GE Lighting: automotive light-sources from Hungary
The automotive division of GE Lightning is engaged in the production of vehicle headlights and tail lights in three cities in Hungary.
Hungary plays an important role in the company's activity, which is illustrated by the fact that the centres for automotive lighting development, distribution, product management and global OEM excellence are all located in Hungary.
One third of the production volume is delivered to OEMs, while the other two thirds of GE's lamps are sold as aftermarket products.
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| H4 halogen lamp |
20 years and 100 million USD investment in Hungary
Hungarian lamp manufacturing celebrated its 110th birthday in 2011, as the predecessor of Tungsram, United Bulb Plc. (Egyesült Izzó Rt.), was founded at the turn of the millennium. We could almost say that the company has been engaged in the manufacturing of light-sources since Thomas Edison invented the filament.
GE bought the majority voting share in Tungsram in 1989, which it later extended to 100 percent. In the last two decades GE invested hundreds of millions of USD in the Hungarian units of its lighting division, reported GE.
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| GE plant in Budapest |
The American market – like in many other respects – is somewhat different from the rest of the world. This is why GE's automotive division has production facilities in Hungary and the U.S. as well. In the latter the company manufactures products for the special requirements of its American customers. The global market is supplied by the company's three Hungarian plants in Nagykanizsa, Kisvárda and Budapest.
We find a wide range of products for the automotive industry. Besides halogen lights and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, LED technology is gaining more and more ground.
Hungarian inventors with over 150 patents
United Bulbs Plc. founded Europe's first industrial research laboratory in 1921, which still operates today as GE Lighting's global technology centre, where Hungarian engineers are developing the next generation of light-sources building on the tradition and know-how of the last 100 years. Since 1990, Hungarian inventors have registered over 150 patents.
Today GE Lighting is one of the world's largest lamp manufacturer. GE Lighting is present in Hungary with six plants in five different cities. The company's EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) regional centre and global technology centre are both located in Budapest. The division employs over 6,000 people in Hungary. 98 percent of the Hungarian production of GE Lighting is exported to European, Middle Eastern and African markets.
Hungarian team of 160
At the technological centre 160 engineers are working on the development of the light-sources of the future. GE Lighting operates seven manufacturing units, six of which are located in Hungary. 95 of the brand's global products are manufactured in Hungary. The domestic plants are all operating in accordance with the ISO/TS & ISO 14001 standard.
GE Lighting supplies the global automotive industry indirectly through Tier 1 lamp manufacturers. The company produces a wide range of products at its Hungarian production units. Its product portfolio includes halogen, HID and indicator lamps.
GE Lighting pays special attention to the development of lamps on the basis of the "to see and to be seen" principle. These lamps are approved by the majority of the world's automotive manufacturers, who build them into their vehicles.
The domestic branch boasts an experienced engineering team, a product support service and a laboratory that complies with the highest requirements.
