Apple officially opened the Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, a new initiative designed to help small and mid-sized businesses adopt advanced manufacturing technologies. According to a news release, the academy is part of Apple’s larger mission to invest more than $500 billion in the U.S. economy over the next four years, continuing its commitment to American manufacturing and innovation.

Developed in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU), the Detroit facility offers free programming that includes in-person workshops and consulting services. Virtual programming is scheduled to launch later in 2025, according to the release. The goal is to provide companies with tools to integrate AI, automation, and data-driven manufacturing into their operations. Training sessions cover topics such as machine learning, process optimization, and leveraging digital technologies to improve efficiency and product quality.

“Automation, robotics and artificial intelligence are more common in a lot of the larger companies where they have experts for these specific concepts,” Jaime Herrera, Apple’s director of product operations, told The Detroit News in an interview.

“And small and medium-sized businesses will need to start implementing those in order to continue to grow,” he continued.

Herrera further added, “If we start talking to small and medium-sized businesses, we can start to help them and make sure they don’t have the barrier of thinking, ‘There’s no way I could do this,’ or ‘It’s going to be too expensive,’ or ‘I don’t have the experts.’ We want to try to break that by making it accessible.”

Herrera also said that business owners are encouraged to bring specific challenges to the program, where Apple engineers and MSU experts work with them to develop tailored solutions. For entrepreneurs like Larry Crockett, founder of Lorraine’s Premium BBQ Sauce, the first sessions have already had an impact.

“I learned so much,” Crockett told The Detroit News after attending two days of programming.

“I just appreciate Apple making this platform, and it’s just my luck it’s located in Detroit,” he added.

Detroit’s deep history in manufacturing made it a natural choice for the new program, according to MSU Academy Director Sarah Gretter.

“Detroit is the prime location for honoring the history around manufacturing, so it made a lot of sense to do this here … Manufacturing is part of the fabric of the state,” Gretter said to The Detroit News.

The Apple Manufacturing Academy builds on Apple’s 2021 launch of the Apple Developer Academy, also in partnership with MSU, which provides training in coding, design and entrepreneurship, AFROTECH™ previously reported.

Both initiatives reflect Apple’s long-term commitment to supporting U.S. businesses and strengthening supply chains.

“We’re thrilled to welcome companies from across the country to the Apple Manufacturing Academy,” Apple Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan said in the news release announcing the launch. “Apple works with suppliers in all 50 states because we know advanced manufacturing is vital to American innovation and leadership. With this new programming, we’re excited to help more businesses implement smart manufacturing and unlock new opportunities for their companies and our country.”

As the program expands, Apple and MSU plan to roll out virtual training opportunities to make the academy accessible nationwide. Business owners can register for courses and consultations at manufacturingacademy.msu.edu.