Apple’s GT Advanced Sapphire Plant

Apple is progressing in building its manufacturing presence in the US, its new plant in Mesa, Arizona and the GT Advanced Sapphire plant, a large nondescript building seems to reach completion with AppleInsider receiving a batch of photos showing the recent progress. It was stated that the construction personnel have been working round the clock and mostly at weekends in order to get the job completed by June this year. The documents filed with the US International Trade Administration in January has revealed Apple’s `go live', focused date was somewhere in February and the plant would probably be partially active as the construction reaches completion. It is said that the Apple GT Advanced factory under the code name Project Cascade is responsible in the production of a new sapphire part which is bound for consumer Apple device while some speculate that the component will be either a replacement part for the current hardware like the iPhone screen or could be something new.

Powered by Renewable Energy

It is rumored that around the local electrical industry in Arizona, Apple could be going in for a project expansion into a building on the site which was previously owned by photovoltaic panel maker First Solar and the purpose of the support structure is yet unknown. The project will make provision to bring around 2,000 local jobs and the building will be completely powered by renewable energy. Apple uses sapphire which is an incredible and a durable material which has been used in small parts of the iPhone, the protective glass over the camera sensor and the Touch ID sensor in the iPhone 5s is made of sapphire as well. This sapphire glass will be made at the Mesa plant together with GT Advanced Technologies.

Manufacturing Equipments by GT

It is reported that the Arizona Governor, Janice Brewer stated that `Apple is indisputably one of the world’s most innovative companies and that he is thrilled to welcome them to Arizona. He further states that Apple will have an incredibly positive economic impact for Arizona and its decision to locate here speaks volumes about the friendly, pro-business climate that has been created for the past four years. Their investment in renewable energy will also be greening their power grid and create significant new solar and geothermal power sources for the state’. GT Technologies will also be providing all the manufacturing equipment per a multi-year agreement to Apple and when the facility is up and running it would be providing around seven hundred jobs.

Sapphire Glass – Key Component for Future Devices

Apple’s interest in sapphire glass indicates that it could be more of a key component for the future devices. Touch ID would eventually make its way to iPad and then there could be the possibility of Apple switching to sapphire display. Sapphire being a highly durable glass could also be a best for choice for wearable. According to a statement made by spokeswoman, Kristin Huguet to AllThingsD, she states that they are proud to expand their domestic manufacturing initiative with a new facility in Arizona, creating more than 2,000 jobs in engineering, manufacturing and construction and that this new plant will make components for Apple products which will run on 100% renewable energy from the very first day.