Hubbry Logo
Corning Inc.Corning Inc.Main
Open search
Corning Inc.
Community hub
Corning Inc.
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Corning Inc.
Corning Inc.
Corning Inc.
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Corning Incorporated is an American multinational technology company specializing in glass, ceramics, and related materials and technologies including advanced optics, primarily for industrial and scientific applications. The company was named Corning Glass Works until 1989.[2] Corning divested its consumer product lines (including CorningWare and Visions Pyroceram-based cookware, Corelle Vitrelle tableware, and Pyrex glass bakeware) in 1998 by selling the Corning Consumer Products Company subsidiary (later Corelle Brands) to Borden.

Key Information

As of 2014, Corning had five major business sectors: display technologies, environmental technologies, life sciences, optical communications, and specialty materials. Corning is involved in two joint ventures: Dow Corning and Pittsburgh Corning. The company completed the corporate spin-offs of Quest Diagnostics and Covance (now Fortrea) in January 1997.[3] Corning is one of the main suppliers to Apple Inc. Since working with Steve Jobs in 2007, to develop the iPhone;[4] Corning develops and manufactures Gorilla Glass, which is used by many smartphone makers. It is one of the world's biggest glassmakers.[5] Corning won the National Medal of Technology and Innovation four times for its product and process innovations.[6][7][8][9]

Corning continues to maintain its world headquarters at Corning, N.Y. The firm also established one of the first industrial research labs there in 1908.[10] It continues to expand the nearby research and development facility, as well as operations associated with catalytic converters and diesel engine filter product lines. Corning has a long history of community development and has assured community leaders that it intends to remain headquartered in its small upstate New York hometown.[11]

History

[edit]
One of the first optic headlamp lenses, the Corning Conaphore. Selective yellow "Noviol" glass version shown

Corning Glass Works was founded in 1851 by Amory Houghton, in Somerville, Massachusetts, originally as the Bay State Glass Co.[12] It later moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and operated as the Brooklyn Flint Glass Works. The company moved again to its ultimate home and eponym, the city of Corning, New York, in 1868, under leadership of the founder's son, Amory Houghton Jr.

In 1915, Corning created an improved heat resistant glass formula and launched Pyrex, the first-ever consumer cooking products made with temperature-resistant glass, in 1915.[13]

The California Institute of Technology's 200-inch (5.1 m) telescope mirror at Palomar Observatory was cast by Corning during 1934–1936, out of low expansion borosilicate glass.[14] In 1932, George Ellery Hale approached Corning with the challenge of fabricating the required optic for his Palomar project. A previous effort to fabricate the optic from fused quartz had failed. Corning's first attempt was a failure, the cast blank having voids. Using lessons learned, Corning was successful in the casting of the second blank. After a year of cooling, during which it was almost lost to a flood, in 1935, the blank was completed. The first blank now resides in Corning's Museum of Glass.

In 1935, Corning formed a partnership with bottle maker Owens-Illinois, which formed the company known today as Owens Corning. Owens Corning was spun off as a separate company in 1938.

1917 advertisement for the Corning Conaphore headlamp lens shown above

The company had a history of science-based innovations following World War II and the strategy by management was research and "disruptive" and "on demand" product innovation.[15]

In 1962, Corning developed Chemcor, a new toughened automobile windshield designed to be thinner and lighter than existing windshields, which reduced danger of personal injury by shattering into small granules when smashed.[16] This toughened glass had a chemically hardened outer layer, and its manufacture incorporated an ion exchange and a "fusion process" in special furnaces that Corning built in its Christiansburg, Virginia facility.[15][17] Corning developed it as an alternative to laminated windshields with the intention of becoming an automotive industry supplier.[15] After being installed as side glass in a limited run of 1968 Plymouth Barracudas and Dodge Darts, Chemcor windshields debuted on the 1970 model year Javelins and AMXs built by American Motors Corporation (AMC).[17] As there were no mandatory safety standards for motor vehicle windshields, the larger automakers had no financial incentive to change from the cheaper existing products.[15][17] Corning terminated its windshield project in 1971, after it turned out to be one of the company's "biggest and most expensive failures."[17] However, like many Corning innovations, the unique process to manufacture this automotive glass was resurrected and is today the basis of their very profitable LCD glass business.

In late 1970, the company announced that researchers Robert D. Maurer, Donald Keck, Peter C. Schultz, and Frank Zimar had demonstrated an optical fiber with a low optical attenuation of 17 dB per kilometer by doping silica glass with titanium.[18] A few years later they produced a fiber with only 4 dB/km, using germanium oxide as the core dopant. Such low attenuations made fiber optics practical for telecommunications and networking. Corning became the world's leading manufacturer of optical fiber.

In 1977, considerable attention was given to Corning's Z Glass project. Z Glass was a product used in television picture tubes. Due to a number of factors, the exact nature of which are subject to dispute, this project was considered a steep loss in profit and productivity. The following year the project made a partial recovery. This incident has been cited as a case study by the Harvard School of Business.[19]

In 1998, the kitchenware division of Corning Inc. responsible for the development of Pyrex spun off from its parent company as Corning Consumer Products Company, subsequently renamed Corelle Brands. Corning Inc. no longer manufactures or markets consumer products, only industrial ones.[20]

Company profits soared in the late 1990s during the dot-com boom, and Corning expanded its fiber operations significantly through the acquisition of telecommunications company Oak Industries[21] and building several new plants. The company also entered the photonics market, investing heavily with the intent of becoming the leading provider of complete fiber-optic systems. Failure to succeed in photonics and the collapse in 2000 of the dot-com market had a major impact on the company, and Corning stock plummeted to $1 per share. However, as of 2007 the company had posted five straight years of improving financial performance.

Technologies

[edit]

The turning point for Corning came when Apple approached it to develop a robust display screen for its upcoming iPhone. Later, other companies also adopted its Gorilla Glass screen. In 2011, Corning announced the expansion of existing facilities and the construction of a Gen 10 facility co-located with the Sharp Corporation manufacturing complex in Sakai, Osaka, Japan.[22] The LCD glass substrate is produced without heavy metals. Corning is a leading manufacturer of the glass used in liquid crystal displays.[23]

The company continues to produce optical fiber and cable for the communications industry at its Wilmington and Concord plants in North Carolina. It is also a major manufacturer of ceramic emission control devices for catalytic converters in cars and light trucks that use gasoline engines. The company is also investing in the production of ceramic emission control products for diesel engines as a result of tighter emission standards for those engines both in the U.S. and abroad.[citation needed]

In 2007, Corning introduced an optic fiber, ClearCurve, which uses nanostructure technology to facilitate the small radius bending found in FTTX installations.[citation needed]

Corning's Gorilla Glass is used on the Nokia N8's screen.

Gorilla Glass, an outgrowth of the 1960s Chemcor project, is a high-strength alkali-aluminosilicate thin sheet glass used as a protective cover glass offering scratch resistance and durability in many touchscreens.[24] According to the book Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, Gorilla Glass was used in the first iPhone released in 2007.[25]

On October 25, 2011, Corning unveiled Lotus Glass, an environmentally friendly and high-performance glass developed for OLED and LCD displays.[26][27]

Corning invests about 10% of revenue in research and development, and has allocated US$300 million towards further expansion of its Sullivan Park research facility near headquarters in Corning, New York.[28]

Corning Incorporated manufactures a high-purity fused silica employed in microlithography systems, a low expansion glass utilized in the construction of reflective mirror blanks, windows for U.S. Space Shuttles, and Steuben art glass. The number of Corning facilities employing the traditional tanks of molten glass has declined over the years, but it maintains the capacity to supply bulk or finished glass of many types.[citation needed]

Corning is engaged in research and development on green lasers, mercury abatement, microreactors, photovoltaics, and silicon on glass. Through its Life Sciences division, the company offers products to support life science research, including stem-cell culture products.[29]

In September 2019, Apple announced that it would invest $250 million in Corning, in an effort to develop and manufacture the glass needed for many of its products, including the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad. Though not confirmed by either company, the investment could be used to develop new products in the future. Apple had already invested $200 million in Corning in 2017.[30]

In November 2024, The European Commission announced that Corning Inc. was under investigation for potential antitrust violations related to exclusive supply agreements with mobile phone manufacturers and raw glass processors, which may hinder competition in the specialty glass market.[31]

Other activities

[edit]

Corning employs roughly 61,200 people worldwide and had sales of $14.08 billion in 2021.[32] The company has been listed for many years among Fortune's 500 largest companies, and was ranked No. 297 in 2015.

