The giant Apple and glassmaker Corning have announced a historic partnership. As per the announcement, 100% of the cover glass for all iPhones and Apple Watches sold worldwide will now be made in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Apple’s investment of up to $2.5 billion in Corning’s will give a boost to their nearly two-decade long partnership.
The move by Apple will bring 100% of iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass manufacturing to Corning’s Harrodsburg, Kentucky facility. For the first time ever, Apple will manufacture all cover glass for its global devices in the U.S.
Apple’s American manufacturing
Apple is investing $2.5 billion into Corning’s plant to make this happen. The factory will be fully dedicated to producing glass just for Apple, which the company says will increase Corning’s Kentucky workforce by about 50%. Corning is also building what it claims will be the largest and most advanced smartphone glass production line in the world.
Apple’s future goal
This planned partnership with Corning is part of Apple’s broader goal to spend $600B in the U.S. over the next four years. The company’s new “American Manufacturing Program” aims to bring more of its production from glass to silicon chips to the U.S., instead of relying so heavily on overseas factories.
As per Apple’s CEO Tim Cook, “Corning is a storied American company, and we’re thrilled to work together to build the largest and most advanced production line ever created for smartphone glass.”
Built in Harrodsburg
The Corning’s facility in Harrodsburg has been a partner for Apple since its first iPhone in 2007. The facility will house the world’s largest and most advanced smartphone glass production line, dedicated entirely to Apple. With the investment of $2.5B, coming their way the facility is planning to increase the workforce by 50%. It will have a new Apple-Corning Innovation Center focused on developing next-gen materials and manufacturing technologies.
Apple has invested close to $500 million into this facility since 2017, but this is its biggest move yet.
Corning’s advanced materials are also playing a crucial role in Apple’s broader U.S. supply chain. This included the production of silicon wafers used in chip manufacturing. Corning CEO, Wendell Weeks noted that the latest investment marks a return of glass innovation to its original roots.
