Apple Comments on GT Debacle, Says Its Sapphire Process 'Is Not Ready for Production'

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Posted October 23, 2014 at 6:54pm by iClarified

Apple has commented on the debacle with GT Advanced saying that the company's sapphire manufacturing process 'is not ready for production'.

Earlier today, GT Advanced officially announced a settlement agreement with Apple under which GT will wind down sapphire materials production and exit from the market as a producer of sapphire materials. The company will refocus its business as an equipment supplier, manufacturing and developing sapphire growth systems and processes. According to the agreement, GT has four years without interest to pay Apple back $439 million, solely from a portion of the proceeds from ASF (Advanced Sapphire Furnace) sales.

"Apple put a lot of effort into an ambitious new sapphire manufacturing process with GTAT which is not ready for production", an Apple spokesperson told Re/code. "We’re going to continue evaluating GTAT’s progress on larger sapphire boule development, as well as consider other options for the facility. We remain committed to the city and we’re going to work with Mesa and Maricopa County to help the GT Advanced employees who will be impacted by this find new jobs."

Apple Comments on GT Debacle, Says Its Sapphire Process 'Is Not Ready for Production'

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Jorgee - October 23, 2014 at 9:18pm

This must be why my new iPhone 6 screen has a few scratches. Every idevice I've had before has never scratched(screen )

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NoGoodNick - October 23, 2014 at 8:01pm

It was clear from the initial reports that GT wasn't ready for the big time and fumbled the ball. They had their chance at big-time success, and were unable to enforce satisfactory quality control of their product. As such, it'll be difficult for the company to ever recover (what firm will ever take them seriously after then proved to be unreliable in the past). Expect to see a sale of the entire enterprise in the next year or two.

gamerscul9870 - October 23, 2014 at 8:19pm

Foxconn will know what it's like with this business. The perfect replacement.