Foxconn, the largest contract electronics maker in the world, has decided to invest $10 billion to build a display factory in Wisconsin that could employ up to 13,000 workers.
The investment comes partly thanks to President Donald Trump’s emphasis on domestic manufacturing and support from other levels of government, according to Foxconn CEO Terry Gou.
“I know you are committed to grow manufacturing in the United States. Because of you, we are also committed to creating great jobs for American people,” Gou said during an announcement of the investment in the White House on Wednesday, July 26.
Gou’s comment was addressed to President Trump, as well as Vice President Mike Pence, House speaker Paul Ryan, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, and Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner.
Kushner, together with Trump’s assistant, Reed Cordish, negotiated the investment as a members of Trump’s White House Office of American Innovation.
“This is a great day for American workers and manufacturing and for everyone who believes in the concept and the label ‘Made in the USA’,” Trump said.
Foxconn plans to build a sprawling 20 million-square-foot plant over the next five years. It plans to initially employ 3,000 workers and eventually expand to employ up to 13,000. Salaries will average over $53,000, plus benefits, according to Governor Walker’s Office.
The plant will make liquid crystal (LCD) displays for computer screens, televisions, and other purposes, heralding the revival of an American TV manufacturing industry that has been virtually dead for over two decades. It will focus on 8K technology, a screen resolution 16 times higher than Full HD.
The first 8K TV was introduced by Japanese electronics maker Sharp in 2012.
