Lumentum Holdings Inc. Expands U.S. Manufacturing Footprint with New Facility in North Carolina

In a significant move to bolster its manufacturing capabilities and support the burgeoning AI infrastructure sector, Lumentum Holdings Inc. announced plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. The facility, spanning 240,000 square feet, is set to produce advanced indium phosphide (InP)-based optical devices essential for the world's largest AI data centers. This strategic initiative marks a pivotal step in Lumentum's commitment to enhancing domestic manufacturing while meeting the growing demands of the AI revolution.

The newly secured Greensboro site, acquired from semiconductor chipmaker Qorvo, was chosen for its robust infrastructure and access to a highly skilled workforce. The facility is already operational and will undergo retrofitting to manufacture Lumentum's InP-based optical products, including continuous wave (CW) and ultra-high-power (UHP) lasers. The acquisition agreement also facilitates the transfer of an experienced workforce, allowing Lumentum to accelerate production capacity and efficiency.

One of the notable aspects of this new facility is its collaboration with NVIDIA, a major player in the AI sector. NVIDIA will serve as a customer, helping to enhance U.S. critical infrastructure and support research and development efforts through existing strategic agreements with Lumentum. The facility aims to cater to other leading AI infrastructure customers, fulfilling their optical requirements for both scale-out and scale-up operations.

Lumentum's expansion into Greensboro is not just about increasing production capacity; it's a strategic move to strengthen supply chain resilience and advance the company's onshoring strategy. By establishing a domestic manufacturing footprint, Lumentum is better positioned to support hyperscale cloud and AI infrastructure networks.

The facility will leverage 6-inch InP wafers, significantly expanding Lumentum's manufacturing capabilities. Production is anticipated to ramp up by mid-2028, aligning with the increasing demands of the AI industry.

Michael Hurlston, CEO of Lumentum, emphasized the importance of this investment: “Our customers are building the infrastructure that will define the next era of computing. Adding this new InP manufacturing facility significantly expands our capacity, deepens our strategic partnerships, and ensures we can deliver the performance, reliability, and scale required for the AI revolution.”

Debora Shoquist, Executive Vice President of Operations at NVIDIA, echoed this sentiment, stating, “As AI workloads scale at an unprecedented pace, secure and reliable access to high-performance optical components is critical. Lumentum’s investment in expanded U.S. manufacturing capacity strengthens supply continuity and positions us to meet growing infrastructure demands with confidence.”

Lumentum's investment in Greensboro is expected to be substantial, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars over the coming years. This project is projected to create and preserve over 400 manufacturing jobs in the region. New roles will span various areas, including fabrication process and equipment engineering, manufacturing technicians, operations, supply chain, quality management, IT, HR, and finance.

Local leaders have expressed strong support for Lumentum's decision to invest in North Carolina. North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley highlighted the state's semiconductor presence and skilled workforce, which are critical to fulfilling the expansion goals of industry leaders like Lumentum. “Having a strong semiconductor presence and a skilled workforce allows us to deliver the talent that industry leaders like Lumentum need to fulfill their expansion goals for serving the rapidly growing advanced AI market,” Lilley stated.

Marikay Abuzuaiter, Mayor of Greensboro, also praised the decision, noting, “Lumentum’s decision to invest in Greensboro signals that our city is competing and winning in the industries shaping the future of the global economy. Advanced manufacturing tied to smart technology infrastructure represents the next frontier of innovation, and Greensboro has the talent and collaborative leadership that companies need to grow.”

Lumentum's establishment of a new manufacturing facility in Greensboro is poised to have a profound impact on both the company and the local community. By investing in U.S. manufacturing capabilities, Lumentum is not only positioning itself as a leader in the optical and photonic technologies space but also contributing to the growth of the AI infrastructure sector. With the facility set to commence production in mid-2028, all eyes will be on Lumentum as it embarks on this transformative journey.