The new business-to-business marketplace will allow major airlines and military customers to buy and sell parts on the Internet, said Rick Kennedy, a spokesman for the company. Kennedy, who did not disclose any further details, also said GE has already partnered with key airline companies and giant subcontractors to participate in the marketplace.
The Fairfield, Conn.-based company has been busy moving along with its Internet strategy. Yesterday, the manufacturing giant unveiled the GE Financial Network, a Web site that offers consumers financial services such as investing in mutual funds or applying for mortgages. The company plans to deliver other targeted Web sites and services in the upcoming year.
GE isn't the first manufacturer to jump into the emerging business-to-business space, a market that analysts project to reach the trillion-dollar mark or beyond in three years. Other business-to-business marketplaces have been sprouting up, targeting specific industries, including chemical manufacturing, auto manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. General Motors, Ford, Dupont and Chevron have all recently announced their intentions to participate in an online marketplace and have partnered with vendors Ariba, Commerce One and Oracle, which make software that lets users buy and sell everything from office equipment to maintenance supplies and services online.
For its new Web site, GE has partnered with Rockville, Md.-based SpaceWorks, which helped the company design and build the site. SpaceWorks' software is targeted to business suppliers, automating specific business-to-business activities over the Web, such as personalized marketing, interactive guided selling, bill presentment and payment, post-sales service and online customer support
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