“Apple plans to repurpose its factory in Mesa, Arizona, following the spectacular implosion of its relationship with sapphire manufacturer GT Advanced Technologies,” Luke Dormehl reports for Cult of Mac.
“The shutdown of GTA Advanced’s factory last month cost 700 people their jobs,” Dormehl reports. “Mesa and the state of Arizona had to fight hard to get Apple to show an interest in the 1.3 million square foot factory. Community leaders worked to fulfil Apple’s request that the facility run on 100% renewable energy, and also agreed to build a new power substation for the plant. Apple additionally benefited from Arizona’s decision to designate the area surrounding the building a foreign trade zone — which cut potential property taxes by upwards of 70%.”
“While it’s great news to hear that Apple may be able to make this arrangement work, after all, it will be interesting to see exactly what the repurposed the factory will be used for,” Dormehl reports. “Shortly after GTAT’s collapse, it was reported that Apple had already found new sapphire suppliers in Asia.”
Read more in the full article here.
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Apple sticking with Arizona plan after sapphire supplier GT Advanced falters – November 18, 2014