GE scales back Ontario factory plans

GE has selected Welland as the location for its new multi-modal “brilliant Factory”

Last September, GE said that they were relocating the factory to Canada due to the loss of U.S. Export financing and will create 350 jobs.

But GE Canada is now scaling back its plans to build a new engine factory in Welland, because of slow demand from the oil and gas industry.

The company said due to industry economic conditions it will create 150 jobs in the first phase.

However, GE Canada spokeswoman Kim Warburton says the company anticipates the numbers to grow over time at the flexible factory.

The company said it would build the new factory in Canada to access support from Export Development Canada.

The Ontario factory is expected to begin production in early 2018.