Terre Haute plant swept in with GE acquisition

A Terre Haute plant that makes gas turbine components is part of a $4.8 billion acquisition of its British parent announced this morning by General Electric Co.

Connecticut-based GE said it wants the parent, Smiths Aerospace, for its electronic and mechanical products in order to improve its commercial and military jet engines and services.

The Terre Haute plant, which operated independently as Tri-Industries until it was sold to Smiths in 2000, employs more than 300. In December 2005, it announced a $6.5 million expansion that added a chemical milling process to cut weight and improve strength of the parts it fabricates.