Although the company has long been publicly owned, James R. Houghton, great-great-grandson of the founder, served as chairman of the board of directors from 2001 to 2007. Over the years Houghton family ownership has declined to about 2%. Wendell Weeks has been with the company since 1983 and as of March 2013 was chairman, chief executive officer, and president.[33]

Over its 160-year history Corning invented a process for rapid and inexpensive production of light bulbs, including developing the glass for Thomas Edison's light bulb. Corning was the glass supplier for lightbulbs for General Electric after Edison General Electric merged with Thomson-Houston Electric Company in 1892.[34] It was an early major manufacturer of glass panels and funnels for television tubes, invented and produced Vycor (high temperature glass with high thermal shock resistance). Corning invented and produced Pyrex, CorningWare and Visions Pyroceram glass-ceramic cookware, and Corelle durable glass dinnerware. Corning manufactured the windows for US crewed space vehicles, and supplied the glass blank for the primary mirror in the Hubble Space Telescope.

In 1982, Corning launched Chameleon® Sunglasses and Serengeti® sunglasses at retail, featuring the exclusive combination of Photochromic and Spectral Control® technologies in the lenses.

In July 2008, Corning announced the sale of Steuben Glass Works to Steuben Glass LLC, an affiliate of the private equity firm Schottenstein Stores Corporation. Steuben Glass had been unprofitable for more than a decade, losing 30 million dollars over the previous five years.[35]

In February 2011, Corning acquired MobileAccess Networks, an Israeli company that develops distributed antenna systems, which are often used by universities, stadiums and airports to ensure seamless wireless coverage throughout a facility. MobileAccess Networks became part of Corning's telecommunications business unit.[36] In July 2017, Corning acquired SpiderCloud Wireless.[37] In December 2017, Corning acquired all of 3M Communication Market Division, in a cash transaction of approximately $900 million. Acquisition closed during 2018; 3M Communication Market Division became part of Corning Optical Communications business unit.[38]

Board of directors

[edit]

As of 2024:[39]

  • Donald W. Blair: retired executive vice president and chief financial officer, NIKE, Inc.
  • Leslie A. Brun: chairman and chief executive officer, Sarr Group
  • Richard T. Clark: retired chairman, president and chief executive officer, Merck & Co., Inc.
  • Pamela J. Craig: retired chief financial officer, Accenture plc.
  • Robert F. Cummings, Jr.: retired vice chairman of investment banking, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • Roger W. Ferguson Jr.: Steven A. Tananbaum Distinguished Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations
  • Thomas D. French: senior partner emeritus, McKinsey & Company, Inc.
  • Deborah A. Henretta: retired group president of global e-business, Procter & Gamble Company
  • Daniel P. Huttenlocher: dean, MIT
  • Kurt M. Landgraf: retired president and chief executive officer, Educational Testing Service
  • Kevin Martin: vice president, US public policy, Meta Platforms, Inc.
  • Deborah D. Rieman: retired executive chairman, MetaMarkets Group
  • Hansel E. Tookes II: retired chairman and chief executive officer, Raytheon Aircraft Company
  • Wendell P. Weeks: chairman, chief executive officer, and president, Corning Incorporated
  • Mark S. Wrighton: professor of chemistry and chancellor emeritas, Washington University in St. Louis

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Corning Inc.

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Corning Incorporated is an American multinational technology company specializing in materials science, with expertise in glass, ceramics, and optical physics to develop products for telecommunications, consumer electronics, displays, life sciences, and aerospace. Founded in 1851 by Amory Houghton as Bay State Glass Company in Somerville, Massachusetts, the firm relocated to Corning, New York, where it was incorporated as Corning Glass Works in 1875 and reorganized as Corning Incorporated in New York State in 1936; it is headquartered in Corning, New York. For over 170 years, Corning has innovated key technologies, including the first practical incandescent light bulb glass in the late 19th century, low-loss optical fiber in 1970 that revolutionized global data transmission, and chemically strengthened Gorilla Glass starting in 2007, which provides superior scratch and drop resistance for smartphone screens and has been adopted by major device manufacturers following a rapid development effort prompted by Apple for the iPhone. While Corning's emphasis on sustained research and development has driven category-defining products and revenue growth to $13.1 billion in 2024, the company has encountered challenges such as sharp declines in stock value and massive write-downs during the early 2000s telecom bust, resulting in layoffs and strategic refocus, as well as ongoing intellectual property disputes over fiber-optic and glass technologies.

History

Founding and Early Innovations (1851–1900)

Corning Incorporated originated in 1851 when Amory Houghton Sr., a merchant, invested in and helped establish the Bay State Glass Company in , focusing initially on producing flint glassware such as bottles and jars for pharmaceutical, chemical, and illuminating gas applications. Facing labor challenges and financial pressures, the firm relocated in 1868 to , at the invitation of local banker Elias Hungerford, who highlighted the area's plentiful supplies ideal for glass production furnaces. The move from , where it had operated as the Brooklyn Flint Glass Works, allowed reconstruction after operational setbacks, and the company was renamed Corning Flint Glass Works, later incorporating as Corning Glass Works in 1875. During the and , the company advanced specialty products, including a durable lens for railroad signal lanterns introduced in 1877, which improved visibility in adverse weather and contributed to enhanced rail safety by reducing misread signals. By the decade's end, Corning supplied thin, precisely shaped bulbs for Thomas Edison's early incandescent lamps, enabling vacuum sealing essential for filament longevity in electric lighting prototypes tested from 1879 onward. These developments established the firm's reputation for precision glassmaking amid the era's industrial expansion in transportation and .

Expansion in Glass and Ceramics (1901–1950)

In the early 1900s, Corning Glass Works expanded its expertise in specialty glass through the development of Nonex (CNX) glass, a temperature-resistant material invented by engineers William Churchill and George Hollister for railroad signal lanterns, which endured thermal shocks from weather variations. The company collaborated with the Railroad Signal Association to establish national standards for signal glass colors, enhancing reliability in rail safety applications and broadening its market beyond consumer goods. This period also marked the establishment of Corning's first dedicated laboratory in 1908, institutionalizing systematic innovation in glass composition and manufacturing processes to drive commercial growth. A pivotal advancement came in 1915 with the introduction of , formulated for superior thermal resistance and chemical durability, initially targeting apparatus before extending to consumer ovenware after successful kitchen tests in 1913 using Nonex prototypes. enabled precise heat management in scientific experiments and household cooking, with production scaling rapidly to meet demand from research institutions and homemakers, solidifying Corning's reputation in heat-resistant glass. By the 1920s, these products supported expansions in , including culture vessels critical for early antibiotic production like penicillin during . In , Corning advanced high-purity fused silica glass, achieving exceptional optical clarity and thermal stability suitable for precision optics. This material culminated in 1935 with the casting of the 200-inch mirror blank for the at , the largest single glass disk produced at the time, demonstrating Corning's capacity for large-scale, defect-free manufacturing. Concurrently, the company synthesized early resins in 1934, laying groundwork for advanced sealants and adhesives derived from glass-silicone hybrids, though ceramics proper remained limited until post-1950 glass-ceramic breakthroughs. By the late 1930s and into the , expansion accelerated with the invention of a mass-production process for 9-inch cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) in 1939, enabling affordable black-and-white televisions and positioning Corning as a leading supplier of electronic display glass. Wartime demands further diversified output, with components aiding development for research, while CRT production scaled for and early displays, reflecting Corning's shift toward high-volume, technology-enabling materials amid industrial growth. These s, rooted in empirical material testing and , propelled revenue diversification from traditional lighting and signals to scientific, astronomical, and emerging sectors by 1950.

