansion to the New York facility to include a new wing of labs and state-of-the-art conferencing facilities.
In 2000, GE opened the John F. Welch Technology Centre in Banglaore, India -its first R&D center outside of the United States. GE is currently building a new technology center in Shanghai, China, which will open in 2003 and be home to the approximately 100 GE researchers currently in that country. Together the three facilities comprise 2,200 technologists, 750 of whom hold doctorates. These scientists conduct advanced research and development for all the GE businesses and are responsible for breakthroughs in such diverse technologies as medical imaging, aircraft engines, power generation, materials, lighting and locomotives.
GE has been active in Europe for more than 50 years. Today, GE has 72,000 employees in businesses located in every European country, ranging from aircraft engines and power systems to lighting, medical diagnostic equipment and appliances, with annual sales of $26 billion (USD) in 2002.
Since its founding in 1892 by Thomas Edison, GE's hallmark has been technological leadership. In its 111-year history, GE has registered more than 70,000 patents in the United States alone, and has had two Nobel prize winners. During that time, GE has brought to life innovations such as the first medical X-ray tube, man-made diamonds, Lexan(R) polycarbonate, the digital X-ray system, and the world's most powerful jet engine.
GE Global Research is one of the world's most diversified industrial research labs, providing innovative technology for all of GE's (NYSE: GE) businesses. Global Research has been the cornerstone of GE technology for more than 100 years, developing breakthrough innovations in areas such as medical imaging, energy generation technology, jet engines and lighting. GE Global Research is headquartered in Niskayuna, New York and has facilities in Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; and Munich, Germany. Visit GE Global Research at www.research.ge.com.
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