Apple opened its Advanced Manufacturing Center in Houston on Thursday, a 20,000-square-foot facility designed to give other companies access to the production methods and equipment Apple uses to build its own products.
The center sits inside the same Texas complex where Apple already produces AI servers and plans to begin making Mac mini later this year.
Small and medium-sized businesses can attend training sessions at the facility at no cost, with access to interactive labs, specialized equipment and a holographic lab table.
Apple’s workshops cover advanced manufacturing for final assembly and design considerations for printed circuit board assembly. Sessions are conducted on a representative production line inside the facility.
Apple built the center in nine months
The Houston site came together quickly. Apple said Thursday that it has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the facility in less than nine months, during which it also established the factory, began producing AI servers and shipped the first units.
“In less than nine months, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into this Houston facility,” CEO Tim Cook said at the opening. “We stood up a factory, started production, and shipped the first advanced AI servers off the line.”
The Advanced Manufacturing Center will initially focus on businesses and workers, with Apple planning to expand access to local college students.
Mac mini production starts later this year
Apple’s Houston operation already produces its advanced AI servers. Mac mini production will add a consumer device to the site later this year, although Apple has not said when customers will begin receiving Mac mini units made in Texas.
The move is part of Apple’s broader effort to expand manufacturing in the U.S. Under its $600 billion U.S. investment commitment, the company has pledged spending across suppliers, infrastructure, and domestic production.
Apple is also using the Houston center to train other businesses in manufacturing techniques developed for its own products. Companies interested in the program can register for updates through Apple’s website.
