GE Chairman and CEO, Jeff Immelt, joins Bavarian Minister of State and business leaders to celebrate the 5th anniversary of GE's European research and development center
Munich, July 3, 2009 -- GE Chairman and CEO, Jeff Immelt, joined Bavarian Minister of State Siegfried Schneider today, to mark the 5th anniversary of GE's research and development center in Germany. At the celebration, GE Energy, GE Healthcare, and GE Global Research signed new European technology partnership agreements that will further strengthen GE's commitment to the European region, while solving some of the world's biggest environmental challenges.
The agreements signed today are:
* GE Global Research announced a 5 million euro partnership with the Technical University of Munich to advance research and development of carbon composite manufacturing technology.
"In just five years, the Munich technology center has become the hub of European technology and innovation for GE. The agreements signed today exemplify the depth of expertise coming out of Global Research Europe," said Jeff Immelt. "Our scientists here are committed to redefining what's possible in the healthcare and energy sectors. They work to improve the way we use and generate power, diagnose and treat disease, and envision the future of technology."
"In the past five years GE Global Research has become an indispensable part and an exquisite enrichment of the broad and multifaceted research landscape of Bavaria. GE's decision to build their only European R&D facility in Garching near Munich emphasized the international reputation of Bavaria as a location for world-class research and innovation. The research campus in Garching, with the TU and LMU faculties, as well as independent facilities, the research reactor FRM II, and the close relationship between business and science offers ideal surroundings for the development of future technologies for tomorrow's ideas and products", said Siegried Schneider, Bavarian Minister of State. "The Bavarian government strives to offer the best framework by investing in excellent education, cutting-edge infrastructure and new energy and environmental technologies. Our aim is to reach a new level of high technology offensive with a focus on green technologies, such as renewables and alternative energy. In the economic crisis, it's especially important to intensify research and development to be in first place when the upswing comes. Congratulations to GE Global Research on its fifth anniversary and all the best wishes for a successful future!"
Throughout Global Research Europe's five-year history, GE has invested 100 million Euros into research and development at the site and it has become a driving force in GE's commitment to both ecomagination and healthymagination. Key technologies being advanced by Global Research Europe are in the areas of renewable energy, including wind and solar, metabolic imaging, waste heat recovery, and composites manufacturing.
GE Global Research Europe, located on the Garching campus of the Technical University of Munich, has rapidly established a strong research presence here. This state-of-the-art 10,000 square-meter facility was established and built as part of GE's 4 billion US dollar worldwide technology development effort since 2001 to expand its capacity for advanced technology development. The center has labs specializing in power and propulsion systems, technologies for the oil & gas industry, systems for inspection and security applications and diagnostic imaging for healthcare, which have all become vital parts of GE's global research team.
About GE Global Research
GE Global Research is one of the world's most diversified industrial research labs, providing innovative technology for all of GE's 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.ge.com/research.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is an innovative and diversified technology company taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, healthcare, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
Ulrike Gaissert
GE in Deutschland Österreich und der Schweiz
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