LOUISVILLE, KY—GE Appliances (GEA), a Haier company, announced the startup of a new $80 million dishwasher manufacturing line at its supersite here. The new line has a completely redesigned extra-large capacity dishwasher platform.

This line, together with production increases in other product categories, will add more than 280 new jobs at Appliance Park as GEA increases output to meet demand. This investment is the second dishwasher investment in 2020 and follows the announcement in June of $19 million to expand the facility.

The $80 million investment will add robotic and other advanced manufacturing equipment to eliminate difficult jobs, improve ergonomics and enhance the manufacturing environment. As part of the design process, engineering and manufacturing teams worked on the assembly line to experience how the manufacturing process could be made easier for production employees. The result was improved manufacturability and a higher-quality product designed with consumers in mind. The new dishwashers also have an updated appearance, electronic controls and true flush installation.

“At a time when our research has shown families are using their dishwashers more than ever, we’re excited to expand our product offerings—and our U.S. manufacturing capabilities to give consumers access to more of the appliances they want and need," says Cinthy Fanning, vice president for dishwasher products for GEA.

Over the last two years, GEA has increased its workforce by more than 2,000 employees in the U.S. and invested more than $740 million at its nine manufacturing plants. More than 7,100 employees work in Louisville, Kentucky at the company’s headquarters and largest manufacturing operation with company operations generating an annual economic impact of $11 billion in the state.