![]() Chrome hinges and handles completed the streamlined design that appealed to consumers.īetween the early 1930s and the late 1960s, GE engineers developed a number of other innovations, including a new lightweight insulating material called Thermocraft (1931) the first refrigerator with adjustable shelves (1933) the first two-door refrigerator-freezer combination (1947) and the first refrigerator with door-mounted water and ice dispensers (1969). He also extended the sides of the case to the floor, creating a rectangular shape that covered the legs. His 1934 “Flatop” design set a precedent that later models would imitate for decades.ĭreyfuss removed the condenser from its highly visible spot on top of the refrigerator and buried it at the base of the unit. To streamline the look of its refrigerators during the Great Depression, GE hired industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss. Between 19, GE produced millions of Monitor Tops at its factories in Erie, PA, and Schenectady, NY. Unlike many competitors, the refrigerator did not require fans, belts, shafts, seals or joints. It quickly became popular since it was affordable, energy efficient, highly dependable and quiet. The four-foot-tall refrigerator featured a hermetically-sealed steel case covered in a white porcelain enamel finish and spindly legs that mimicked the look of colonial-period furniture. The product soon became known as the “Monitor Top,” because its exposed round compressor unit resembled the cylindrical turret of a famous U.S. GE revolutionized the household appliance industry when it unveiled a new type of refrigerator in 1927. It featured a small wooden box that used sulfur dioxide to cool a circulating salt brine. In 1910, the first Hotpoint electric range appeared (Hotpoint became part of GE in 1918).įrom 1911 to 1928, GE produced one of the world’s first refrigerators at its Fort Wayne Works. began to experiment with new types of household gadgets such as irons and toasters. That’s when engineers at the General Electric Co. GE Appliances traces its roots to the early 1900s. “Our people and performance will continue to set us apart and enable our future growth.” “Our motto is ‘Growing People, Enhancing Performance, Creating Possibilities,’” says Story. ![]() In fact, more than 300 employees have worked at the facility for 30 or more years. This group of dedicated employees has created a positive culture and family atmosphere that is key to the success of the plant. “In addition, we have an experienced quality team, a highly skilled maintenance group and an efficient warehouse team on-site.” “On the two main assembly lines, we assemble components and ‘feature and appearance’ parts, such as vegetable pans and shelves braze our sealed system evacuate and charge units check for possible sealed system leaks and test each refrigerator for approximately 18 minutes,” explains Story. We also fabricate, foam and assemble the cases and doors that make up our refrigerators. “We process chemicals in our batching and foam processes process plastic via thermoforming and injection molding stamp metal for case and door blanks, as well as miscellaneous fab parts produce our own evaporators form many of our copper tubes and assemble and braze our compressor and condenser assemblies. “However, we are much more than just an assembly plant,” notes Story. ![]() “We have developed a culture and discipline to always look for ways to get better. ![]() “The Decatur plant has a long-standing tradition of excellence, focusing on our customer from both a quality and delivery perspective,” adds Renee Story, executive director of plant management. “The investment will significantly expand the plant and boost production capacity by 25 percent, making the Decatur plant a ‘refrigerator super site’ for GE Appliances.” “Our investment in Decatur is a critical part of our plan to be the leading appliance business in the United States,” says Kevin Nolan, president and chief executive officer of GE Appliances. ![]() The investment will add 40,000 square feet to the plant and more than 250 new jobs, boosting the number of full-time employees to nearly 1,350. When the project is completed by the end of this year, the facility will be able to produce more than 1 million units annually. GE Appliances recently announced a $115 million investment in the plant to increase flexibility to produce various refrigerator sizes to meet growing and changing customer demand. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |