MATTOON, Ill. (AP) — General Electric Co. says it will add more than 150 jobs at three factories in Illinois and Ohio to meet what the company says is increased demand for alternatives to traditional incandescent light bulbs. Part of that includes a new deal with Walmart.
The company said in a news release Thursday that it will add 70 jobs in Bucyrus, Ohio, east of Mansfield, and 50 in Circleville, Ohio, south of Columbus. GE will add another 30 jobs at a Mattoon, Ill., plant that makes halogen bulb components.
GE said it has reached an agreement with Walmart to stock bulbs from the three plants. Extra production will begin next year.
The company says demand for the bulbs has been unexpectedly high as incandescent bulbs are phased out through federally mandated energy-efficiency requirements.