Post-War Growth and Diversification (1951–1980)

Following , Corning Glass Works experienced rapid expansion driven by the surge in television adoption, becoming the world's leading supplier of tubes (CRTs) by the mid-1950s through advancements in techniques initially honed for lighting components. The postwar economic boom fueled U.S. television sales, with Corning capturing the entire domestic market for TV picture tubes and bulbs; by the 1960s, it supplied 100 percent of global TV glass, including replacement bulbs, as technology matured—marked by the 1954 development of specialized color TV bulbs that propelled sales from 147,000 units in 1961 to 2.7 million by 1965. This period solidified Corning's position in electronics, with revenues heavily reliant on television-related glass, though vulnerability to market cycles became evident as competition intensified. Diversification efforts accelerated in the late and to mitigate dependence on . In 1957, Corning introduced , a Pyroceram-based stovetop cookware line resistant to , which expanded its consumer products segment and saw sales climb from $15 million in 1959 to $25 million in 1960. The 1962 acquisition of a controlling stake in Signetics Corporation marked entry into semiconductors, broadening into integrated circuits amid the boom. By 1970, innovations included machinable for precision components and immobilized enzymes for biochemical applications, alongside the launch of dinnerware, a lightweight, durable vitrelle material that further penetrated household markets. The 1970s saw strategic pushes into environmental and telecommunications technologies amid regulatory and technological shifts. In response to the 1970 Clean Air Act mandating sharp reductions in vehicle emissions, Corning invested $100 million by 1974 to develop cellular ceramic substrates—cordierite-based honeycombs—for catalytic converters, enabling automakers to meet 90 percent cuts in hydrocarbons, , and oxides; this became a major revenue stream as the product standardized globally. Concurrently, 1965-initiated research yielded the 1970 invention of low-loss , capable of transmitting light signals over long distances with minimal , laying groundwork for fiber-optic networks despite initial commercialization challenges. These moves, including joint ventures like the 1973 partnership with for waveguides, reflected a shift toward high-tech materials, though overextension into ventures like medical diagnostics strained resources by decade's end.

Restructuring and Modern Focus (1981–Present)

In the early , Corning Glass Works initiated a major to refocus on high-growth technology sectors, divesting businesses that accounted for 17% of 1979 sales, reducing its workforce by over 1,000 employees in 1983, and implementing companywide cost reductions. Under CEO James R. Houghton, the company sold off marginal units generating $500 million in annual revenues between 1983 and 1989, including low-margin operations, to redirect resources toward and . By late 1981, Corning had invested more than $100 million in optical waveguides, positioning itself as a leader in infrastructure amid rising demand for fiber-optic technology. The saw continued strategic sharpening, with divestitures of consumer housewares like the majority stake in its consumer products division sold in while retaining an 11% interest, allowing greater emphasis on specialties such as display glass and emissions-control substrates. This period marked expansion into global partnerships, including joint ventures for pollution-control ceramics and LCD glass production, aligning with emerging markets in and environmental regulations. By the late , revenue had grown to $3 billion annually, fueled by telecom demand, though the company navigated acquisitions like its $125 million purchase of MetPath in 1981 to briefly enter diagnostics before refocusing. The early 2000s brought challenges from the dot-com bust and telecom overcapacity, leading to a 2001 restructuring that closed seven major manufacturing facilities and a stock plunge to $1 per share, alongside $2 billion in charges by 2002 for photonics writedowns. Recovery hinged on innovation in consumer electronics; in 2005–2006, Corning revived its chemically strengthened glass technology, developing Gorilla Glass in four months for thin, durable smartphone covers, debuting in the 2007 iPhone and generating billions in subsequent licensing revenue. From the 2010s onward, Corning solidified its modern portfolio across five segments—Optical Communications, Display Technologies, Specialty Materials (including iterations like Victus in 2020), Environmental Technologies, and Life Sciences—emphasizing high-value materials for telecom, displays, automotive emissions, and mobile devices. The 2015 Strategy and Capital Allocation Framework guided disciplined investments, share repurchases exceeding $2 billion by 2015, and acquisitions like 3M's $400 million communication markets division in 2017 to bolster fiber optics. This approach has sustained revenue growth into the 2020s, prioritizing R&D in durable, high-performance glasses amid globalization and tech demand cycles.

Technologies and Products

Optical Communications

Corning's Optical Communications segment develops and manufactures , cabling systems, connectivity solutions, and related technologies that form the backbone of global networks. The segment traces its origins to a pivotal 1970 breakthrough when scientists Robert Maurer, Donald Keck, and Peter Schultz at Corning produced the world's first low-loss , achieving of 16-17 decibels per kilometer using germania-doped silica , which fell below the 20 dB/km threshold needed for practical transmission. This innovation enabled the commercialization of fiber , with Corning producing its first optical cable in 1975 and deploying the initial commercial fiber for in 1977. Over five decades, the technology has evolved through multiple generations, starting with voice communication via single-mode fiber, progressing to data and video services in the 1990s with dispersion-shifted fibers that supported the dot-com bandwidth surge, and advancing to bend-insensitive and ultra-low attenuation fibers for denser, more efficient networks. By 2017, Corning had manufactured over 1 billion kilometers of optical fiber, underscoring its scale in enabling internet infrastructure, cloud computing, and global connectivity. In the optical fiber market, major competitors include Prysmian Group, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable (YOFC), Fujikura Ltd., and Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.. Current innovations include extreme-density fibers optimized for 5G, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality applications, alongside passive optical network (PON) technologies that facilitate scalable broadband expansion. Key products encompass flagship offerings like SMF-28 Ultra single-mode fiber, which complies with G.652.D standards, delivers industry-leading low , enhanced macrobend performance exceeding G.657.A1, and a 9.2 μm for compatibility across long-haul, metro, access, and fiber-to-the-home networks. Complementary solutions include optical cables for aerial, duct, and direct-buried installations, hardware such as connectors and terminals, and advanced platforms like GlassWorks AI for seamless optical-to-chip integration in hyperscale data centers. These components serve diverse markets, including carrier networks, enterprise data centers, indoor deployments, and rural initiatives, prioritizing energy efficiency and cost-effective scalability. The segment supports emerging demands in readiness and infrastructure through end-to-end systems that integrate wired and wireless elements.

