General Electric's Subsidiaries: Who And What They Own

what companies does general electric own

General Electric (GE) is an American multinational conglomerate founded in 1892 by Thomas Edison. Over the years, GE has had multiple divisions, including aerospace, energy, healthcare, lighting, locomotives, appliances, and finance. The company has a vast product line and has laid a large part of its tradition in the advancement of technological infrastructure. GE has had to sell off many of its peripheral businesses, including GE Plastics, GE Transportation, and GE Appliances, following the 2008 financial crisis. However, it still owns 49 companies, including GE Capital, Baker Hughes, GE Packaged Power Inc., and Alstom.

Characteristics Values
Number of Companies Owned 49
Industries Transportation, Energy, Manufacturing, Aviation, Healthcare, Broadcasting, Finance, Oil and Gas, Construction, Locomotive, Appliances, Lighting, Renewable Energy, Power, Digital Industry, Additive Manufacturing, Software Development, and Energy Financial Management
Current Subsidiaries GE Energy Management Services, LLC, GE Capital, Baker Hughes, GE Packaged Power Inc, Alstom, GE Aviation, Datex-Ohmeda Inc, GE Healthcare, GE Aerospace, GE Vernova
Former Subsidiaries GE Plastics, GE Transportation, GE Appliances, NBCUniversal, GE Broadcasting Company, GE Cablevision Corporation
Founders Thomas Edison
Year Founded 1892
Headquarters Boston, USA
Notable Achievements First commercially-viable incandescent lamp, electric locomotive, X-ray machines, electric stove
Nobel Prize Winners Irving Langmuir, Ivar Giaever

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GE Aviation, GE Packaged Power, and GE Vernova

GE Aviation is a subsidiary of General Electric that specializes in manufacturing aircraft engines, components, and integrated systems for commercial, military, and civil aviation. It is one of the largest suppliers of commercial jet engines and has a significant presence in the aviation industry.

GE Packaged Power, launched in 2012, provides a fully integrated and quickly deployable modular set of solutions and services. These solutions improve the protection, control, and automation of power system applications. GE's packaged solutions are designed to be incorporated at any stage of the power distribution process, from power generation and transmission to distribution and utilization. They offer seamless integration with multi-vendor and legacy protection devices, ensuring flexibility and easy expansion.

GE Vernova is a leader in energy technologies, accelerating the transition to more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. With approximately 57,000 wind turbines and 7,000 gas turbines, GE Vernova's technology generates about 25% of the world's electricity. The company has a global presence in approximately 100 countries and is committed to decarbonizing the world while electrifying it. GE Vernova aims to reduce the carbon intensity of global power systems by lowering CO2 emissions per kWh produced.

These three divisions of General Electric showcase the company's diverse portfolio and its commitment to innovation in the aviation and energy sectors.

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GE's history in broadcasting and television

General Electric (GE) has played a significant role in the development of broadcasting and television. The company was formed in 1892 through the merger of Edison General Electric and Thomson-Houston, and it quickly became a leader in the lighting industry and scientific innovation. GE's history in broadcasting began with the development of radio, as the company was one of the founding members of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in 1919, along with Westinghouse Electric, AT&T, and United Fruit. RCA was a leader in radio manufacturing and controlled the two largest radio networks in the United States, which were part of the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), formed in 1926.

In the early days of radio, NBC was divided into two networks: the Red Network, which focused on entertainment and commercial content, and the Blue Network, which emphasised public service. GE had a 30% stake in NBC during this time. However, GE's involvement in television broadcasting truly took off in 1986 when the company acquired RCA for $6.28-$6.8 billion, setting a record for the largest non-oil merger in US history. The main attraction of this acquisition was the RCA-owned television network, NBC. GE was particularly interested in boosting its defence-related businesses and solidifying its domestic sales of consumer goods, an area where RCA excelled.

Under GE's ownership, NBC expanded its reach and influence. Between 2009 and 2013, GE held a 49% share of NBCUniversal, a joint venture with Comcast Corporation. NBCUniversal includes a television network that broadcasts to over 200 affiliated stations in the US, reaching 99% of American homes. The company also owns and operates ten television stations, including CNBC, MSNBC, and USA Network, and has a significant presence in the Spanish-language market through its ownership of Telemundo.

GE's influence in broadcasting and television extended beyond just NBC. In 1965, GE expanded its holdings to acquire more television stations, such as KOA-TV in Denver and WSIX-TV in Nashville, through subsidiaries like the General Electric Broadcasting Company. GE also played a role in the development of cable television, launching a franchise in Schenectady through its General Electric Cablevision Corporation subsidiary. While GE eventually sold off most of its broadcasting holdings, the company's impact on the industry has been significant, and it continues to be a major player in the world of media and entertainment through its involvement with NBCUniversal.

