Latest news with #GE
Borneo Post
5 hours ago
- Science
- Borneo Post
3D printing: A new horizon for local economy
Dr. Chua Bih Lii In year 2006, the movie 'Mission: Impossible III' featured a 3D printed mask fabricated based on a 3D scan of Phillip Hoffman's character for Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt to wear. The three-dimensional (3D) printing has leapt from science fiction to factory floors and even into our homes during the last decades. This transformative technology has enabled people from students to surgeons, to produce objects with unprecedented ease and customization. From Bones to Buildings: Real-World Wonders One of the most impactful applications of 3D printing is in the medical field. Doctors today use 3D-printed titanium plates and polymer-based splints for complex fractures such as skull and hip, improving recovery and comfort. The field of organ printing is pushing scientific boundaries even further. Researchers have successfully printed human tissues like liver and skin using bio-inks made from living cells experimentally, paving the way for future on-demand organ replacements. In aerospace, companies like General Electric (GE) have been printing fuel nozzles for jet engine that are 25% lighter and five times more durable than conventionally manufactured ones. In space exploration, an American aerospace startup, has successfully launched a rocket made almost entirely from 3D-printed components in 2023, cutting down production time from years to weeks. In the culinary world, 3D-printed food is transforming how meals are made. Machines can now print chocolate, pasta and plant-based meats. In Bristol, scientists have developed 3D-printed meals with customized textures and nutrition for patients with dysphagia, a medical condition that makes swallowing difficult. On the larger scale, construction firms in the Netherlands, China and Dubai have completed full-scale buildings using giant 3D concrete printers. This technology offers potential solutions to housing shortages by reducing labour and material costs significantly. Accessible Technology for All The widespread availability of 3D printers today is largely thanks to the expiration of two major patents: fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography apparatus (SLA). These advancements have driven down the cost of printers and opened the doors to schools, universities and hobbyists. Technically known as 'additive manufacturing', 3D printing works by adding material layer by layer to build a 3D object directly from a digital file. This stands in contrast to traditional subtractive and formative manufacturing, which relies on cutting, drilling, molding and forging materials into shape. There are seven distinct additive manufacturing processes defined by the ISO standard. FDM is the most affordable form of 3D printing. It works by melting a thermoplastic filament and extruding it through a heated nozzle. The printer lays down the material layer by layer on a build platform, where it cools and solidifies. Meanwhile, SLA uses a laser or ultraviolet (UV) light to cure liquid resin at high precision and result in smooth finishes, making them ideal for dental models, jewellery and intricate figurines. The future of 3D printing lies beyond basic plastic. High-performance materials such as PEKK, ULTEM, ceramics, metal powders and carbon-fiber composites are now being used for functional industrial parts, from aerospace components to surgical tools. These materials opening new frontiers in engineering by offering greater strength, heat resistance, and biocompatibility. Advantages of 3D Printing Common 3D printers based on FDM and SLA. Unlike conventional manufacturing, which often wastes materials through cutting and shaping, 3D printing uses only the amount of material needed. Additionally, it allows manufacturing on demand, eliminating the need for large inventories or overseas shipping. This has enabled many home business startups during the Covid-19. From the perspective of engineering, the design freedom given by the 3D printing is unmatched. Complex geometries and custom features designed by engineers can be printed directly without special tools or molds. Malaysia's Growing 3D Printing Economy 3D printed model of working jet engine and building. In Malaysia, innovative individuals and startups are already turning 3D printing into profitable ventures. For instance, a Penang-based entrepreneur produces custom-fit insoles and orthotics using foot scans and 3D printers. In Kuala Lumpur, a company creates architectural models for developers. Besides, a company in Selangor designs and prints 3D implants for hospitals. Several companies offer design and printing services for production jigs, inspection fixtures, and prototypes. Meanwhile, small home-bound businesses offer personalized 3D-printed home decors and gifts, such as designers' lamps, photo frames, nameplates and toys, through online platforms. Can Sabah Benefits from the 3D Printing Revolution? Sabah's economy traditionally relies on tourism, agriculture, oil and gas, and manufacturing. The 3D printing can help to complement the existing economic sector by providing diversified options and