Innovation centre opened by GE in Jo’burg

13 July 2016 Editor's Choice News

GE, one of the world’s biggest digital industrial companies, has invested R500 million in a 2700 m² innovation centre in Johannesburg. Officially opened on 24 June, the facility is the tenth of its kind built by the company globally, and the first in Africa.

The GE Africa Innovation Centre will be home to the company’s innovation across Africa within its key business sectors such as aviation, energy, healthcare, oil and gas, power and transportation. It will also serve as the new headquarters for GE Healthcare, whose president and CEO, John Flannery, attended the opening ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Jay Ireland, president and CEO for GE Africa, said “Innovation is shaping how we see the world and how we participate in its development today and into the future. GE is committed to driving innovation in Africa for Africa through supporting skills and SME development. The GE Africa Innovation Centre is one platform through which we are using our resources to empower ourselves and our stakeholders to positively contribute towards the sustainable development of Africa.

“We are looking to impact and enhance the career aspirations of over 100 engineers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. These are young people who will come through the centre and share their innovative solutions whilst learning from some of the best GE minds in their respective fields. They will work across GE’s product portfolio and deliver simplified world-class products to GE customers”.

The cutting edge facility boasts an Experience and Exploration Centre, coffee shop and catering facilities, agile workspaces, Learning and Development Centre, Innovation Ideation and Collaboration Centre, as well as a GE Prototyping Laboratory and sustainable Healthcare Customer Experience Centre. It is the first GREEN and LEED certified GE building in sub-Saharan Africa and was almost exclusively (90%+) built, designed and executed by local businesses.

For more information visit www.ge.com/africa/company/south-africa

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