Apple today announced the latest award from its $1 billion Advanced Manufacturing Fund. Finisar, a leading manufacturer of optical communications components, will receive $390 million as part of Apple’s commitment to support innovation and job creation by American manufacturers.
The award will enable Finisar to exponentially increase its R&D spending and high-volume production of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). VCSELs power some of Apple’s most popular new features, including Face ID, Animoji and Portrait mode selfies made possible with the iPhone X TrueDepth camera, as well as the proximity-sensing capabilities of AirPods.
VCSEL technology is a better performing, more compact and cost-efficient solution compared to traditional edge-emitting lasers for many emerging applications. Apple has rapidly adopted depth-sensing technology in recent years, leading to the development and production of the most advanced VCSELs used in the history of consumer electronics. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Apple will purchase 10 times more VCSEL wafers than were previously manufactured worldwide over a similar time period.
As a result of Apple’s commitment, Finisar will transform a long-shuttered, 700,000-sqare-foot manufacturing plant in Sherman, Texas, into the high-tech VCSEL capital of the US. Apple’s award will create more than 500 high-skill jobs at the Sherman facility, including engineers, technicians and maintenance teams. When combined with the company’s nearby plant in Allen, Texas, Finisar’s payroll in Northern Texas is expected to be $65 million. Hiring, capital equipment planning and infrastructure upgrades are already underway at the Sherman facility, which is expected to begin shipping in the second half of 2018.
One hundred percent of the VCSELs Apple buys from Finisar will be made in Texas. Consistent with Apple’s commitment to the environment, the company intends to procure enough renewable energy to cover all of its Apple manufacturing in the US.
“VCSELs power some of the most sophisticated technology we’ve ever developed and we’re thrilled to partner with Finisar over the next several years to push the boundaries of VCSEL technology and the applications they enable,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, in a statement. “Technology is only as good as the people behind it, and Finisar is a company with a long history of putting its employees first and supporting the community it’s a part of. We’re extremely proud that our involvement will help transform another American community into a manufacturing powerhouse.”
Apple has committed to investing at least $1 billion with US-based companies as part of the fund, which is designed to foster innovative production and high-skill jobs that will help lay the foundation for a new era of technology-driven manufacturing in the US. In May, Apple announced Corning Incorporated had been awarded the first award from the fund — $200 million to support their R&D, capital equipment needs and state-of-the-art glass processing.
“We’re excited to continue our innovation with Apple of a technology that has tremendous potential,” said Jerry S. Rawls, CEO of Finisar, in a statement. “When you combine our proven ability to consistently manufacture exceptional products with our new state-of-the-art Sherman facility, we’re confident we can achieve our shared goal of providing consumers with incredibly exciting features. Finisar has always been keenly aware it takes great people to power our work and that’s why we’re thrilled to be adding Sherman to our family.”
“Sherman is the perfect place for Finisar’s significant investment in their operations and facilities and we couldn’t be more grateful for their confidence. We’re thrilled that Finisar and Apple will be a part of the Sherman business community,” said Sherman Mayor David Plyler, in a statement. “The City of Sherman has invested significantly in improved infrastructure and amenities, and that’s translated into an unparalleled quality of life. The city has also adopted a pro-business culture, making Sherman the industry and commerce hub of North Texas.”
In the US, Apple now supports 2 million jobs across all 50 states, including 450,000 jobs attributable to Apple’s spend and investment with US-based suppliers. Last year alone, Apple spent over $50 billion with more than 9,000 domestic suppliers and manufacturers.
Source: Apple Inc.
MacDailyNews Take: Congrats, Finisar and Sherman, Texas and surrounding area!
This also pretty much confirms iPad, iPod touch (maybe) and future iPhones will be dumping the antiquated Home button and getting Face ID as Apple looks to guarantee a strong source of VCSELs for upcoming products.
SEE ALSO:
Apple awards Corning $200 million in first Advanced Manufacturing Fund investment – May 12, 2017
Apple’s billion-dollar advanced manufacturing investment is a blueprint for U.S. job growth – May 4, 2017
Apple: We are one of the biggest job creators in the U.S., responsible for two million jobs in all 50 states – May 4, 2017
Apple to invest $1 billion to promote manufacturing jobs in the U.S. – May 4, 2017
Apple’s top manufacturing partner to meet with U.S. President Trump today – April 27, 2017
Apple could help Westinghouse in completing new nuclear plants – April 17, 2017
Apple supplier Sharp may begin building $7 billion U.S. plant in within months as Japan PM meets President Trump – February 8, 2017
Foxconn-Sharp considering LCD plant in USA, plans in response to President-elect Trump’s ‘Make in America’ call – January 13, 2017
With President Trump soon to take office, Apple looks to boost its ‘Made in America’ credentials – January 10, 2017
Make America Insanely Great Again: Apple seeks to expand Made in USA manufacturing – January 9, 2017
Apple invests $1 billion in SoftBank’s massive tech fund; may help company get in President Trump’s good graces – January 4, 2017
Softbank to invest $50 billion in the U.S., create 50,000 new tech jobs after meeting with President-elect Trump – and Apple supplier Foxconn is in on the deal – December 6, 2016
President-elect Trump invites tech leaders to roundtable in Manhattan next week – December 6, 2016
President-elect Trump tells Apple CEO Tim Cook that he’d like to see Apple make products in the U.S. – November 23, 2016
President-elect Trump says Apple CEO Tim Cook called him after election victory – November 22, 2016
Apple could make iPhones in the U.S.A. under President Trump, sources say – November 17, 2016
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
You’re welcome.
