08 May 2012
In order to provide reliable electrical distribution product and service solution to its customers in Latin America, GE Energy's Industrial Solutions business celebrated the opening of its new manufacturing facility in Santiago, Chile. Products assembled at the plant will be supplied to customers in a variety of Latin American industries such as metals, mining and pulp and paper.
The facility was opened to help meet local companies' needs for advanced technology that provides a reliable electrical infrastructure, by localizing operations to cut delivery time and customer costs. The Latin American mining industry is expected to flourish in coming years due to the abundance of copper, nickel, zinc, silver and other metals and minerals with a high global demand. The Center for Copper and Mining Studies anticipates that an estimated US250 billion will be invested in to Latin American mining projects by 2020. The continents pulp and paper industry is also very successful, with Brazil ranking among the top 10 global producers in 2009 and increased investment into the industry in Chile, Peru, Mexico and Brazil is expected.
GE has been a presence in the continent since 1896, employing over 19,700 employees in 31 Latin American countries.