Display Technologies

Corning's Display Technologies division specializes in manufacturing glass substrates for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels, which form the foundational layers enabling thin, lightweight, and high-resolution screens in televisions, monitors, laptops, and other devices. These substrates, produced via the company's proprietary fusion draw process, achieve exceptional flatness, dimensional stability, and surface quality without the need for polishing, allowing for larger sheet sizes and reduced defects compared to traditional float glass methods. The division supports the evolution toward larger, immersive displays and emerging flexible formats, contributing significantly to the global flat-panel display market. Key competitors in display glass, including for cover glass solutions like Gorilla Glass, include AGC Inc. (Dragontrail glass), Schott AG (Xensation glass), and Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd.. A cornerstone product is Corning EAGLE XG Glass, an alkali-free boro-aluminosilicate composition introduced in , designed specifically for active-matrix LCD substrates. EAGLE XG enabled the shift to thinner panels—down to 0.7 mm thickness in slim variants—facilitating ubiquitous adoption of flat-screen televisions, tablets, and slim computers by minimizing weight and material usage while maintaining high light transmittance and thermal stability up to 600°C for (TFT) processing. This glass contains no , aligning with environmental standards, and supports curved display formats by developing less stress under bending compared to thicker alternatives. Production occurs in high-generation fabrication facilities, such as 10.5G lines capable of yielding substrates up to 2.94 meters by 3.38 meters, critical for economy-of-scale of large panels. For OLED applications, Corning provides optimized substrates that accommodate the technology's requirements for lower-temperature processing and flexibility, including solutions for backplanes and encapsulation layers. In 2019, the company launched Corning Astra Glass, tailored for mid-to-large-size LCD and OLED displays, offering enhanced attributes like improved defect resistance and compatibility with high-resolution patterning for immersive viewing experiences in TVs and monitors. Advancing flexible display trends, Corning Willow Glass—available in ultrathin 50–100 micrometer sheets—supports roll-to-roll processing for foldable and curved OLED panels, providing mechanical durability and compatibility with both LCD and OLED architectures while enabling lighter, more portable devices. These innovations stem from ongoing R&D focused on glass composition, handling, and integration into multi-layer display stacks, where substrates serve roles in TFT arrays, color filters, and quantum dot enhancements.

Specialty Materials

The Specialty Materials segment of Corning Incorporated produces advanced glass, glass ceramics, and fluoride crystals, offering over 150 material formulations for applications including cover glass, display optics, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and dielectric coatings. These materials serve industries such as consumer electronics, aerospace, defense, and precision optics, emphasizing durability, optical clarity, and performance under extreme conditions. The segment's flagship product, Gorilla Glass, consists of chemically strengthened alkali-aluminosilicate sheet glass engineered for thinness, toughness, and scratch resistance in touch-enabled devices. Development of chemically strengthened glass traces back to Corning's 1960s Project Muscle, which produced an early version marketed as Chemcor for potential uses like eyeglasses and architectural panels, though initial commercial adoption was limited. The technology was reintroduced as in 2007, coinciding with the rise of smartphones, with its first major deployment in mobile consumer electronics that year. Subsequent iterations have enhanced properties: 3 launched in 2013 with improved scratch resistance via a native damage-resistant formulation; 5 in 2016 offered better drop performance; and Victus in 2020 provided twice the drop protection of its predecessor on rough surfaces. Recent advancements include 2, a transparent, strengthenable enabling thinner device form factors while maintaining enhanced drop performance. Gorilla Glass primarily protects displays in smartphones, tablets, wearables, and laptops, comprising the majority of the segment's output for consumer electronics. It undergoes an ion-exchange process post-fusion drawing, replacing smaller sodium ions with larger potassium ions to create compressive stress for impact resistance. Beyond consumer devices, segment products support aerospace and defense through specialized optics and rad-hardened materials, as well as industrial applications like radiation shielding glass. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Specialty Materials recorded sales of $515 million, reflecting a 9% year-over-year increase attributed to stronger demand for premium cover glass in mobile and automotive sectors.

Environmental Technologies

Corning's Environmental Technologies segment specializes in the development and production of advanced substrates and particulate filters designed to control emissions from mobile sources such as passenger vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, and off-road equipment like agricultural and construction machinery. These components form the foundational elements of control systems, enabling the neutralization of harmful gases and the capture of particles in exhaust streams. The segment traces its origins to the early 1970s, when Corning responded to the U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 by inventing the cellular ceramic substrate in 1971 using material extruded for catalytic converters, with commercial production beginning in Erwin, New York, in 1973. In 1978, the company developed the first cellular ceramic wall-flow particulate filter for diesel engines to remove , marking a pivotal advancement in particulate matter control. Since 1974, Corning has produced over 2 billion Celcor® and FLORA® substrates, expanding manufacturing to facilities in the United States, , and to meet global demand. Ceramic substrates facilitate catalytic reactions that convert pollutants like hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and into less harmful substances, with low-mass designs allowing faster activation—typically within 45-60 seconds of engine start. Particulate filters, applicable to both diesel and engines, physically trap particles as small as 10 nanometers, achieving up to 99% capture efficiency and operating immediately upon ignition without relying on catalytic warm-up. These products are engineered with varying cell densities, porosities, and configurations to optimize performance, fuel economy, and compliance with international emissions standards. Corning has invested more than $2 billion in its clean-air technologies over the past 45 years and holds over 1,000 related patents, contributing to a greater than 70% reduction in U.S. air pollutants since 1970 despite quadrupled economic growth. In diesel applications, these filters can reduce soot emissions from 560 grams to 2.8 grams over a 5,600-mile trip, supporting broader environmental goals by preventing billions of tons of pollutants and averting an estimated 230,000 premature deaths in the U.S. according to EPA analyses.

Life Sciences and Emerging Applications

Corning's Life Sciences segment manufactures and supplies consumables and tools essential for biological research, including surfaces, filtration devices, bioprocess containers, and extracellular matrices used in , diagnostics, and applications. These products, marketed under brands such as Corning, , Axygen, and , support workflows from basic labware like pipettes and flasks to specialized equipment for . The division has operated as a key supplier for over 90 years, emphasizing and biochemistry competencies to meet demands in academic, pharmaceutical, and settings. A cornerstone of Corning's life sciences portfolio is matrix, a solubilized extracted from the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor, rich in , IV, proteoglycans, and entactin. This formulation promotes cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation by replicating extracellular environments, enabling applications in 2D monolayers and 3D models for research, assays, and studies. Variants include growth factor-reduced and LDEV-free formulations to minimize batch variability and support human embryonic -qualified protocols. In emerging applications, facilitates advanced techniques, such as and generation, which better emulate tissue complexity compared to traditional 2D methods and are increasingly applied in , , and personalized models. Corning introduced Matrix-3D plates in 2020, providing pre-coated, ready-to-use formats that standardize formation and enhance reproducibility, thereby scaling output for high-volume screening in . The company has also broadened its bioprocess offerings to address and manufacturing, delivering single-use bioreactors, WAVE bags, and hyperstack vessels that enable scalable production from process development to commercial GMP compliance. Complementary expansions include the cellgro line of serum-free media and custom solutions, integrated in 2010 to bolster end-to-end capabilities. These innovations position Corning at the intersection of and , supporting transitions from exploratory research to therapeutic production amid rising demand for biologics.

Business Operations and Strategy

Research and Development

Corning Incorporated allocates significant resources to (R&D), reinvesting approximately 10 percent of its annual revenues to drive across its core markets. In , R&D expenses totaled $1.089 billion, supporting advancements in , particularly and ceramics for applications in displays, , and environmental technologies. This investment yielded over 2,000 new patents in 2023 alone, expanding the company's global portfolio to more than 13,000 active patents. The Sullivan Science and Technology Park in Corning, New York, serves as the company's primary R&D hub, hosting early-stage research, pilot operations, and a workforce of approximately 2,000 PhDs focused on fundamental materials discovery. Established as a cornerstone of Corning's innovation strategy, the facility emphasizes long-term, high-risk projects that have historically produced breakthroughs such as low-loss optical fiber and chemically strengthened glass. Complementing Sullivan Park, Corning maintains a network of specialized global laboratories for applied R&D, enabling region-specific prototyping and customer . These facilities accelerate commercialization by integrating insights from diverse markets, while the company's patent-intensive approach protects derived from sustained R&D efforts.

Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Corning Incorporated maintains a global manufacturing network comprising more than 77 facilities across over 30 countries, enabling localized production for its core segments including optical communications, display technologies, and specialty materials. This distributed footprint, supported by approximately 60,000 employees worldwide, facilitates proximity to key markets and customers while optimizing logistics for high-volume glass and ceramic products. Manufacturing operations emphasize precision processes such as fusion forming for and vapor deposition for , with facilities tailored to segment-specific needs like cleanrooms for life sciences applications. In , primary production hubs include the headquarters and research complex in , alongside specialized plants for and display glass. A new $900 million facility in , is scheduled to open by the end of 2025, focusing on advanced glass manufacturing to bolster domestic capacity amid rising demand for solar and components. Asia hosts the majority of Corning's capacity, particularly in where the company operates 21 manufacturing sites following investments exceeding $9 billion since the , including ongoing commitments of $500 million in 2025 for expansion in display and optical sectors. Taiwan features display glass plants in and , certified for zero-waste-to-landfill operations, while facilities in , such as for optical communications, support regional telecom infrastructure growth. European operations include a optical fiber manufacturing plant opened in Mszczonów, , in September 2022, designed to meet surging demand for high-speed connectivity with an initial capacity of 4.5 million kilometers of annually. Additional sites in and other EMEA locations handle life sciences and environmental technologies production. Corning's integrates digital tools, central distribution hubs, and 12 specialized service lines to enhance flexibility and speed, prioritizing fast-response value streams for volatile markets like . To mitigate risks, Corning enforces a supplier aligned with Responsible (RBA) standards, employing third-party analytics from Everstream for ongoing assessments of labor, , and geopolitical vulnerabilities. This framework addresses dependencies on raw materials like high-purity silica and rare earths, with emphasizing diversified suppliers to counter disruptions observed in global events such as the 2020-2022 supply constraints. Despite heavy reliance on Asian production, the company pursues regionalization to reduce lead times and exposures, as evidenced by U.S. and Polish expansions.

Acquisitions, Divestitures, and Partnerships

Corning Incorporated has pursued acquisitions to expand its capabilities in optical communications, life sciences, and specialty materials. In April 2012, the company agreed to acquire the majority of Becton Dickinson's Discovery Labware business, which generated approximately $235 million in annual sales and boosted Corning's Life Sciences segment revenues by 40%; the deal closed in November 2012. In February 2013, Corning acquired Bargoa S.A., Abengoa's Brazilian subsidiary focused on environmental technologies. The company obtained full ownership of Corning Precision Materials in January 2014, following Samsung Display's additional $400 million investment in convertible preferred shares. In January 2015, Corning acquired assets of NovaSol, a provider of systems, to enhance its Specialty Materials segment. In June 2018, Corning closed its acquisition of substantially all of 3M's Communication Markets Division for an undisclosed amount, adding about $400 million in annual sales from high-bandwidth optical products and expanding market reach in and . To streamline operations and focus on core technologies, Corning has divested non-strategic assets. In August 1997, it sold 89% of its Corning Consumer Products Company—encompassing brands like —for $975 million in cash to , retaining a minority stake; the deal later transitioned to Borden and ultimately Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in March 1998 for $583 million, effectively exiting the consumer housewares market. In June 2016, Corning completed a strategic realignment by exchanging its 50% interest in Corporation for a 40% stake in Group and approximately $4 billion in cash, shifting away from silicones toward materials. Corning maintains strategic partnerships to support product development and market expansion. It collaborates with Apple on Gorilla Glass innovations for iPhones, with Apple COO Jeff Williams highlighting Corning's critical role and U.S. manufacturing in 2019. In October 2024, AT&T signed a multi-year agreement with Corning for next-generation fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions to upgrade its network. In August 2025, Corning partnered with T1 Energy to supply purified polysilicon and solar wafers from its Michigan facility, aiding U.S. solar manufacturing. In September 2025, QuantumScape agreed with Corning for ceramic separator development and commercialization to enable scalable solid-state batteries. In May 2025, Corning partnered with Samsung for enhanced Gorilla Glass on Galaxy devices, aligning with trends in optical communications and solar technologies.

Financial Performance

Revenue Segments and Market Dynamics

Corning's revenue is primarily generated through five business segments: Optical Communications, Display Technologies, Specialty Materials, Environmental Technologies, and Life Sciences. In fiscal year 2024, ending December 31, the company achieved GAAP net sales of $13.12 billion, reflecting a 4.21% increase from $12.59 billion in 2023, while core sales reached $14.47 billion, up 7% year-over-year on an adjusted basis excluding foreign exchange and certain acquisitions. The Optical Communications segment, focused on fiber optic and connectivity products, contributed $4.66 billion in sales, a 16% rise, accounting for roughly 35% of total revenue and benefiting from surging for high-bandwidth solutions in infrastructure, , and AI-driven data centers. The Specialty Materials segment, encompassing durable cover glasses like for , generated $2.02 billion in sales, up 8% from 2023, driven by premium innovations and steady adoption in smartphones and wearables despite cyclical mobile market fluctuations. Display Technologies, which supplies glass substrates for LCD panels in televisions and monitors, maintained a significant share amid pricing pressures and a gradual industry shift toward alternatives, though exact 2024 figures highlight resilience in large-format applications. Environmental Technologies, producing ceramic substrates for diesel emission controls, reported $1.67 billion in sales, down 6%, pressured by softening heavy-duty diesel demand in key markets like and , compounded by the automotive industry's pivot to electric vehicles reducing reliance on catalytic converters. Life Sciences, offering labware and analytical tools, represents a smaller portion with modest growth, exemplified by Q4 2024 sales of $250 million up 3%, supported by expansions in biopharma and diagnostics but vulnerable to R&D spending variability. Market dynamics favor Optical Communications and Specialty Materials due to trends, with Corning's strategy targeting over $4 billion in additional annualized sales by 2026 through capacity expansions and product upgrades in these areas, offsetting environmental declines via diversification into electrification-compatible materials. Broader challenges include disruptions, raw material costs, and geopolitical tensions affecting global , though Corning's in provides competitive resilience.
Business Segment2024 Sales ($ billions)Year-over-Year Change
Optical Communications4.66+16%
Specialty Materials2.02+8%
Environmental Technologies1.67-6%

Historical Financial Milestones and Shareholder Returns

Corning Incorporated's shares have been publicly traded on the under the ticker GLW since at least the , with modern financial data tracking commencing around 1980. The company executed multiple stock splits to enhance liquidity, including a 2-for-1 split on February 13, 1985, and a 3-for-1 split on October 4, 2000, the latter coinciding with peak valuations during the expansion. Dividends have been a staple of returns, with quarterly payments increasing at a (CAGR) of 11% from 2015 to 2023, reaching $0.28 per share by 2025, yielding approximately 1.28% at prevailing prices. The late 1990s telecommunications boom propelled Corning's revenue and performance to extraordinary heights, driven by demand for . By 2000, exceeded $115 billion, reflecting aggressive acquisitions totaling over $10 billion in telecom-related assets. However, the 2001 dot-com bust triggered severe financial strain, with the stock price collapsing to $1 per share amid massive impairments and near-bankruptcy conditions, as excess inventory and canceled orders eroded profitability. This period marked a pivotal milestone, forcing divestitures and a strategic pivot away from over-reliance on . Post-bust recovery solidified in the mid-2000s through diversification into display technologies, particularly LCD glass substrates. Annual revenue climbed from $3.69 billion in 2003 to $9.71 billion by 2014, supported by partnerships in consumer electronics. By 2007, Corning achieved five consecutive years of improving financials, with net margins stabilizing. The 2010s saw further expansion via Gorilla Glass adoption in mobile devices, pushing revenue past $10 billion in 2017. More recently, fiscal 2024 revenue reached $13.12 billion, up 4.21% from 2023, bolstered by optical communications demand. In 2024, Corning launched its Springboard plan, targeting over $4 billion in additional annualized sales by 2026 alongside 20% operating margins, a goal upgraded from an initial $3 billion projection based on early execution in AI-driven fiber optics. Shareholder returns have compounded positively over decades despite volatility, with a total return of approximately 109 times an initial $1,000 investment from levels, equating to an 11.27% CAGR including dividends. Three-year total shareholder return through 2025 stood at 199%, driven by 90% one-year gains amid AI infrastructure tailwinds. Corning has retired about 48% of shares via buybacks, enhancing per-share value, while maintaining top-quartile dividend yields. Core hit records in Q2 2025 at $0.60, with year-over-year growth of 28%, underscoring resilient returns tied to materials cycles rather than speculative bubbles.

