GE Starts Production of New Built-in Refrigerator, Expands Operations in Selmer, Tenn.

$20 million investment positions Monogram® refrigeration plant for future growth

The GE Monogram® French door built-in refrigerators, built in Selmer, Tenn., are crafted to create an authentic experience in today's luxury kitchen. (Photo: GE)

SELMER, Tenn.--()--Today, GE (NYSE: GE) announced that it is celebrating the start of production of the first new GE Monogram® brand refrigerator product platform since 2001. The new product is part of a $20 million investment in the Selmer, Tenn., Monogram Refrigeration production facility. GE also announced the expansion of its warehousing operations to provide capacity for future growth. The new French door built-in refrigerator, part of the fastest-growing refrigeration configuration today*, is an addition to the other models made at the plant and is the first offering of its kind within the GE Monogram lineup.

State and local government officials, including Tennessee Commissioner Bill Hagerty and McNairy County Mayor Ronnie Brooks, joined GE executives and 140 employees at an event to unveil the new refrigerator during a ceremony at the facility at 11:00 a.m. CST today.

The $20 million investment included retooling a line to make the new product as well as new metal stamping and welding equipment that will increase capacity to insource more parts, thereby optimizing quality and efficiency. The investment and insourcing has created 10 new jobs in 2013, and more new jobs are expected to be added in the coming years.

At the same event, GE unveiled a new 120,000-square-foot warehouse that will replace the Selmer operation’s 40,000-square-foot warehouse. The new space can accommodate additional manufacturing and product parts insourcing.

“We couldn’t be happier with the progress we have made to manufacture products that meet the needs of style-conscious consumers who expect superior design,” said Ray Deming, general manager of Monogram Refrigeration Operation, LLC, a wholly owned affiliate of GE. “They expect us to exceed their expectations. It is critical that we invest in our products to maintain relevancy and contemporary style while also making our operations as competitive as possible.”

About the new French door built-in refrigerator:

Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship is the hallmark of the Monogram brand. GE’s Industrial Design Operation utilized unique, premium materials to create artisan-style quality. Tempered glass, fabricated steel and anodized aluminum emphasize the authentic luxury within each hand-built unit.

Performance elements

All styles (Custom-panel, Professional and European) include a variety of additional features:

  • Two, 18-inch-wide doors open at the center to reveal 14.49 cubic feet of space for fresh food and the bottom freezer drawer pulls out to reveal 6.06 cubic feet of freezer space.
  • Four adjustable fresh-food shelves provide greater storage flexibility.
  • Six adjustable door bins, including two gallon-size bins, make room for milk and large containers.
  • A full-extension freezer drawer provides easy access to frozen foods.
  • An icemaker in the bottom drawer provides a ready supply of clean, fresh-tasting ice using GE’s advanced water filtration system.
  • The digital control panel frees up space on the top shelf and provides precise temperature management, maintaining ideal conditions for fresh and frozen foods.

Availability

The new GE Monogram French door built-in refrigerator, built in Selmer, Tenn., will be available at select retailers in January of 2014 with full availability in September of 2014.

Pricing

  • European Style (ZIPS360NZ): MSRP** $8,599
  • Professional Style (ZIPP360NZ): MSRP** $8,799
  • Custom panel-trimmed (ZIP360NZ): MSRP** $7,499

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GE Appliances

GE Appliances is at the forefront of building innovative, energy-efficient appliances that improve people’s lives. GE Appliances’ products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information on GE Appliances, visit www.ge.com/appliances.

*Source: Association of Household Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), October 2013.
**Retailers set their own pricing.

Contacts

GE Appliances
Kim Freeman, Global PR Manager, 502-452-7819
kim_freeman@ge.com

Release Summary

GE announced the start of production of the first new GE Monogram® brand refrigerator product platform since 2001 in Selmer, Tenn. The new product is part of a $20 million investment in the facility.

Contacts

GE Appliances
Kim Freeman, Global PR Manager, 502-452-7819
kim_freeman@ge.com