Legos and GE

When you think Legos - - children and Christmas come to mind.  Also think of GE.  Batesville, Mississippi is the home to a new 300,000 square foot plant that makes strong, lightweight composite parts for a new generation of more fuel-efficient jet engines.  It represents the confluence of materials science, high-tech machinery, and hand craftsmanship.

For each job at Batesville,GE has 30 applicants.  The plant is organized in "high performance teams," with a bottoms up orientation and approach.  Line workers are called "production associates" with starting salaries around $35,000 a year.  To get hired at the Batesville plant, applicants must first take a reading, math, and problem-solving test administered by the state employment agency.  Candidates who do well are then invited for interviews at the plant and are evaluated in team settings.  For example, they are placed in groups of four and told to assemble a Lego helicopter in 15 minutes - - the goal being to see how well individuals interact and work together.

GE Batesville Plant Information