The partnership between Apple and Corning is growing stronger with plans to open a new innovation center in Central Kentucky. This joint building project will focus entirely on designing and engineering new materials for future hardware products. The project is a massive step in bringing more manufacturing back to the United States and highlights how much Apple relies on its longtime glass partner.
New materials lab brings more jobs to the local community
Corning is transforming its Harrodsburg location into the largest smartphone glass production line in the world. This shift means the plant will handle all the cover glass production for every new iPhone sold across the globe. To keep up with this global demand, the facility requires a major physical expansion and more hands on deck.
The expansion will add at least 200 permanent hourly production jobs to the plant. Corning will also hire new salaried engineers, growing the current workforce of 350 people by more than half. Every upcoming Apple Watch will use glass made by these new workers, making it the first time all glass for these devices is produced stateside.
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Building the innovation center will also bring about 100 temporary construction jobs to the town. Last year, Apple backed this facility with a $2.5 billion commitment to secure its domestic supply chain. Having research and manufacturing happening on the same campus means it can turn raw ideas into real glass components faster than ever.
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