#MAGA
The “liberal” Apple grants the contract, and you put that idiot on saying you’re welcome?
You’re not stupid, you’re evil.
This would not be happening without President Trump. Period.
Silicon Valley is getting into the game as tech leaders maneuver to stay on the president’s good side… The latest multinational to get into the game is Apple, which currently stands to save billions if Trump’s vision for a territorial tax system makes it into the final draft of the White House’s tax reform plan.
Apple C.E.O. Tim Cook appeared on CNBC Wednesday to announce the creation of a $1 billion fund, which will promote advanced manufacturing jobs in the United States. “By doing that, we can be the ripple in the pond,” Cook said. “Because if we can create many manufacturing jobs around, those manufacturing jobs create more jobs around them because you have a service industry that builds up around them.” — Maya Kosoff, Vanity Fair, May 4, 2017
L I E S Again, just like donald. lie after, lie, after, lie.
I’m sorry to use the word LIE, but I’m running out of polite synonyms. Wake up.
I invite everyone to compare my post, and the facts contained within to BOB’s empty, meaningless, baseless post above.
Who’s really lying here?
donald trump = LIE
That’s what America thinks when they hear the name donald trump.
When trump is talking, he is lying. That’s the TRUTH… LOOKING Forward to President Pense. I think if he follows the Liar’s lead, donald, he should look for another job too.
You’re the stupid one.
If Crooked Hillary, Globalism Queen, had been installed into office as the biased leftist media advocated, Apple would not have created the $1 billion Advanced Manufacturing Fund and these VCSELs would be made and sourced from China following Tim Cook’s crappy, squeeze every last penny, America-hating or at least ignoring/exploiting modus operandi.
Whether you and other confused Libs liek you are capable of admitting it or not, President Trump is responsible for Apple’s $1 billion Advanced Manufacturing Fund and therefore these new high-paying jobs at Finisar in Sherman, Texas.
State aided capitalism. The worst of both worlds.
Sherman, Texas simply created the climate for business to thrive. It’s Apple’s money invested in the $1 billion Advanced Manufacturing Fund, not Texas’ citizens.
The reason Apple created the fund was directly because of President Trump’s election. Without Trump, this would not be happening. Apple would just get their VCSEL parts from China, as usual, under any other of the the presidential candidates from Clinton to Bush.
For a local government, or any government, to “crate a climate” is state aid.
FactChecker,
What is your evidence that Texas citizens did not make a financial contribution to this project? I happen to support some use of financial incentives for economic development, but there is no denying that it is “state-aided capitalism.”
Local newspaper coverage suggests that Finisar was offered a blend of federal, state, county, city, and even school district incentives. I haven’t been able to find the details of this particular deal, but the following describes what was on the table:
http://sedco.org/incentives/
You are a fool.
And, as a good little Dem/Lib/Prog, you love state aid of any kind, remember?
The more money from citizens collected and flushed down the crapper by a huge, faceless, brainless bureaucracy, the happier you little Dem/Lib/Progs are.
You’re all a bunch of corporate welfare mothers. And Trump is the most successful welfare mother of all time with his legal manipulation of the system. to the tune of a billion bucks. Yet you have the audacity to criticize real people who receive aid. Hypocrites!
And I remind you Trump bragged about how clever he was…
Bill, the Grand Abuser, the Democrat Party Leader, Spokesman and Vaulted Representative, would have been at the door, directing all pretty visitors to the Lincoln Bedroom for his own personalized tour.
This president, on the other hand, has me totally confused. All thoughts romanticising the Office have evaporated, I worry what’s next out of his mouth and I don’t want to see the day when his comb over, comes over. It’s amazing what he’s able to do in-spite of the massive amount of opposition from numerous fronts. I would fall apart, or find the nearest hole.
Hillary would have lied her way into and around everything and the status quo would have been the way. But, the Clinton Foundation would have grown and grown and grown. Heads or tails? We know what Bill would choose!
This is good news and President Trump rightly deserves a share of the credit. Obviously, you and Bob are allergic to reality. Tough beans …
Deserves credit for doing what.
Now if you are referring to where he signs his name on a big sheet of paper that he has not read, well. When I see him hold it up, I do want to say, “that’s good, you’re a big boy now. you can sign you name. Very good son”.
But if you are talking about the economy then you give credit where it is do, President Obama, with nothing but obstructionistic behavior from the republicans.
American companies have enjoyed record profits, stock market flight, the DOW, well that’s about these guys know it’s time to steal. Nobody is watching the store.
Credit Obama? ROTFL …
Face ID would be great for unlocking macOS computers too.
The report “Global VCSEL Market Research Report – Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast 2017 to 2024” added by DecisionDatabases.com to its vast repository provides market insights, facts, historical data, and future projections of the VCSEL industry. This report provides information in terms of revenue and volume for the period 2017 to 2024. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities are intellectually assessed in the research report. View Full Report With Complete TOC @ https://goo.gl/M91fnd
According to the global VCSEL Market report published by Value Market Research, the market is expected to touch USD 4,342.0 Million by 2024, with a CAGR of 21.3% growing from USD 1,120.4 Million in 2017.