“Counterfeit and deceptively labeled water filters are sold every day through online channels, often appearing identical to brand-name products, but they don’t meet the safety, performance and structural standards consumers expect,” said Jill Notini, vice president of communications at the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

The company will design, test and manufacture water filters at a single location, a move it said will improve quality and supply chain resiliency.

“We’re combining cutting-edge automation, digital tools and highly skilled teams to build a manufacturing operation that raises the bar,” said Bill Good, vice president of manufacturing for GE Appliances.

The equipment was built by ATC in Cookeville, Tenn. Virtual reality, digital twin technology and advanced simulation tools were used during design and development of the manufacturing line, allowing teams to test the equipment and optimize the design before it was built. The operation includes fully automated assembly and packaging, robotic pick-and-place systems guided by machine vision, 100% in-line air leak testing and end-to-end traceability.

The manufacturing operation is engineered to produce water filters in seconds and is supported by control technicians, maintenance specialists and quality professionals who oversee performance, data integrity and continuous improvement.

Prior to launch, engineers and hourly control technicians spent weeks on site at the equipment manufacturer learning the new line and its controls.

The operation will run three shifts and was designed with lean manufacturing principles, ergonomics and energy efficiency in mind, including a conditioned manufacturing space, optimized material flow and reduced packaging materials. The operation will create 30 new jobs, with potential to expand.