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Sad but not unexpected news about GE

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by bwilson4web, Nov 10, 2017.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Full disclosure, I get a pension from GE for my 13 years.

    Source: GE's $100 Billion Wipeout Heralds Reckoning for an American Icon - Bloomberg

    In hindsight, the seeds of this struggle were planted decades ago. Welch expanded and reshaped GE with hundreds of acquisitions and demanded every GE unit be No. 1 or No. 2 in its industry. He also culled low-performers ruthlessly, earning the nickname Neutron Jack. By the time he retired, in 2001, GE’s market value had soared from less than $20 billion to almost $400 billion.

    But all that maneuvering, plus GE’s increasingly complex financial operations, obscured the underlying performance and put the company in peril during the 2008 financial crisis. Welch’s successor, Jeffrey Immelt, soon embarked on a plan to undo much of the House that Jack Built. He would sell NBC and most of the finance operations -- two of the businesses that defined Welch’s tenure -- along with units such as plastics and home-appliances.

    The moves narrowed GE’s focus, yet it remains a collection of somewhat disparate manufacturing businesses, ranging from jet engines to oilfield equipment.

    I was at GE Space Division when Jack Welch came in and remember the change and not fondly. Welch was a Trumpian personality and business practices.

    Bob Wilson
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    immelt sold the highly respected appliance division to the chinese. unforgivable.
     
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  3. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    "Welch was a Trumpian personality and business practices"

    They say abusive personalities sometimes do well in Corporate life, God only knows we had some too.

    Immelt bought a lot of Volts for GE, right? When Volts were first selling I never knew if it was consumer demand or fleet sales to GE etc.
     
    #3 wjtracy, Nov 10, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2017
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  4. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    I remember when GE bought RCA in 1985. There was a cartoon of Nipper catching a frisbee which was the GE logo.

    Earnings don't cover the dividend--and haven't for some time. So far, carving up the company hasn't been the road to prosperity so I doubt selling off more divisions will help. I don't believe Flannery has the backbone or the support to make the necessary cuts and changes. The 5 year low is $19.37 which shouldn't last much longer.

    It is a sad situation and I don't have any bright ideas.
     
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...and of course RCA was in South Jersey...so we miss them
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the company was flying high when welch called it a day. the stock price was never much to rave about, but it was a good blue chip with dividends.
     
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  7. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    RCA tore down the golf ball in Moorestown and replaced it with a cruiser's superstructure for AEGIS development. A friend's father used to work there, long since retired, but the facility is still staffed.
     
  8. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

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    As a consumer of GE appliances I'm not sad. We remodeled our kitchen in 2007 and went with GE Profile appliances. The circuit board in the microwave was toast in less than 4 years and despite it being a common problem the company told everyone, "Tough". Not even an offer to assist the customer with a discount on the expensive replacement part. That one part cost more than many entirely new microwaves from other name brands.They weren't even pleasant about it. The oven door had a small crack upon delivery; no replacement and no help was offered in dealing with the transport company which was thier choice to use. The dishwasher has a fan that at 3 years old quit turning off after the cycle; we have to push the "heated dry" button after the cycle to get it to turn off. Like the microwave we were told that was our problem. Guess what? With such poor quality and lack of customer service we took our problems elsewhere and gradually replaced them with other companies' products. No more GE for our household no matter who owns them.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe you can help me then. we are in the market for new appliances. we have had just about every make and brand except the high end stuff like wolfe, middle and sub zero.
    what has been working for you? all of ours continually break down after a few years and the best they can offer is; buy a maintenance policy.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    reading today that ge is dumping their light bulb division. there won't be much left when this guy is done.
     
  11. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

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    Can't really suggest too much other than our appliance repairman hinted to stay away from upper-end Samsung appliances because they are too complicated and difficult to repair. My best suggestion is to go with someone like Consumer Reports for advice and don't limit yourself to the same brand for every appliance. Some companies are better in some areas but not as strong in others.
     
  12. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

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    Double post. :(
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i get the same answer from the repair people. when looking in c/r for a refrigerator for example, the 'best' one is one particular model of one manufacturer.
    but they don't rate them on reliability and longevity.
    in my day, a refrigerator lasted as long as you wanted to keep it. now, the repairs begin in the first year, and after 5 years, they start recommending you buy a new one.
     
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  14. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    That’s sad, I still have a working vacuum cleaner from 1965.
     
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    zackily.
     
  16. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    If they have something you want, we have found ordering from the GE Outlet Store worthwhile. They sometimes sell last year’s models at a discount. They ship direct from the factory and setup in your home.

    Https://Www.geoutletstore.com
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks man!(y)
     
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  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    You’re welcome.
    Their stock varies which is why I stated “if they have what you want “.
     
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we're looking for a stove and fridge, i'll keep my eye on it. do they have a service program as well?
     
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  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Not sure.
     
  21. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    I just buy whatever is cheapest and it lasts decades.