modernization of the local industry. Entrepreneurs can make products with local motifs. Tourists may soon bring home personalized souvenirs with native designs, unique pots and sculptures using sustainable plastic. Moving forward, it can be marketed worldwide via online platforms. Local artisans and film studios can make fantastical art pieces and iconic mask using 3D printing technology to support the creative industry, just like Marvel did for Black Panther, Deadpool and Iron Man. Local workshops can reproduce rare or discontinued machine parts for factories and plantations. The development of 3D printing industry in Sabah will help to support the regional needs of critical components. For example, Shell Jurong Island, a dedicated chemical manufacturing facility in Singapore is able to replace their critical heat exchanger parts by engaging 3D metal printing technology that delivers within two weeks manufacturing lead time. Besides, 3D printed molds, jigs and fixtures can support the needs of local manufacturers. Engineers can innovate new tools, components and customized machines for agricultural industries, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Several examples include 3D printed fruit pluckers, impellers and small machineries. Talents for the Transformation To drive this digital transformation, we need a new generation of entrepreneurs and problem-solvers who can creatively apply 3D printing. They will spearhead Malaysia's future innovations. Equally vital are 3D part designers, who must be adept in computer-aided design (CAD), finite element simulation, and structural optimization. They, with mechanical engineering background, will translate ideas and concepts into printable reality. Design strategies and production planning are needed for large quantity and quality production. Material engineers play a key role in developing and refining printable materials that meet various industrial standards, in term of strength, safety, or sustainability. Finally, mechanical and manufacturing engineers are needed to integrate 3D printing innovations into traditional production lines for improving quality control, efficiency and productivity. They are responsible from material selections to the in-house 3D printed product qualification to ensure the printed components are suitable. Conclusion With internet access and open-source platforms, all parts of Malaysia shall be able to participate in the global digital manufacturing movement. By embracing 3D printing, states like Sabah can bridge the technological divide with industrial states and create a uniquely local version of Industry 4.0. Ir. Dr. Chua Bih Lii is a senior lecturer at Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. He is also Sabah Branch Chairman of Technological Association Malaysia
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Elon Musk's DOGE: A Jack Welch Tactic That Could Break America
Musk's efficiency-fueled crusade mirrors Jack Welch's approach to managing GE—and that didn't go well. Elon Musk stepped into the Trump administration wielding a metaphorical chainsaw, promising to slash $2 trillion from federal spending through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). After 130 days, DOGE claimed $160 billion in savings—far short of his $2 trillion goal. But the real story isn't about disappointing arithmetic. It's about how Musk took a page from Jack Welch's playbook—a management philosophy that initially dazzled Wall Street but ultimately destroyed one of America's most iconic companies. Jack Welch, GE's legendary CEO from 1981 to 2001, pioneered what became known as "rank-and-yank"—forcing managers to fire the bottom 10% of employees annually, regardless of the often-immeasurable ways they contributed to their teams and the organization. His approach was seductively simple: systematically eliminate the weakest performers, and the organization automatically becomes stronger. Musk has applied this same logic to the federal government, orchestrating layoffs affecting more than 280,000 federal workers and contractors in over 30 agencies—potentially the largest mass layoff in U.S. history. Both leaders shared an obsession with dramatic, visible cuts. Welch earned the nickname "Neutron Jack" for eliminating over 100,000 people while leaving buildings intact. Musk's Musk literally brandished a chainsaw at the Conservative Political Action Conference, declaring it his tool for cutting bureaucracy. That's where 'Chainsaw Elon' channelled 'Neutron Jack.' Both Musk and Welch were trained as technicians: Musk in physics, engineering and economics, Welch in engineering. Both applied their technical skills to complex challenges, treating them as simple mathematical problems: subtract the "inefficient" parts, and performance automatically improves. Initially, both approaches appeared brilliant. Under Welch, GE's revenues grew five-fold from $26.8 billion to $130 billion, earning him Fortune magazine's "Manager of the Century" title in 1999. Business school professors were teaching GE as the gold standard. Companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Goldman Sachs were adopting similar forced-ranking systems, believing they too could mirror