Apple Creating 2000 Jobs In Arizona: New Sapphire Glass Plant

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Apple Inc. is expanding its operations in the U.S. again. The maker of the iPhone has acquired a facility in Mesa, Arizona that will be used to manufacture its new sapphire glass, according to releases from the State of Arizona and GT Advanced. The latter is a company based in New Hampshire that manufactures materials.

According to reports, Apple Inc. made the property purchase from First Solar and has signed a contract with GT Advanced that allows the Cupertino company to “own and operate furnaces and related equipment” at the Mesa location.

Job Growth Expected For Mesa Area

According to the report released by the State of Arizona, Apple Inc. will be creating at least 700 jobs within the first year. There will also be approximately 1,300 job created that are directly related to the construction and remodeling of the facility. The report also notes that Apple will be using renewable energy resources to help power the new manufacturing plant.

Apple Confirms Plans

Apple Inc. released a statement to Pocket-Lint.com confirming its plans for the new facility.

“We are proud to expand our domestic manufacturing initiative with a new facility in Arizona, creating more than 2,000 jobs in engineering, manufacturing and construction. This new plant will make components for Apple products and it will run on 100% renewable energy from day one, as a result of the work we are doing with SRP to create green energy sources to power the facility.”

Plant Will Make Sapphire Glass

Apple uses sapphire glass to help protect the camera on the iPhone, as well as the new Touch ID home button on the iPhone 5S. The reason for this choice is that sapphire glass is extremely durable and scratch-resistant.

However, for the tech giant to purchase a facility to manufacture sapphire glass suggests that perhaps it is developing more uses for the product than are currently available. Some rumors have hinted that Apple may be working on a sapphire glass display, but had found them not to be cost-effective. Also, Corning has claimed that its Gorilla Glass 3 is much more effective than sapphire glass.

New Products Could Be In The Future

It could be that Apple is not developing sapphire glass for further use in the smartphone or tablet industry. There are rumors of a possible “smartwatch” in development. Sapphire glass is already a popular product in watchmaking, and it would be feasible for use on a screen the size of a watch face. However, these reports remain unconfirmed as of right now, so we will have to wait and see.

Apple Brings Its Manufacturing Home To Its Roots

Apple Inc. has been slowly moving much of its manufacturing labor back to the U.S. in recent years. Recently the company achieved a major portion of its manufacturing through third-party contracts. However, the California based tech company will be manufacturing its first computer in many years in the United States at an Austin, Texas facility. This facility will manufacture the Mac Pro and Apple has taken great strides be sure this facility is featured in its advertising and product videos.

Apple Inc. is bringing another 700 jobs to the U.S. that will help strengthen the economy around Mesa, as well as solidify their ties to U.S. consumers.