GE Healthcare to relocate X-ray division to China

GE Healthcare, a maker of diagnostic imaging equipment, today said it is moving its X-ray global headquarters along with its management team from the US to China, a move designed to tap business in the world's second largest economy.

GE Healthcare Global X-ray will be the first unit of the $150 billion Connecticut-based multinational conglomerate to relocate to China.

Anne LeGrand, vice president and general manager at GE Healthcare Global X-Ray, is relocating to Beijing from Waukesha, Wisconsin near Milwaukee along with several executives, including the chief financial officer and chief marketing officer, LeGrand said at a news conference in the Chinese capital.

The move follows GE's announcement last year that it plans to invest $2 billion through 2012 in China including $500 million in six research centres to better serve the west, north, central and south China markets. (See: GE commits $2 bn to R&D, tech development in China)

GE X-ray will hire over 65 new engineers and supporting staff at a new facility in Chengdu. GE X-ray's presence in China - including the advanced Chengdu Customer Innovation Centre - will exceed 200 research and development professionals across China.

"As a global business, we are focused on driving X-ray beyond traditional boundaries to deliver unique solutions to our customers," said LeGrand. "Moving GE X-Ray's global headquarters to China will help make the business more nimble and responsive while continuing to strengthen our local focus and grow our global footprint," he added.