Apple Inc. opened its Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) in Houston on August 13, 2026. The 20,000-square-foot facility is located within the same Houston complex that manufactures and ships Apple’s advanced AI servers and will begin producing Mac mini computers later this year. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, U.S. Representative Christian Menefee, and Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis attended the kickoff event.
What it means
The center provides free training and educational sessions for small- and medium-sized businesses, offering access to equipment, interactive labs, and tools. Experts at the site teach processes used to make Apple products, including advanced manufacturing principles for final assembly and design considerations for printed circuit board assembly. The curriculum also covers machine-learning-driven quality control and advanced automation. During the opening, the first cohort of business leaders participated in hands-on training, using a holographic table and factory-floor equipment to assemble and laser etch a product.
Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that the company invested hundreds of millions of dollars into the Houston facility in less than nine months, standing up a factory, starting production, and shipping its first advanced AI servers from the line. The AMC is Apple’s second U.S. manufacturing learning site; the first, the Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, opened in August 2025 and has helped nearly 1,000 American workers, students, and entrepreneurs through virtual programming on automation, quality control optimization, machine learning with vision, and professional development. Programming at the Houston center will expand to include local college students. Commerce Secretary Lutnick said the opening is an important step in Apple delivering on its promise to bring manufacturing back to America. Apple announced earlier in 2026 that it would bring Mac mini production to Houston and previously announced a $600 billion commitment last year.
Key facts
- Apple opened the Advanced Manufacturing Center in Houston on August 13, 2026.
- The center is 20,000 square feet and located within the facility that builds Apple’s advanced AI servers.
- Mac mini production at the Houston facility will begin later in 2026.
- Apple invested hundreds of millions of dollars into the Houston facility in less than nine months.
- The AMC is Apple’s second U.S. manufacturing learning site; the first opened in Detroit in August 2025.
- The Detroit academy has helped nearly 1,000 American workers, students, and entrepreneurs.
- Training covers final assembly, printed circuit board design, machine-learning-driven quality control, and advanced automation.
- Apple announced a $600 billion commitment last year.
Source: Apple Inc. news release