Key facts
- Applied Optoelectronics Inc. (AOI) is constructing two new facilities in Pearland, Texas.
- The combined facilities will add nearly 400,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity.
- The expansion aims to increase production of optical transceivers for AI and cloud infrastructure.
- Project completion and initial production are scheduled for 2027.
- AOI also plans to occupy a 210,000 square foot facility in Sugar Land, supported by a $2 million incentive.
Applied Optoelectronics Inc. (AOI) has commenced construction on two adjacent facilities in Pearland, Texas, which will collectively add approximately 400,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity. These new sites are designed to bolster the company's production of optical transceivers, essential components for data centers and AI infrastructure.
The company anticipates project completion and the start of transceiver production in 2027. This expansion follows AOI's recent announcement of occupying a new 210,000 square foot facility in Sugar Land, Texas, which is supported by a $2 million incentive from the city. That Sugar Land expansion is projected to bring a $150 million capital investment and create 500 jobs over the next five years.
AOI's Chief Financial Officer, Stefan Murry, stated that Pearland's access to a strong workforce, excellent infrastructure, and room for scaling operations made it an attractive location. He emphasized that these new facilities will be crucial for expanding advanced optical transceiver production and reinforcing AOI's role as a key supplier in the AI and cloud infrastructure markets. The company also maintains research and development facilities in Atlanta and engineering and manufacturing sites in Taiwan and China.