The Chairman and CEO of General Electric says he expects the company will sell or spin off its Louisville-based appliance division in early 2009, and possibly sooner.Company head Jeff Immelt says a transaction would likely occur during the first quarter of next year, but it could move faster if market conditions are right."This is a preeminent brand, it's a preeminent asset, it has the highest operating profit rate in the world. you've got a time when the dollar is weak and other currencies are strong. Most of the potential buyers are outside the United States, " Immelt said.He spoke Wednesday at a company conference in Florida that was streamed on GE's website.He says GE is looking carefully at the possibility of spinning off the appliance business into a separate shareholder entity.About five thousand people work at the company's Appliance Park in Louisville.
Rick Howlett is host of WFPL's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." Email Rick at rhowlett@lpm.org.