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Ex-GT Advanced AZ Apple facility suffers roof fire, cause unknown
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MacNN Staff
Join Date: Jul 2012
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The Apple facility in Mesa, Arizona -- formerly owned by GT Advanced -- had a roof fire earlier today, over a loading dock. The fire is currently contained, and for the moment, appears to have been limited to portions of the roof and solar installation only. Firefighters from three stations were called to fight the fire, which required the evacuation of 12 people from inside the facility.
The facility was originally built as a solar panel factory, and is already set up for advanced technology companies such as the manufacturing plant GT Advanced planned to run there. The latter company ran into trouble in its partnership with Apple after production flaws and delays meant that it could not turn a profit on the extra large-sized sapphire boules it produced there, perhaps originally intended for the displays on the iPhone 6 line, but currently used on the Touch ID and camera lens on current iPhone and iPad models, as well as the screens of some Apple Watch models.
Apple, which owns the land and the buildings at the facility, had loaned GT Advanced some $500 million to develop its technology and implement its production line, but the company ultimately failed in its goals. Apple has been repaid on its loan through the sale of the sapphire furnaces it bought for GT Advanced. The plant received numerous economic incentives and renewable-energy supply agreements, and even has its own on-site power station for renewable energy production, which appears to be the origin of the fire.
Immediately after GT Advanced announced its "surprise" bankruptcy, Apple said that it would work to preserve jobs and "work with state and local officials" to ease the impact of the loss of the 700-plus GT Advanced jobs. Thus far, it hasn't outlined any specifics on how it plans to do that.
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Last edited by NewsPoster; Jun 1, 2015 at 02:00 AM.
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Oct 2003
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What a poorly researched and written article. First, they are sapphire boules, not joules. Second, Apple and the City of Mesa have jointly announced and confirmed plans for the building. This location will become an Apple data center in the near future.
Do your research, please.
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Fully Recovered PC User
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Managing Editor
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Joules/Boules is a typo, so thanks for that.
An announcement does not equal "specifics on plans." Saying a building will become a data center does not make it so.
A little politeness goes a long way.
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Senior User
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gotta love those freelance volunteer copy editors, huh?
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Managing Editor
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We're several staffers short today - no excuse, but it is wearying.
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