Tech company to close suburban Phoenix plant, cut ties with Apple

PHOENIX — Once hailed as a major job creator for the Valley, the makers of Apple’s Sapphire glass plan to close a Mesa plant that produces the glass.

The tech site Mac Rumors reported that GT Advanced Technologies, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, planned to wind down
operations in Mesa and Massachusetts before the end of the year.

Sapphire glass is used in the new iPhone 6.

In court papers, GT described the operation agreements with Apple as “oppressive and burdensome.”

GT said it had no other choice as it runs out of money. The shutdown request is contingent on the court’s approval.

In late March, there was speculation that a plant in Mesa was going to produce the specialized glass.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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