FOXCONN AND SOFTBANK TO BUILD DATA CENTER EQUIPMENT IN OHIO FOR STARGATE PROJECT

Foxconn and SoftBank are teaming up on a new manufacturing initiative in Ohio, where they will produce specialized data center equipment to support the Stargate project, a large-scale infrastructure effort aimed at powering the next generation of artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

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The partnership represents a significant cross-border collaboration between one of the world's leading electronics manufacturers and one of Japan's most influential investment firms, with the U.S. Midwest emerging as the staging ground. The Stargate project—led by SoftBank with backing from partners in Al and telecom—envisions a massive buildout of computing facilities and interconnect systems to meet surging demand for data-intensive applications. These range from generative Al models and robotics to advanced mobile services and edge computing. For Foxconn, best known as Apple's largest iPhone supplier, the venture marks a further expansion into data infrastructure hardware beyond its consumer electronics base.

WHY OHIO WAS CHOSEN

Foxconn already operates facilities in the U.S., including in Wisconsin, but Ohio was selected for its manufacturing base, logistics network, and proximity to growing data center clusters in the Midwest. State officials have courted both companies aggressively, offering tax incentives and positioning Ohio as a hub for advanced technology jobs.