Leadership and Governance

Executive Leadership

Wendell P. Weeks serves as Corning Incorporated's Chairman, , and President, having assumed the CEO role in April 2005, Chairman in April 2007, and President in October 2025. Under his leadership, the company has emphasized growth through innovation in , particularly in optical communications and display technologies. Lewis A. Steverson holds the positions of Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President, and Chief Legal & Administrative Officer, advising the CEO and Board on legal, government affairs, and administrative matters. Edward A. Schlesinger has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2022, overseeing finance, investor relations, tax, and sustainability functions. In May 2025, Corning announced strategic leadership promotions following the retirement of Eric S. Musser as President and after 39 years of service. Avery Nelson III was appointed Executive Vice President and assumed the COO role, managing market-access platforms including automotive, life sciences, and solar segments. John Z. Zhang was named Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Development Officer, focusing on growth strategy and oversight of display, mobile consumer electronics, and life sciences platforms. Other senior executives include Dr. Jaymin Amin, Senior and since June 2022, leading efforts; Michaune D. Tillman, Senior and , heading the Department; and Stefan Becker, Senior of Finance and Corporate Controller since December 2021. The team collectively drives Corning's operations across five major segments: Optical Communications, Display Technologies, Specialty Materials, Environmental Technologies, and Life Sciences.
ExecutiveTitleKey Responsibilities
Wendell P. WeeksChairman, CEO & PresidentStrategic direction and overall growth
Lewis A. SteversonVice Chairman, EVP & Chief Legal OfficerLegal, government, and administrative oversight
Edward A. SchlesingerEVP & Financial strategy and
Avery Nelson IIIEVP & COOOperational management of market platforms
John Z. ZhangEVP & Chief Corporate Development Officer and segment oversight

Board of Directors and Corporate Governance

The of Corning Incorporated comprises 16 members, with 15 independent directors and Wendell P. Weeks as the sole non-independent member, serving concurrently as Chairman, President, and . Weeks assumed the CEO role on April 1, 2005, became Chairman on April 24, 2007, and was appointed President effective October 2025. The Board's composition emphasizes independence under SEC and NYSE standards, excluding directors with material relationships to the company, such as recent employment, executive family ties, or compensation exceeding $120,000 annually from Corning. Director qualifications prioritize relevant expertise in , , , and , alongside and availability for Board duties, with the Nominating and Committee seeking candidates reflecting diversity of background while ensuring a substantial remain independent. The Board meets at least four times annually, conducts executive sessions of non-employee directors, and performs annual self-evaluations of its performance and committees. Key responsibilities include overseeing management, selecting and evaluating the CEO, monitoring strategic plans, , and financial reporting . Standing committees include the , chaired by Leslie A. Brun with members such as Pamela J. Craig; the Compensation and Talent Management Committee, chaired by Brun with Stephanie A. Burns; the Executive Committee, also chaired by Brun; and the Nominating and Committee, which recommends director nominees and oversees governance policies. Audit and Compensation committees consist entirely of independent directors, with charters reviewed annually. Non-employee directors have unrestricted access to company employees and external advisors, guided by Corning's corporate values emphasizing ethical conduct and long-term shareholder interests. The Board size and structure are determined by recommendations from the Nominating Committee to balance expertise and effective participation.

Environmental Releases and Regulatory Compliance

Corning Incorporated reports its environmental releases primarily through mandatory disclosures such as the U.S. Agency's Toxics Release (TRI) for covered facilities and voluntary metrics for (GHG) emissions, water use, and waste. In , the company's Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions totaled 3.8 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent, reflecting operations across global manufacturing sites involving energy-intensive processes like melting and production. Corning has committed to reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% by 2028 from a 2021 baseline, with progress including a 130% increase in use since 2018 and the purchase of 247,156 MWh of green in , avoiding 91,196 tons of CO₂ equivalent. withdrawals were reduced by 483,632 cubic meters in , achieving a intensity drop of 100 liters per $1,000 revenue, while waste diversion from landfills reached 87% globally, exceeding the 2028 target of over 80%. The company maintains an Environmental Management System (EMS) aligned with ISO 14001 standards, with 97 sites certified as of 2024, enabling systematic identification of operational impacts and setting of improvement objectives. Corning has received multiple U.S. EPA recognitions for energy efficiency, including designation as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for the 10th consecutive year in 2023, with 37 facilities meeting or exceeding EPA's Challenge for Industry energy targets by 2020. These efforts support compliance with regulations like the Clean Air Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, though specific TRI chemical releases vary by facility; for instance, Corning's Integrated Die Manufacturing site in Painted Post, New York, has historically reported releases including metals and solvents. Despite these initiatives, Corning subsidiaries have faced regulatory enforcement for environmental noncompliance, particularly air emissions. Corning Pharmaceutical Glass LLC, a key producer of pharmaceutical packaging, incurred over $1.6 million in air pollution penalties across 21 cases from 2004 to 2025, enforced mainly by New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection, with notable fines including $285,450 in 2019 and $277,160 in 2025 for violations likely tied to volatile organic compounds and particulate matter from glass forming processes. Other environmental violations include a $129,314 penalty against Corning Inc. corporate headquarters in 2003 by Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection and a $56,368 fine for Integrated Die Manufacturing in 2013 by the EPA, totaling $261,188 across nine non-air cases since 2000. These incidents represent isolated lapses amid broader compliance, as Corning's overall penalty record remains modest relative to its scale, with no major recent federal EPA enforcement actions against core operations.
Violation TypeTotal PenaltiesNumber of CasesKey Examples
$1,661,41021Corning Pharmaceutical Glass LLC: $277,160 (2025, NJ-ENV); $285,450 (2019, NJ-ENV)
Other Environmental$261,1889Corning Inc. HQ: $129,314 (2003, PA-ENV); Integrated Die: $56,368 (2013, EPA)
Corning's emissions control products, such as ceramic substrates used in automotive diesel particulate filters, indirectly mitigate broader industrial but do not offset its own operational releases, which are managed through process optimizations and regulatory adherence. Third-party assurance verifies reported data on energy, GHG, water, and waste, aligning with frameworks like the and on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

