OREANDA-NEWS. September 13, 2012. Joined by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and local economic development leaders, GE (NYSE: GE) today publicly unveiled a USD3.1 million innovative engineering center at GE’s Waukesha gas engines facility and announced the hiring of 115 employees in Waukesha in the last 18 months. Renovation of the 22,000 square-foot engineering center is GE’s largest investment in the Waukesha facility since its acquisition of the Waukesha gas engines business in February 2011.

After helping cut the ribbon on the modernized engineering center, Gov. Walker met with employees and toured the Waukesha gas engines manufacturing operation. The tour included a 4,800 horsepower engine destined for an oversea oilfield and a Waukesha engine that provided standby electrical power to the World Trade Center in the midst of the tragedy on September 11, 2001.

“Developing best-in-class products requires a very creative approach to technology,” said Brian White, president of GE’s Waukesha gas engines. “We need to attract and retain the best and brightest talent to have a competitive advantage, and we believe that our work environment should encourage the creativity and collaboration that is part of the product development process.”

Engines produced by GE’s Waukesha facility are used in all stages of natural gas production, helping to meet the global need for cleaner, lower-carbon fuels. The Waukesha gas engines business, which has been in Waukesha, Wis., for more than 100 years, was acquired by GE to complement the company’s high-efficiency Jenbacher gas engines that are used for power generation.

At present, GE’s Waukesha facility employs about 680 people—about 100 of them in engineering. Since the acquisition, GE also has invested approximately USD1.8 million in employee health and safety projects at Waukesha.

“The future of Wisconsin depends on the strength of its businesses, small and large alike,” said Gov. Walker. “GE’s Waukesha gas engines facility epitomizes both Wisconsin’s robust manufacturing heritage and a growing spirit of innovation—making us more nimble and competitive on the global stage. We are delighted that GE is continuing to invest in this business, in Waukesha and in our state.”