GE's new CEO under pressure to overhaul company amid decades-long slide

New York

GENERAL Electric Co's new boss has barely uttered a word in public during his first two months on the job. But chief executive officer John Flannery is already signalling his intention to forge one of the most sweeping makeovers in the company's 125-year history.

The beleaguered manufacturer added an activist shareholder to the board on Monday, three days after announcing the exit of a trio of senior executives. Mr Flannery is weighing changes to a portfolio that includes jet engines, locomotives and gas turbines. He is also cutting corporate jets and company cars as part of an existing plan to trim US$2 billion in costs by the end of 2018.