# GE Appliances earns Fast Company innovation workplace award **Published:** 2026-09-09T16:56:13.000Z **Source:** [Lane Report (KY Business)](https://www.lanereport.com/189348/2026/09/ge-appliances-named-one-of-fast-companys-best-workplaces-for-innovators/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/ge-appliances-earns-fast-company-innovation-workplace-award LOUISVILLE, Ky. — [GE Appliances](https://geappliancesco.com/), a [Haier company based at Appliance Park, has been named one of Fast Company's 2026 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators](https://www.lanereport.com/189348/2026/09/ge-appliances-named-one-of-fast-companys-best-workplaces-for-innovators/), the company announced this week. The appliance manufacturer also received recognition in the publication's Skilled Laborers category, which honors companies that encourage skilled workers to use technical expertise to develop new products and solve workplace challenges. Fast Company's annual Best Workplaces for Innovators program recognizes organizations that create cultures where employees develop ideas and turn them into business improvements. "Innovation isn't something that's handed down from the top," said Kevin Nolan, president and CEO of GE Appliances. "It happens every day when people see a better way and have the confidence and support to do something about it." [Appliance Park, GE Appliances' sprawling manufacturing complex and corporate headquarters in Louisville](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Appliance_Park), employs more than 1,600 engineers working in hardware, software and digital technologies. More than 1,000 employees hold at least one approved patent, with several holding more than 50 patents and one inventor credited with 119. The company operates [FirstBuild, a microfactory and co-creation community where engineers work with designers and the public to develop and prototype new products](https://www.lanereport.com/189348/2026/09/ge-appliances-named-one-of-fast-companys-best-workplaces-for-innovators/). GE Appliances also launched an AI Lab in 2025, making AI environments available to 100 percent of its nonproduction workforce. The recognition comes as [GE Appliances continues expanding U.S. manufacturing operations, recently announcing a $490 million investment at Appliance Park](https://newkentuckyhome.ky.gov/Newsroom/NewsPage/20250626_GEAppliances). The company has committed billions of dollars to domestic operations, investing in new manufacturing technology intended to give employees additional tools to improve processes on the factory floor. GE Appliances is one of Kentucky's most significant manufacturers. [The Louisville location includes more than 6,500 employees and five manufacturing facilities operating on 750 acres](https://geappliancesco.com/about-us). ## Sources - [Lane Report (KY Business)](https://www.lanereport.com/189348/2026/09/ge-appliances-named-one-of-fast-companys-best-workplaces-for-innovators/) - [Wikipedia article on GE Appliance Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Appliance_Park) - [Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development article on GE Appliances' $490 million investment](https://newkentuckyhome.ky.gov/Newsroom/NewsPage/20250626_GEAppliances) - [GE Appliances corporate website about the company](https://geappliancesco.com/about-us) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Lane Report (KY Business), enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://www.lanereport.com/189348/2026/09/ge-appliances-named-one-of-fast-companys-best-workplaces-for-innovators/.