similar results. Musk's early DOGE victories were similarly lauded. The promise of streamlined government resonated with efficiency-minded executives and frustrated taxpayers alike. But Welch's approach contained a fundamental error that Musk is now repeating at a national scale. They assumed that by optimizing the individual components of an organization, they would optimize the whole system—what academics call an "atomistic fallacy. They treated organizations like machines where one can simply remove "inefficient" parts without considering the complex web of relationships, institutional knowledge, and collaborative dynamics that actually drive performance. At Microsoft, the forced-ranking system created internal warfare. One engineer reflected: "One of the most valuable things I learned was to give the appearance of being courteous while withholding just enough information from colleagues to ensure they didn't get ahead of me on the rankings." It was during this time that Microsoft lost ground to Apple and Google as employees focused on competing with their internal colleagues, rather than innovating with colleagues to beat the external competition. Musk's cuts reveal similar systemic blindness. After Musk fired about 1,000 park rangers, educators, and maintenance staff, he undermined the National Parks Service's ability to admit visitors, manage their safety, and prepare for and put out wildfires. All of these raise risks, add costs, and diminish revenues. Ed Welch, the 27-year ranger at Independence National Historical Park and President of AFGE Local 2058, put it starkly 'we aren't cogs, we're human beings.' Elon Musk, like Jack Welch, failed to understand how complex organizations work and the engines to their success. Both leaders fell into a measurement trap—believing that complex human contributions can be captured through simple metrics. Welch's forced rankings couldn't measure mentorship, collaboration, or innovation—the very capabilities that drive long-term organizational success. As well, it's easy to make mistake with numbers. There's the fact that the numbers are highly disputed. DOGE's claimed $160 billion in savings, but the Partnership for Public Service estimate that the cuts will actually cost taxpayers $135 billion this fiscal year due to productivity losses, rehiring mistakes, and operational disruptions. Further, DOGE's "wall of receipts" reveals the measurement problem in stark detail: while claiming $115 billion in savings, only $35 billion could actually be itemized. This was partly attributable to simple errors, including a contract erroneously listed at $8 billion that was actually worth $8 million. This isn't just sloppy accounting—it shows how easily numbers can be manipulated, made up, or simply mistaken. The real test of Welch's philosophy came after his departure. Despite GE's apparent success under his leadership, the company that emerged was fragile and over-leveraged. His successor, Jeffrey Immelt, inherited what looked like a powerhouse but was actually a hollowed-out shell optimized for short-term financial performance. During Immelt's 16-year tenure, GE's stock fell over 30%, representing roughly $150 billion in lost shareholder value. By 2021, GE announced it would split up the conglomerate into three separate companies—essentially dismantling Welch's empire entirely. The pattern is unmistakable: Welch's efficiency-first approach created the illusion of organizational health while systematically destroying the institutional knowledge, collaborative networks, and adaptive capacity that enable long-term resilience. The real impact of his work will only be known in the future. Musk could experience the same catastrophic outcome as Welch's GE strategy—short-term "efficiency" that destroys long-term capability. Culling IRS auditors, dismissing cancer researchers at the VA, and gutting cybersecurity staff might look efficient on a spreadsheet, but it dismantles decades of accumulated expertise and institutional memory. Unlike a private company, government failure has consequences that extend far beyond shareholders. Researchers estimate that without U.S. global health programs, an additional 1 million children will be infected with HIV over the next five years, with 500,000 dying from AIDS and 2.8 million becoming orphaned. These are expressed as numbers that appeal to technicians, like Musk, but they mask the costs to people. Pain can't be expressed by spreadsheets and balance sheets. Each person's pain is just one spark that can smoulder into a wildfire that erodes the very foundations of society. Efficiency-based cuts for a government are so much more costly for a government than a corporation. Whereas Welch could sell his lighting plant to another firm, the government does not sell the service to another firm. The government simply shutters the activity. When the National Park Service and Veteran Affairs are gutted, they will be gone for good. Musk is familiar with deep cuts in organization. His DOGE chainsaw simply mirrored the the theatrics of the kitchen sink he carried after he bought Twitter. The similarities do not end there. He applied his efficiency-first philosophy to Twitter, firing more than 6,000 