Apple is strengthening its long running partnership with glassmaker Corning by investing an additional $2.5 billion which is around Rs 21,900 crore, into their Harrodsburg base in Kentucky. The main goal of this investment is to bring about all the cover glass manufacturing for iPhones and Apple Watches, making it the first time these components will be fully produced in the United States for global distribution.
Apple has come up with a strong plan to strengthen the U.S with a vast force to bring more of its manufacturing supply chain back to the U.S and turn down the dependency on overseas production. The Harrodsburg plant will witness an important growth in workforce, and the new Apple Corning Innovation Centre at the site will focus on developing next-generation glass technologies likely playing a key role in future devices.
Why Apple choose Kentucky’s Harrodsburg plant?
Apple’s only plan is not to provide local employment but also strengthen Apple’s ability to maintain quality control and reduce risks related to global supply chain disturbance. On Wednesday Apple has confirmed that they are going start manufacturing all types of cover glass for Apple watch and iphones in their Harrodsburg plant. According to reports, the Harrodsburg plant is completely allocated for Apple, and this plant is likely to be one the advanced smartphone glass production units. This step came up with an increased workforce with 50 percent, Apple is all set to introduce an innovation center at their plant for better development, good material stuff and advanced manufacturing for upcoming products.
Corning, a glass manufacturing company
Founded in 1851, Corning is one of leading glass manufacturing companies based in the United States, which is known for its products like Pyrex, fibre optics, and Gorilla Glass. Their products are widely used from kitchenware to smartphones. The company clutches thousands of patents related to glass and ceramic. They have long term partnerships with tech giants like Apple and Motorola.
Inputs from Ahsan Khan.