Apple has opened a 20,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) in Houston, offering free training sessions for small- and medium-sized businesses in smart manufacturing techniques.

The center is located within Apple's existing Houston facility, which currently builds and ships advanced AI servers. Apple said Mac mini production is also planned to begin at the site later this year.

The AMC is Apple's second U.S. manufacturing learning site, following the Apple Manufacturing Academy that opened in Detroit in August 2025. Apple said the Detroit facility has already served nearly 1,000 American companies.

Curriculum at the Houston center includes classroom sessions on advanced manufacturing principles, printed circuit board assembly design, and interactive workshops using on-site production equipment. Training topics include machine-learning-driven quality control and advanced automation. Apple said programming will eventually expand to include local college students.

"In less than nine months, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into this Houston facility," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "Today, we're thrilled to open our new Advanced Manufacturing Center, a place where businesses, workers, and students can learn the same innovative processes that we use to make Apple's most groundbreaking products."

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick attended the opening event, along with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, U.S. Representative Christian D. Menefee, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, and Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis.

"This opening is an important step in Apple delivering on its promise to bring its manufacturing back to America," Lutnick said.

Apple announced earlier this year a $600 billion U.S. investment commitment. The company said it shipped its first advanced AI servers from the Houston facility less than a year after identifying the factory site.