GE announced it is investing more than $10 million to expand
its Inspection Technologies headquarters in Lewistown, Pa. Key features of the
expansion project include a new global customer applications center as well as
a nondestructive testing (NDT) academy for GE employees and customers. The
expansion will enable GE to maintain its position as a leader in developing and
manufacturing a wide range of remote visual inspection, ultrasonic, electromagnetic,
advanced radiography and computed tomography systems as well as data-management
software. These NDT systems are used to help extend the life of industrial
assets in the oil and gas, power-generation, metals-manufacturing, automotive
and aerospace sectors.
GE’s 52,000-square-foot expansion project will
increase the facility’s floor space by more than 63% and is scheduled to be
completed in 2012. The current 82,000 square-foot facility employs more than
230 people in the production of NDT inspection tools. GE’s Inspection
Technologies business is continuing to grow as more industrial operators
embrace the use of NDT solutions to monitor the condition of their equipment
and more accurately predict when certain components might need repair or
replacement-thus helping them to avoid costly, unplanned maintenance outages.