Twitter employees--constituting around 80% of its workforce. Several departments were critically understaffed and staff morale critically damaged. Fidelity, which helped finance Musk's Twitter acquisition, now values X at 72% of the $44 million Musk paid. U.S. advertising revenue continues to remain at about 50% of pre-Musk days. Even Musk recognizes the challenges ahead. In a leaked email to The Wall Street Journal, Musk told X staff that 'Our user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and we're barely breaking even.' Musk officially stepped down from DOGE on May 28, 2025, as his 130-day limit as a special government employee expired. But the damage may already be done. He had optimized for short-term metrics while systematically dismantling the government's long-term capabilities. It might take years to see the effects of these cuts, but by then, it will be hard to know on whom to pin the blame. There is one important lesson from Musk and Welch's strategies: complex systems—whether corporations or governments—cannot be optimized like machines. They require understanding of relationships, context, and emergent properties that simple efficiency metrics miss entirely. Musk may not be around to suffer the long-term costs of his cuts, but Americans most certainly will be.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
GE Aerospace (GE): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on GE Aerospace (GE) on Asymmetric Ventures' Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on GE. GE Aerospace (GE)'s share was trading at $241.78 as of 27th May. GE's trailing and forward P/E were 38.14 and 43.29 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. A huge in-process machining center producing parts for aircraft and aerospace systems. GE Aerospace is a leading force in the aerospace industry, primarily generating revenue through its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. This segment benefits from a large installed base of engines and Power-by-the-Hour contracts, which provide customers with predictable costs and GE with stable, recurring income. The company's extensive global network of service centers and highly trained workforce enable rapid and efficient engine servicing, reinforcing its market dominance. Programs such as TrueChoice™ and TrueEngine™ enhance customer loyalty by allowing flexible maintenance options and improving engine performance and residual value. Additionally, GE Aerospace leverages advanced predictive maintenance technology that utilizes real-time data to anticipate engine issues, reducing downtime and lowering maintenance costs for clients. The firm maintains significant competitive advantages due to high barriers to entry, including complex engineering expertise, regulatory certifications, and long-term relationships with major aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. These partnerships give GE Aerospace exclusive access to key engine programs, securing a near-monopoly in several market segments. The company also benefits from a strong aftermarket position, with customers relying on GE for life-cycle support of their engines. Under CEO Larry Culp's leadership, GE Aerospace has focused on operational efficiency, innovation, and strategic portfolio management, helping the division navigate challenges like supply chain disruptions and rising competition. Its robust balance sheet and steady cash flows position it well for ongoing investment in technology and growth initiatives. Overall, GE Aerospace stands as a financially solid, technologically advanced leader with durable competitive moats, well poised for sustainable long-term growth in the commercial aviation market. For a deeper look into another aerospace stock, be sure to check out our article on The Boeing Company (BA) wherein we summarized a bullish thesis by DeepValue on Substack. Since our coverage, the stock is up 11.12%. GE Aerospace (GE) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 104 hedge fund portfolios held GE at the end of the first quarter which was 101 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of GE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than GE but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India searches for partners beyond US to build fighter jet engines
India is engaging with manufacturers from at least three other countries for jointly making fighter jet engines, expanding its defense partnerships beyond the US as it seeks to close capability gaps amid rising regional tensions, according to people familiar with the matter. The engines being considered are from the UK, France and Japan and India wants to start the project quickly, senior officials said, asking not to be named as discussions are private. The offers will be evaluated by the Defense Research and Development Organisation — India's military research body —they added. The London-based defense manufacturing giant Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC offered to jointly produce and transfer technology to India during a visit by senior defense ministry officials to the UK in April, according to one of the officials. Talks with Safran SA also gathered momentum as the Paris-based