Calgary, AB -- GE (NYSE: GE) Canada today announced the opening of the GE Innovation Centre- Calgary, Alberta focused on commercial discovery and collaboration. The first of its kind for GE in North America, the GE Innovation Centre leverages GE's global expertise, industrial breadth and technology to address challenges across the energy, healthcare, transportation and finance sectors.
"We view Canada as an important participant in the growth of the global economy," says John Rice, Vice Chairman GE, and President & CEO GE Global Growth and Operations. "Alberta's position as a global energy leader, along with its entrepreneurial success, and commitment to research and innovation are key attributes that influenced GE's location decision."
"Like the new GE Innovation Centre, Albertans want to build bridges and engage the world around them," says the Honourable Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta. "We are fostering a world-class, sustainable resource economy, and creating more opportunities for Alberta families. We appreciate GE's recognition of our strategy of investment and innovation, along with Albertans' entrepreneurial energy, and share in the company's excitement in establishing this important facility here in Alberta."
The GE Innovation Centre provides access to state-of-the-art technology, advanced engineering, analytic tools, and real-time data while also connecting local and global subject matter experts. GE's Global Heavy Oil Centre of Excellence addressing Canadian and global energy needs will be a core component of the Centre.
"To strengthen Canada's global competitiveness we need to build a culture of innovation and collaboration," says Elyse Allan, President and CEO, GE Canada. "This requires improving processes for commercialization and execution."
"This first-of-its-kind in North America, GE Innovation Centre -- Canada, opens more opportunities for talented Albertans and innovative companies to develop solutions in vital areas like sustainable energy production," says Stephen Khan, Alberta's Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education. "Equally important, the Centre is another example of our entrepreneurial spirit and innovation culture building a better Alberta."
Today's announcement reinforces GE Canada's commitment to investing in innovation and commercialization across the country. Recently, GE opened an Aircraft Engine Testing Research and Development Centre in Winnipeg, MB, and a Global Digital Pathology Centre of Excellence in Toronto, Ontario. Also in 2012 GE will open a Grid IQ™ Innovation Centre in Markham, Ontario, and a new Aviation robotics facility in Bromont, Quebec.
The GE Innovation Centre is part of GE Canada's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Alberta government, which was signed in 2010 and designed to provide opportunities to explore applications of technologies and opportunities for commercialization.
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About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
In Canada, GE has operations across the country, including major manufacturing, sales and service locations with 7,000 employees. For more information on the Canadian results of the GE Global Innovation Barometer, please visit www.ge.com/ca.
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