Expansion Management

Texas is Home to Motorola's First Smartphone Assembled in US

May 30, 2013

The new facility will employ 2,000 to design, engineer and assemble the phones.

In a big gain for both Texas and the U.S. Motorola Mobility (IW 1000/334) announced yesterday that it will produce its new flagship device, Moto X, in Fort Worth, Texas.

The location was a perfect fit as it was recently unoccupied by Nokia.

“It was a great facility in an ideal location,” said Will Moss, a spokesman for Motorola Mobility, which is owned by Google.

The new facility will employ 2,000 to design, engineer and assemble the phones.

"Motorola Mobility's decision to manufacture its new smartphone and create thousands of new jobs in Texas is great news for our growing state,“ said Texas Governor Rick Perry.

“Our strong, healthy economy, built on a foundation of low taxes, smart regulation, fair legal system and a skilled workforce is attracting companies from across the country and around the world that want to be a part of the rising Texas success story," Perry added.

The opening of the plant is a signficant move in the trend to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

“Motorola and Google wouldn’t be opening a large new smartphone factory in Texas if they didn’t think they could turn a profit," said Scott Paul, executive director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing.

"The announcement is fresh evidence that investing in American manufacturing makes smart business sense," Paul added. " Still, this is hardly a trend. But, the fact that Apple, Lenovo, Google, and Motorola are all making significant investments in manufacturing means that offshoring is no longer the only option.

"I also think this announcement shows the power of “Made in America.” There is no hotter slogan on the market today.”

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies.She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.