aerospace company is open to transferring technology and sharing intellectual property rights, the people said. Japan made a similar offer in May, they said, without indicating a possible partner. India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart in New Delhi earlier this month, outlining potential areas of collaboration, including tank and aero engine development. India's Ministry of External Affairs, along with the defense ministries of both India and Japan, did not respond to requests for comment. The companies mentioned in the story also did not reply to queries. The engines will power India's twin-engine fighters that are under development, the people said, adding the Ministry of Defence will move to get government clearance soon. India has been seeking to modernize its air force through the purchase of jet fighters from overseas and bringing production to within its borders through joint projects with leading weapons makers from abroad. Earlier this week, India for the first time allowed domestic private firms to design and develop advanced warplanes to replace its aging, mostly Russian-made fleet. The South Asian nation has also been in talks with Boston-based General Electric since 2023 to jointly make GE F414 engines but the talks are taking longer than expected. India had imposed penalties on GE last year for severe delays in the delivery of engines that power the country's locally-made single-jet fighters. India's Air Force Chief AP Singh warned at an industry event Thursday that delays in procuring critical weapons pose a serious challenge to national defense readiness. 'Not for a single project that I can think of that been completed on time,' he said, emphasizing the need for India to design, develop, and produce weapons domestically in sufficient numbers. Joint manufacturing of jet engines with the US is part of a wider effort to deepen bilateral defense cooperation. India's decision to look beyond Washington for critical technologies should not be seen as a sign of strained ties with the US, but rather as evidence of its focus on securing reliable supply chains. Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been trying to ramp up domestic defense production to reduce the costs of imports and generate jobs at home.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
GE Aerospace (GE): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on GE Aerospace (GE) on Asymmetric Ventures' Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on GE. GE Aerospace (GE)'s share was trading at $241.78 as of 27th May. GE's trailing and forward P/E were 38.14 and 43.29 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. A huge in-process machining center producing parts for aircraft and aerospace systems. GE Aerospace is a leading force in the aerospace industry, primarily generating revenue through its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. This segment benefits from a large installed base of engines and Power-by-the-Hour contracts, which provide customers with predictable costs and GE with stable, recurring income. The company's extensive global network of service centers and highly trained workforce enable rapid and efficient engine servicing, reinforcing its market dominance. Programs such as TrueChoice™ and TrueEngine™ enhance customer loyalty by allowing flexible maintenance options and improving engine performance and residual value. Additionally, GE Aerospace leverages advanced predictive maintenance technology that utilizes real-time data to anticipate engine issues, reducing downtime and lowering maintenance costs for clients. The firm maintains significant competitive advantages due to high barriers to entry, including complex engineering expertise, regulatory certifications, and long-term relationships with major aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. These partnerships give GE Aerospace exclusive access to key engine programs, securing a near-monopoly in several market segments. The company also benefits from a strong aftermarket position, with customers relying on GE for life-cycle support of their engines. Under CEO Larry Culp's leadership, GE Aerospace has focused on operational efficiency, innovation, and strategic portfolio management, helping the division navigate challenges like supply chain disruptions and rising competition. Its robust balance sheet and steady cash flows position it well for ongoing investment in technology and growth initiatives. Overall, GE Aerospace stands as a financially solid, technologically advanced leader with durable competitive moats, well poised for sustainable long-term growth in the commercial aviation market. For a deeper look into another aerospace stock, be sure to check out our article on The Boeing Company (BA) wherein we summarized a bullish thesis by DeepValue on Substack. Since our coverage, the stock is up 11.12%. GE Aerospace (GE) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 104 hedge fund portfolios held GE at the end of the first quarter which was 101 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of GE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than GE but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