Litigation, Settlements, and Ethical Issues

In 2023, Corning Incorporated settled a sex discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), agreeing to pay $120,000 to affected female process assistants (machine operators) at its Corning and Erwin, New York facilities. The suit, filed in December 2021, alleged that from at least 2018 to 2021, the company systematically failed to promote women while preferentially advancing male counterparts, violating Title VII of the ; the settlement also required Corning to implement anti-discrimination training, revise promotion policies, and report compliance to the EEOC for three years. A separate 2018 class action accused Corning of race and gender pay disparities, segregating Black and female employees into lower-paid roles, though its resolution details remain limited in public records. Corning resolved False Claims Act allegations in 2013 by paying $5.65 million to the U.S. Department of Justice, stemming from claims that between 2002 and 2007, the company knowingly submitted false certifications about the performance of optical components supplied for military applications, including night-vision devices and fiber-optic gyroscopes, which failed to meet specified standards. The whistleblower-initiated case highlighted internal knowledge of defects misrepresented to government contractors, prompting the settlement without admission of liability. Asbestos-related litigation has persisted due to historical exposure from products like insulating materials produced by Corning or affiliates such as , a former that filed for in 2005 amid over 200,000 claims. In 2015, Corning agreed to a $290 million settlement covering 11,800 claims, but an appeal delayed finalization, contributing to ongoing reserve contributions reported in annual filings exceeding hundreds of millions. The , funded partly through Corning's contributions via settlements totaling over $1.8 billion inclusive of insurance, has disbursed payments at varying percentages to claimants with verified diseases like . Antitrust enforcement actions include a 2020 settlement with the State of for $583,452, resolving allegations that Corning and its subsidiary engaged in bid-rigging and price-fixing for automotive glass components from 2004 to 2013. In Russia, the Federal Antimonopoly Service imposed a 47 million fine (approximately $500,000) in 2023, upheld in 2024, for anti-competitive agreements requiring cable manufacturers to purchase 85-100% of their from Corning, distorting market competition. Corning has pursued and defended numerous patent litigations, often aggressively enforcing in optical fibers and display glass. In 2025, it initiated U.S. International Trade Commission investigations against Chinese firms like Irico Display Devices and HKC for infringing LCD glass patents, seeking import bans. Ongoing suits include claims against Wilson Wolf Manufacturing (advanced in 2024 federal court), alleging baseless patent assertions against Corning's customers. Earlier settlements, such as with Fibercore Ltd. in 2005 over fiber patents, resolved infringement disputes without disclosed terms. These actions reflect Corning's strategy to protect core technologies amid global competition, though critics in some disputes have questioned the scope of assertions. Ethical concerns have arisen in compliance contexts, such as the False Claims Act resolution indicating lapses in product integrity reporting to government entities, and employment practices scrutinized in suits for potential systemic biases in advancement and compensation. In , a Corning was federally charged with stealing proprietary data from a DARPA-funded project for transfer to Chinese entities, though the incident was self-reported by the company and pertains to rather than institutional policy. No major corporate-wide ethical scandals, such as widespread or , have been substantiated in recent records, with securities class actions from the early telecom downturn ultimately dismissed after prolonged litigation.

Economic and Societal Impact

Innovations Driving Industry Progress

Corning's innovations in have fundamentally advanced , , and display manufacturing by enabling higher performance, durability, and scalability in glass-based technologies. The company's development of low-loss in 1970 revolutionized data transmission, achieving below 20 dB/km, which made long-distance, high-bandwidth communication feasible and laid the foundation for the global . This breakthrough, first commercialized in 1977 for telephone networks, has since supported the deployment of fiber-optic cables in submarine and terrestrial systems, handling the in data traffic driven by digital services. In consumer electronics, Corning's Gorilla Glass, a chemically strengthened alkali-aluminosilicate sheet glass, has become integral to touch-enabled devices since its introduction in 2007 for the first iPhone, providing superior scratch and impact resistance compared to soda-lime glass. Evolving through nine generations by 2023, Gorilla Glass has enabled thinner profiles—down to 0.4 mm—while maintaining strength via ion-exchange processes that compress the surface layer, reducing breakage rates in mobile devices and facilitating the proliferation of smartphones with larger, more responsive screens. Its adoption in over 6 billion devices underscores its role in enhancing device reliability and user interaction in an industry where screen damage accounts for significant repair costs. Corning's advancements in display glass technologies, including the fusion draw process refined since the mid-20th century, have driven the shift to larger, higher-resolution panels for televisions, monitors, and emerging flexible formats. Innovations such as ultra-thin, low-defect glass substrates support OLED and LCD production, enabling resolutions exceeding 8K and form factors for foldable devices, which have expanded market demand for immersive visual experiences in entertainment and professional applications. These developments, combined with ongoing collaborations like the 2025 Apple-Corning Innovation Center for precision glass, continue to address challenges in purity, uniformity, and scalability, propelling the display industry's transition to next-generation formats.

Workforce, Community Engagement, and Economic Contributions

Corning Incorporated employs approximately 54,800 people worldwide as of 2024, with a distributed across , , and administrative roles. About 65% of employees are engaged in production and activities, of which an estimated 58% are represented by labor unions. The company reported hiring 14,577 new employees in 2024 while achieving a voluntary turnover rate of 4.3%, alongside internal promotions totaling 2,111. Workforce reductions occurred in 2023, with approximately 1,000 positions eliminated globally, including around 200 in the area, as part of cost-management efforts amid market challenges. Corning supports through structured and employee volunteerism programs. In 2024, the company provided $10.8 million in charitable contributions to over 1,200 organizations, focusing on , , and cultural initiatives, particularly within 20-mile radii of its facilities. Programs such as Dollars for Doers, launched in 2018, match employee volunteer efforts by granting up to $10,000 annually per nonprofit based on logged hours, while the Matching Gifts initiative contributes $0.50 for every $1 donated by eligible U.S. employees, capped at $5,000 per employee per year. Employees volunteered 29,858 hours in 2024, supporting diverse nonprofits and aligning with goals for community vibrancy and equity. Economically, Corning contributes through job creation, capital investments, and local development, particularly in regions like , where it serves as a major employer. In 2025, the company announced expansions adding 132 jobs and investing between $170 million and $268 million in optical communications facilities in . A $900 million investment in a facility for solar components, recognized in 2025, is projected to generate additional manufacturing employment and stimulate regional supply chains. These initiatives, combined with ongoing R&D and production expansions in locations such as Pune, India (adding 100 jobs), underscore Corning's role in fostering industrial growth, though offset by periodic restructuring to align with demand cycles. The company's operations support broader economic multipliers, including supplier networks and contributions, though specific aggregate figures on taxes paid remain tied to varying global rates.

