OREANDA-NEWS. November 20, 2012.   GE’s Louisville, Ky. washing machine factory that has been spinning out topload washers since 1953 has added another cycle to its production— “overdrive.” The factory that now employs 928 will keep producing current models at a rapid pace, and has started production of the most energy-efficient, feature-rich, topload washing machine in its history, which added another 150 new U.S. jobs in the process.

The popularity of high-efficiency (HE) washing machines that drove the growth of frontload washing machines for the last 10 years has spread to topload configurations, which is now the fastest-growing segment of the washing-machine industry. This makes GE’s investment in new HE topload washing machines a smart business move and welcome news to the local community. In fact, over the last couple of years, sales of HE topload washers, which sell in the higher price points of topload units, have increased, while sales of frontload washers have declined over the same period.

To be categorized as a HE washer, the machines use an impeller instead of an agitator, which allows them to use less water and energy than a traditional washer. “GE’s new HE topload is around 60 percent more water efficient than a traditional topload washer,” said Heather Koyama, GE Appliances topload washing machine product manager. “There is no agitator in an HE washer, so the extra capacity lets the washer hold more clothes. The higher spin speeds allow more moisture to be removed from the clothes, which saves energy in the dryer.”

GE not only expects these new units to be a big plus for the company, but investing in manufacturing in Louisville is also boosting business for about 40 domestic suppliers, many of which are local or regional.

For example, rather than absorb the cost of building a painting operation for these new washing machines, GE has engaged a local supplier that cannot only provide high-quality paint finishes but, because the supplier is local and has expertise in this area, can quickly react to changing color trends in the industry or accommodate a special order for a GE customer.

In August 2011, Revere Plastics Systems, LLC, opened a plastics operation in Southern Indiana to support not only the new topload washers but a couple other products at Appliance Park. The new plant created about 190 jobs.

“Having a key supplier close to the manufacturing plant has tangible and intangible benefits,” said Craig Kellogg, president, Revere Plastics Systems, LLC. “The tangible benefits are the obvious ones. We can be more responsive; if it is quickly modifying a part or ramping up production to satisfy an order. The intangible benefits come from being able to be in the buildings where the products are made. We can become more of a partner, seeing how what we do fits in with the overall product and process, which puts us in a position to quickly help find solutions if there are problems. That is a great benefit to both the customer and us. You just can’t put a price on that, and you really can’t do that from half way around the world.”