GE Appliances shifts washer production to Kentucky in $490M move

In a landmark move that underscores a growing trend of reshoring American manufacturing, GE Appliances announced on Thursday a $490 million investment into its Louisville-based headquarters, Appliance Park. The project is set to create 800 new jobs and shift production of key laundry appliances from China to the U.S.

The significant investment aims to relocate the production of combo washer/dryers and over 15 models of front-load washing machines from China to Kentucky. Once completed, the new manufacturing lines—scheduled to open in 2027—will help make GE Appliances the largest manufacturer of washing machines in the United States, the company said.

‘Zero-Distance’ Strategy and U.S. Manufacturing Focus

CEO Kevin Nolan emphasized that the reshoring effort aligns with GE Appliances’ “zero-distance” strategy, which aims to produce appliances closer to customers. “Manufacturing in the U.S. is fundamental to our business strategy,” Nolan said. “This decision is our most recent product reshoring and aligns with the current economic and policy environment.”

That environment includes steep tariffs imposed on imported goods, particularly those from China. In recent years, the U.S. government has levied tariffs of 10% on most imports and up to 30% on Chinese products, part of a broader strategy to encourage domestic manufacturing. GE Appliances notes that nearly all the steel used in its U.S. production is sourced from American suppliers.

A Boost for Kentucky

The new investment strengthens Kentucky’s role as a hub for appliance manufacturing. “Today’s announcement brings more appliance manufacturing back to the United States and solidifies Kentucky and Louisville as the global headquarters of GE Appliances,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

GE Appliances’ Louisville facility—Appliance Park—is already home to five major production plants and employs roughly 8,000 workers. With the new production lines, the area devoted to clothes care manufacturing will be equivalent to 33 football fields.

Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation

The redesigned factory will feature state-of-the-art automation and robotics. GE Appliances plans to integrate technologies such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to boost efficiency and innovation. These tools will support what the company calls its most advanced laundry production operation to date.

“Manufacturing in Louisville puts production closer to our designers, engineers, and consumers so that together we can create our most innovative laundry platforms,” said Lee Lagomarcino, vice president of clothes care at GE Appliances.

Part of a Broader Investment Strategy

This latest $490 million infusion builds on GE Appliances’ broader commitment to U.S. manufacturing. Over the past decade, the company has invested $3.5 billion in its domestic operations, with more than one-third allocated to Appliance Park alone. The company also operates manufacturing facilities in South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Connecticut.

While GE Appliances continues to rely on overseas partners for some production—due to capacity constraints—the company’s stated goal is to expand U.S.-based manufacturing as a cornerstone of its business model.

Global Ownership, Local Impact

GE Appliances is a subsidiary of China-based Haier, but its growing footprint in the U.S. illustrates the complex interdependence of global supply chains and domestic industry. The investment in Kentucky signals a major step toward more self-contained production within U.S. borders.

With its emphasis on proximity, innovation, and job creation, GE Appliances’ latest move could serve as a model for other manufacturers seeking to navigate the shifting landscape of global trade and domestic demand.