Synergy and innovation: focus for GE Innovation Day

GE recently hosted its ‘GE Innovation Day’ in Manila, bringing together more than 200 key customers, local universities and state representatives.

The showcase was specifically designed to demonstrate how GE works through innovation and ‘co-creation’ with local partners to nurture economic development and long term sustainability.

The Philippines was GE’s entry point into the Asean region going as far back as the 1890s when the Thomas Houston Electric Company installed the first electric street lights on Real Street in Manila. In recent years, GE has seen its business grow steadily primarily in energy, aviation, healthcare and lighting.

GE vice chair and president/CEO of its Global Growth and Operations John Rice launched GE Innovation Day. Anchored on the theme “Making the World Work Better through Synergy and Innovation,” the key initiative underscored the company’s long-standing commitment of sharing best practices with customers and other stakeholders and collaborating with them on local innovation.

Emphasis was on future advanced technology designed to meet local challenges and customer needs underlining the company’s role as an innovative partner for growth in the Philippines. On display were interactive exhibits of GE’s innovative solutions and technologies that impact various industries. Some of the innovative solutions highlighted were GE Healthcare’s V-Scan—a handheld, pocket-sized visualization tool powered by ultrasound technology, GE Mac 1600 ECG machine, as well as the GE Giraffe Incubator and Radiant Warmer. There was also the display of GE electric meters, including the single phase smart meter and a mock-up of the GE Jenbacher engine and GE Hybrid Locomotive.

GE leaders and key customers participated in discussions on the role of GE as a strategic partner in nation-building. Guest speakers included Trade Undersecretary Tito Panlilio; Dr. Bartosz Wojszczyk, marketing director of GE Energy Management; Tony Valdez, Meralco’s VP and head of marketing;  Andy Licaros, president and CEO of Asian Hospital; Tommy Tan, director of government affairs and policy, GE Healthcare Asean; and Ditas Alipao, country product manager, GE Lighting Philippines.