Hon Hai Precision Industry, one of Apple's top suppliers and more popularly known as Foxconn, revealed its plans to build a $10 billion plant in Wisconsin.
President Donald Trump took credit for the planned plant, which will manufacture LCD display panel screens and may eventually employ up to 13,000 workers.
Apple Plants In The US
Earlier this week, Trump revealed Apple CEO Tim Cook's commitment of building three big manufacturing plants in the United States. The move will help in fulfilling the Trump administration's promise of reviving the country's manufacturing industry.
However, it was unclear whether it was Apple itself building the three manufacturing plants, or if they will be put up by the company's suppliers. New reports have now clarified that Cook's promise meant the latter, with Foxconn revealing its intention of opening its first major factory in the United States.
The planned Foxconn plant, which was announced in a press conference at the White House, will initially create 3,000 jobs, with the maximum 13,000 jobs to be opened in the near future. Foxconn will spend $10 billion in the construction of the facility over the next three years.
Foxconn CEO Terry Gou stated that the plant will focus on manufacturing high-definition 8K displays, which feature an even higher resolution and look better than the market's top-of-the-line 4K displays. The factory will manufacture flat-panel LCD screens that will be used for televisions and other kinds of electronics.
Trump hailed the proposed 20,000-square-foot Foxconn factory as the latest sign for his success in promoting advanced manufacturing in the United States, with more of such facilities to be opened in the future in Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan.
"If I didn't get elected, he definitely wouldn't be spending $10 billion," said Trump, referring to Gou, as he claimed the credit for pushing the Foxconn CEO to decide on opening a factory in the United States.
"This is a great day for American workers, and manufacturing, and anyone who believes in the concept, and the label, 'Made in the USA,'" Trump added.
What's Up With Apple And Wisconsin?
The decision of Foxconn to open a plant in Wisconsin follows an unusual trend of stories involving Apple and the state.
Earlier this week, a woman and her insurance company filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming that an iPhone 4S caused a fire in her home in Wisconsin. Apple was then ordered by a court to pay $506 million to settle a patent infringement case to the patent licensing arm of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
