Apple to Begin Manufacturing Mac Mini in Houston, TX at Foxconn Facility

Apple announced plans to begin assembling the Mac Mini at a Foxconn facility in Houston, Texas, during the second half of 2026 — marking the first time the compact desktop computer has been manufactured in the United States. The Wall Street Journal first reported the move on February 23, 2026, citing people familiar with the plans.

The decision adds the Mac Mini to Apple’s small but growing list of US-assembled products, which currently consists solely of the Mac Pro — assembled at a Flex facility in Austin, Texas, since 2013. Components for the Houston-assembled Mac Mini will continue to be sourced globally, with the facility handling final assembly rather than full manufacturing.

Announcement Details and Timeline

The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the plans, stating production is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026. No exact start month or initial production volume was disclosed. Apple had not issued an official press release as of February 23, 2026, though the company has historically confirmed US assembly expansions once operations are underway and publicly visible.

The Houston facility is operated by Foxconn subsidiary Sharp in partnership with Apple. Foxconn’s Houston site sits in the city’s industrial corridor and has been expanding US operations over recent years, with a focus on server assembly, consumer electronics, and advanced manufacturing lines.

Apple plans to start assembling the Mac Mini at a facility in Houston, Texas, operated by Foxconn.

Comparison to Mac Pro US Manufacturing

The Mac Pro — Apple’s high-end workstation — has been assembled in Austin, Texas since 2019 at a Flex-operated facility. The assembly line employs approximately 100 workers and handles final integration of globally sourced components. Apple has reported that the Austin facility produces the Mac Pro with over 70% US-sourced components by value, qualifying for tariff exemptions under Section 301 exclusions.

The Mac Mini represents a meaningful departure in scope: it is a consumer-grade, lower-cost machine rather than a $7,000+ professional workstation. Volume requirements for the Mac Mini are substantially higher than the Mac Pro, making the Houston facility’s capacity for high-volume production a critical factor in the siting decision. This is the first time Apple has extended US assembly beyond its flagship professional hardware.

Houston Facility and Foxconn’s US Presence

Foxconn operates multiple US sites, with the Houston plant focused on server and electronics assembly. In 2023, Foxconn announced a $100 million investment in Houston-area operations, committing to create 500 jobs for advanced manufacturing. The facility has capacity for high-volume production, with recent expansions supporting AI server lines and consumer electronics.

Apple’s selection of the Houston site aligns with its broader strategy of diversifying assembly away from concentrated Asian production — a shift accelerated by US-China trade tensions, tariff exposure on imported electronics, and growing political pressure on major technology companies to invest domestically.

Broader Context: Apple’s US Manufacturing Trajectory

Apple has steadily expanded its US manufacturing and supply chain footprint since the Mac Pro moved to Texas in 2013. Key milestones in the company’s domestic investment trajectory include:

• 2013 — Mac Pro assembly begins in Austin, Texas
• 2019 — Mac Pro tower fully assembled in Texas with 70%+ US content by value; qualifies for Section 301 tariff exclusions
• 2022 — Apple commits $430 billion to the US economy over five years, including supplier investments and R&D spending
• 2025 — TSMC Arizona begins 4nm and 3nm Apple silicon chip production, targeting supply chain independence for A- and M-series processors
• H2 2026 — Mac Mini assembly begins in Houston at Foxconn/Sharp facility

As of 2025, Apple reports over 2.4 million US jobs supported through its supply chain, including 80,000 direct supplier jobs — figures the company has used to frame its domestic economic contribution in policy discussions.

Supply Chain and Economic Implications

The Mac Mini assembly shift is expected to create a limited number of direct jobs at the Houston facility — consistent with Apple’s final assembly model, which is capital-intensive and lightly staffed relative to full manufacturing operations. Analysts estimate that US assembly adds 5–10% to production costs for desktop computers due to labor and logistics differentials, though tariff savings and supply chain resilience offset a portion of those expenses.

The move also responds to ongoing US-China trade dynamics. Potential tariffs on imported electronics discussed in 2025–2026 policy circles would disproportionately affect companies with concentrated Asian assembly, giving Apple a structural hedge by localizing final assembly of a high-volume product in Texas.

When a compact desktop starts getting assembled in the heart of oil country, the only thing hotter than Houston summers might be the supply chain spreadsheets.

Apple has not issued an official press release confirming this report as of February 23, 2026. This article is based on reporting by The Wall Street Journal. Components will continue to be sourced globally; the Houston facility handles final assembly only.