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.
Finisar’s long-shuttered 700,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Sherman, Texas will be transformed into the “high-tech VCSEL capital of the US.†When combined with the company’s nearby plant in Allen, Texas, Finisar’s payroll in Northern Texas is expected to be $65 million.
Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, said:
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.
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 also published this morning a separate article highlighting how its investment in Finisar will help transform the future of this Texas town.
Back in May, cover glass maker Corning received the first award from the Apple fund, $200 million to support their capital equipment needs and state-of-the-art glass processing.
