Apple has announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Corning Incorporated, committing $2.5 billion to produce all cover glass for iPhones and Apple Watches at Corning’s Harrodsburg, Kentucky facility. This initiative marks the first time that 100% of the cover glass for these devices will be manufactured in the United States.
A Strengthened Partnership
The collaboration between Apple and Corning dates back to the launch of the original iPhone in 2007, when Corning’s glass was first used for the device’s screen. Over the years, this partnership has evolved, leading to innovations like the Ceramic Shield, introduced with the iPhone 12, which offers enhanced durability. The new investment will enable Corning to dedicate its entire Harrodsburg facility to Apple, creating the world’s largest and most advanced smartphone glass production line. This expansion is expected to increase Corning’s manufacturing and engineering workforce in Kentucky by 50%.
Establishing the Apple-Corning Innovation Center
In addition to ramping up production, Apple and Corning plan to establish a new Apple-Corning Innovation Center at the Harrodsburg plant. This center will focus on developing advanced materials and next-generation manufacturing platforms for future Apple products, ensuring that both companies remain at the forefront of technological advancements in glass manufacturing.
Part of a Broader U.S. Investment Strategy
This $2.5 billion commitment is a component of Apple’s broader plan to invest $600 billion in the U.S. economy over the next four years. This strategy includes the newly announced American Manufacturing Program (AMP), which aims to invest across the country and incentivize global companies to onshore production and manufacture more of Apple’s critical components within the United States. By strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, Apple seeks to bolster the U.S. economy and create high-quality jobs.
Statements from Leadership
Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, 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. Thanks to the power of American manufacturing, any customer anywhere in the world who buys a new iPhone or Apple Watch will be holding precision glass made right here in Kentucky. We’re grateful to the President and his administration for their support for American manufacturing, and we’re excited for the innovation this investment will unlock.
Corning CEO Wendell Weeks highlighted the significance of the collaboration, saying, Apple is an amazing partner for American manufacturers like us, and together, we’ve innovated and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. We developed and made the glass for the very first iPhone in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, 18 years ago. With this new multibillion-dollar commitment from Apple and the lighting of our most advanced manufacturing platform, we are hiring more people and bringing 100 percent of Apple’s cover glass needs for iPhone and Apple Watch to the original home of the innovation.
Economic and Employment Impact
The investment is expected to have a substantial economic impact on the Harrodsburg community and the state of Kentucky. By dedicating the entire facility to Apple, Corning plans to increase its manufacturing and engineering workforce in Kentucky by 50%. This expansion will create numerous high-quality jobs and contribute to the local economy. Additionally, the establishment of the Apple-Corning Innovation Center will attract top talent and foster innovation in the region.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
Corning’s Harrodsburg facility has a rich history of innovation, having produced the glass for the very first iPhone in 2007. This new investment signifies a full-circle moment, as the facility will now handle all of Apple’s global demand for cover glass, including the toughened Ceramic Shield used in current models. The partnership between Apple and Corning has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in glass manufacturing, and this latest investment ensures that both companies will continue to lead the industry in the years to come.
Conclusion
Apple’s $2.5 billion investment in Corning’s Kentucky facility underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing and supporting the U.S. economy. By producing all iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass in the United States, Apple and Corning are not only enhancing the quality and durability of their products but also creating jobs and fostering innovation. This partnership serves as a model for how collaboration between leading technology companies and American manufacturers can drive economic growth and technological advancement.