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GE's expansion and acquisitions

General Electric (GE) is an American multinational conglomerate founded in 1892. It has since expanded and diversified its business segments to include various fields such as aviation, healthcare, renewable energy, power, and finance. GE has grown into an institution in the industrial and technological markets, constantly creating new products and services, acquiring other companies, and striving for quality.

GE has a long history of innovation, starting with Edison's first commercially viable incandescent lamp. The company's earliest products included light bulbs, electric locomotives, X-ray machines, and electric stoves. Over the years, GE has expanded its product line to include aerospace, energy, healthcare, lighting, appliances, and finance.

In 1926, GE co-founded the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), which built two radio broadcasting networks. In 1930, GE was charged with antitrust violations and was ordered to divest itself of RCA. However, in 1965, GE expanded its holdings to acquire more television stations and cable holdings through subsidiaries. The company also owned television stations such as KOA-TV (now KCNC-TV) in Denver and WSIX-TV (now WKRN) in Nashville. In 1985, GE reacquired the RCA Corporation to gain ownership of the NBC television network.

GE has also made significant acquisitions in other industries. In 2001, GE announced its intention to acquire Honeywell Inc., but this was prohibited by the European Union due to competition concerns. Following the 2008 financial crisis, GE sold off many of its peripheral businesses, including GE Plastics, GE Transportation, and GE Appliances. The company also sold most of its financial operations and its last stake in NBCUniversal.

Despite these sales, GE continues to own and operate a diverse range of companies. Some of its notable subsidiaries include GE Energy Management Services, LLC, GE Capital, Baker Hughes, GE Packaged Power Inc., and Alstom. These subsidiaries are from the transportation, energy, and manufacturing industries. GE has also launched initiatives such as "Ecomagination" to develop clean technology and bring more green products to market.

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GE's sale of peripheral businesses

The General Electric Company (GE) is one of the oldest and largest industrial conglomerates in the US. It was founded by Thomas Edison in 1892 as the Edison General Electric Company. Over the years, GE has been responsible for major innovations such as Edison's first commercially viable incandescent lamp, the first American jet engine, the first commercial nuclear power plant, and the first synthetic diamonds.

GE has also diversified into various industries, including aviation, computers, plastics, banking, and television broadcasting. However, following the 2008 financial crisis, GE was forced to sell off many of its peripheral businesses. This was done to reduce significant levels of debt. The sales included:

  • GE Plastics to Saudi Arabia in 2007
  • GE Transportation to Wabtec
  • GE Appliances to Haier Group, a Chinese conglomerate, in 2016
  • Most of its financial operations to Wells Fargo and other banks
  • Its last stake in NBCUniversal to Comcast in 2014
  • $200 billion of GE Capital's assets, except for those used to fund core operations in aviation, energy, and healthcare

Despite these sales, GE still owns 49 companies, including GE Energy Management Services, LLC, GE Capital, Baker Hughes, GE Packaged Power Inc, and Alstom. These subsidiaries are primarily in the transportation, energy, and manufacturing industries. GE Capital is the most profitable subsidiary, while GE Energy Management Services, LLC is the largest. GE has also recently formed three public companies focused on aviation, healthcare, and energy.

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GE's focus on sustainability

General Electric (GE), founded by Thomas Edison in 1892, is one of the oldest industrial conglomerates in the US. Over the years, GE has ventured into various sectors, including banking, plastics, computers, and television broadcasting. Today, GE owns 49 companies, including GE Energy Management Services, LLC, GE Capital, Baker Hughes, GE Packaged Power Inc, and Alstom. These subsidiaries are primarily from the transportation, energy, and manufacturing industries.

GE has always been a leader in innovation, and sustainability is deeply rooted in all of its plans and priorities. The company's 2021 Sustainability Report outlines its commitment to building a world that works for tomorrow. GE's turbines, generators, and other equipment currently generate about a third of the world's electricity, and its grid systems help deliver it to millions of homes and businesses.

GE is actively working towards decarbonization and supporting its customers and governments in their efforts to do the same. The company is involved in projects focusing on breakthrough technologies that will be crucial in meeting global climate commitments by 2050. For instance, GE is supporting gas power plants running on hydrogen blends and is a part of a carbon-capture project in Alabama. Additionally, GE Aerospace is developing a hybrid electric propulsion system for flight tests in the 2020s, working towards the aviation industry's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Frequently asked questions

General Electric (GE) owns 49 companies, including GE Energy Management Services, LLC, GE Capital, Baker Hughes, GE Packaged Power Inc, and Alstom. These subsidiaries are from the transportation, energy, and manufacturing industries.

Following the 2008 financial crisis, GE sold off many of its peripheral businesses. Some examples include GE Plastics, GE Transportation, GE Appliances, and most of its financial operations.

The current business segments of General Electric are GE Aerospace, GE Healthcare, and GE Vernova. These segments focus on aerospace systems, medical technology, and sustainable energy solutions, respectively.

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