Apple To Build New $2 Billion Data Center In Bankrupted GT Advanced Buildings

mrspoonsi writes Apple announced it will spend about $2 billion to build a new data center in Mesa, Arizona. It will be housed in buildings formerly used by GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT), which went bankrupt last year after failing to supply sapphire display covers for the iPhone 6. The data center will be powered entirely by renewable energy. It will be a "command center for our global networks." Apple has said it would help find work for people affected by GTAT's bankruptcy. It's possible some of those former GTAT employees might help construct the new command center. When Apple initially partnered with GTAT to make sapphire displays, the company invested millions in a sapphire production facility. It makes sense that Apple would want to do something with the building if it couldn't make sapphire there.

Comments

My own cynicism about Apple is getting out of hand

[idontgno]

When I saw this snippet in TFS:

It's possible some of those former GTAT employees might help construct the new command center.

I actually thought "just like a conquering nation making their new prisoners build their own prisons."

Re:My own cynicism about Apple is getting out of h

[Anonymous Coward]

That's not cynicism, this is cynicism.

Promise contract to company.
Make contract impossible to fulfil.
Bankrupt company.
Sweep up company assets on the cheap.
???
Profit.

Re:My own cynicism about Apple is getting out of h

[jellomizer]

While we like making the big company the bad guy. GTAT Executives were the ones who really screwed up. If you are going to have a business relationship with Apple, you better be sure that you are big enough to operate without Apple.
It is no secrete that Apple is very fickle when it comes to venders. If you are not giving what Apple wants they will not sit there and take it, they will drop you in an instant. Apple has the resources to drop seemingly vital venders, and rework its products just so they get the deal that they want.

GTAT should have known this, and avoid Apple unless they had the resources to manage without them as well. However they just beefed up their company size to produce something on a mass scale that they haven't before. Just so they can have a chance to win a contract.

If I were a GTAT employee I would be more pissed at the executives for hiring you for a high risk position without letting you know the actual risk.