References

  1. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/company-profile.html
  2. https://investor.corning.com/governance/Governance-Overview/default.aspx
  3. https://www.zippia.com/corning-careers-2968/history/
  4. https://investor.corning.com/resources/investor-faqs/default.aspx
  5. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/corning
  6. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/innovation/culture-of-innovation/history-of-innovation-feature-article.html
  7. https://www.fastcompany.com/40493737/how-cornings-crash-project-for-steve-jobs-helped-define-the-iphone
  8. https://pestel-analysis.com/blogs/owners/corning
  9. https://www.studocu.com/en-us/document/georgia-gwinnett-college/project-management/corning-inc-case/53680633
  10. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/cornings-bid-to-ban-fiber-optic-equipment-gets-itc-scrutiny
  11. https://libguides.cmog.org/corning_incorporated/houghton
  12. https://archivesspace.cmog.org/agents/corporate_entities/38
  13. http://pyrexpassion.com/blog/where-it-all-began-the-history-of-corning-glass
  14. https://libguides.cmog.org/corning_incorporated/brooklyn_flint_glass
  15. https://www.bccresearch.com/company-index/profile/corning-inc/history
  16. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/24/corning-the-168-year-journey-from-pyrex-to-gorilla-glass.html
  17. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375213675_The_Rise_of_Corning_Glass_Works_1875-1908
  18. https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-025-00134-6
  19. https://www.corning.com/life-in-the-glass-age/en/history.html
  20. https://mitsloan.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2024-04/Corning%20Inc.GSC_.pdf
  21. https://www.nytimes.com/1975/09/14/archives/corning-glass-at-a-crossroads-change-at-corning-glass.html
  22. https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/economics-business-and-labor/businesses-and-occupations/corning-inc
  23. https://ceramics.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/April-2020_Feature.pdf
  24. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-11-24-fi-1888-story.html
  25. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/05/business/corning-to-cut-1000-employees.html
  26. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1991-05-12/cornings-class-act
  27. https://mitsloan.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2020-03/Corning%2520Inc.GSC_.IC_.pdf
  28. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB872102336939731500
  29. https://www.forbes.com/2002/06/19/0617corning.html
  30. https://seekingalpha.com/article/4830262-corning-then-vs-now-who-is-the-corning-of-2025-plus-
  31. https://www.corning.com/microsites/csm/gorillaglass/CGG_Timeline/2024_Gorilla%2520Glass_Product%2520Timeline.pdf
  32. https://www.corning.com/media/worldwide/global/documents/2020_Form_10K_FINAL.pdf
  33. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/company-profile/our-strategy.html
  34. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2015/07/corning-announces-2-billion-share-repurchase-program.html
  35. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2017/12/corning-to-acquire-substantially-all-of-3ms-communication-markets-division.html
  36. https://s203.q4cdn.com/212458750/files/doc_financials/2021/q4/10k21.pdf
  37. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/markets/Optical-Communications-Market.html
  38. https://www.corning.com/optical-communications/worldwide/en/home/products/fiber/optical-fiber-innovation.html
  39. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/innovation/culture-of-innovation/corning-celebrates-45-years-on-cutting-edge-with-optical-fiber.html
  40. https://historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=1333
  41. https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/corning-builds-a-moat-of-fiber-optic-cable
  42. https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/fiber-optics-market.asp
  43. https://www.corning.com/optical-communications/worldwide/en/home/products/fiber/optical-fiber-products/smf-28-ultra.html
  44. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/display-glass/products.html
  45. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/display-glass/products/eagle-xg-slim.html
  46. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/markets/Display-Market.html
  47. https://www.androidauthority.com/gorilla-glass-comparison-886866/
  48. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/display-glass/our-legacy/the-glass-that-changed-the-world.html
  49. https://abrisatechnologies.com/glass-materials/corning-eagle-xg/
  50. http://www.oled-a.org/corning-looks-to-105g-fabs-and-flexible-glass-for-growth_050619.html
  51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQJuskDyRGk
  52. https://investor.corning.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2019/Corning-Introduces-Corning-AstraTM-Glass-at-SIDs-Display-Week-2019/default.aspx
  53. https://www.oled-info.com/corning-oled
  54. https://sid.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/msid.1045
  55. https://www.corning.com/cala/es/products/display-glass/the-glass-stack.html
  56. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/corning-business-segments.html
  57. https://www.corning.com/gorillaglass/worldwide/en/a-look-behind-corning-gorilla-glass.html
  58. https://www.wired.com/2012/09/ff-corning-gorilla-glass/
  59. https://www.androidcentral.com/corning-gorilla-glass-explained
  60. https://www.corning.com/gorillaglass/worldwide/en/illustrated-history-of-gorilla-glass.html
  61. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/advanced-optics.html
  62. https://investor.corning.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2025/Corning-Reports-Strong-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2024-Financial-Results1-Marking-Successful-First-Year-of-Springboard-Plan/default.aspx
  63. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/environmental-technologies.html
  64. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/environmental-technologies/products.html
  65. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/environmental-technologies/corning-is-committed-to-cleaner-air/our-history.html
  66. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/environmental-technologies/corning-is-committed-to-cleaner-air/facts-and-figures.html
  67. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/the-progress-report/crystal-clear/cleaner-air-engineered-by-corning
  68. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/life-sciences.html
  69. https://ecatalog.corning.com/life-sciences/b2c/US/en/
  70. https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/corning-life-sciences/
  71. https://www.bionity.com/en/companies/1042933/corning-incorporated-life-sciences.html
  72. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/life-sciences/products/surfaces/matrigel-matrix.html
  73. https://ecatalog.corning.com/life-sciences/b2c/US/en/Surfaces/Extracellular-Matrices-ECMs/Corning%25C2%25AE-Matrigel%25C2%25AE-Matrix/p/corningMatrigelMatrix
  74. https://ecatalog.corning.com/life-sciences/b2c/US/en/Surfaces/Extracellular-Matrices-ECMs/Corning%25C2%25AE-Matrigel%25C2%25AE-Matrix/p/354277
  75. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/life-sciences/resources/stories/the-greater-good/corning-history-echoes-of-life-science-innovations-trailblazers.html
  76. https://www.selectscience.net/article/corning-introduces-matrigel-matrix-3d-plates-to-increase-consistency-in-3d-cell-culture
  77. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/life-sciences/applications/bioprocess-applications.html
  78. https://www.selectscience.net/article/corning-incorporated-expands-its-life-sciences-product-portfolio-to-include-cell-culture-media-and-custom-solutions
  79. https://www.youtube.com/user/CorningLifeSciences
  80. https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/GLW/corning/research-development-expenses
  81. https://investor.corning.com/why-invest/distinctive-capabilities/default.aspx
  82. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/innovation/culture-of-innovation/global-labs-culture-of-innovation-corning.html
  83. https://www.innovationleader.com/topics/articles-and-content-by-topic/ideation-prototyping-and-pilots/how-corning-focuses-rd-efforts-and-sources-ideas/
  84. https://www.the-leader.com/story/news/local/2025/02/14/corning-inc-building-new-900-million-solar-facility-in-michigan-updates/78454504007/
  85. https://investinchina.chinaservicesinfo.com/s/202507/21/WS687df986498edec913cdeac6/corning-makes-bold-bet-on-china.html
  86. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202505/08/WS681c132ba310a04af22be118.html
  87. https://www.corning.com/media/worldwide/Sustainability/Files/GlobalImpactReport/2024_Corning_Global_Impact_Report.pdf
  88. https://investor.corning.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2022/Corning-Opens-Optical-Fiber-Manufacturing-Plant-in-Poland-to-Meet-Growing-Demand-for-High-Speed-Connectivity-in-Europe/default.aspx
  89. https://scw-mag.com/news/1096-corning-incorporated/
  90. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/sustainability/processes/supply-chain-social-responsibility/governance.html
  91. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/sustainability/processes/supply-chain-social-responsibility.html
  92. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2012/04/news_center_news_releases_2012_2012041001.html
  93. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2012/11/news_center_news_releases_2012_2012110101.html
  94. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2013/02/news_center_news_releases_2013_2013022701.html
  95. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2014/01/news_center_news_releases_2014_2014011501.html
  96. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2015/01/specialtymaterials_news_center_news_releases_2015_2015012201.html
  97. https://investor.corning.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2018/Corning-Closes-Acquisition-of-3M-Communication-Markets-Division/default.aspx
  98. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/21/business/key-division-to-be-sold-by-corning.html
  99. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB888868710406012000
  100. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2016/06/corning-incorporated-completes-strategic-realignment-of-interest-in-dow-corning-corporation.html
  101. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/markets/Mobile-Consumer-Electronics-Market/apple-coo-highlights-corning-role.html
  102. https://investor.corning.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2024/ATT-and-Corning-Expand-Collaboration-with-Multi-Year-Purchase-Agreement/default.aspx
  103. https://ir.t1energy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/t1-energy-and-corning-deal-accelerates-made-america-solar
  104. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250930925539/en/QuantumScape-and-Corning-Announce-Agreement-for-Ceramic-Separator-Development-Commercialization
  105. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/corning-nyse-glw-partners-samsung-172326382.html
  106. https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/GLW/corning/revenue
  107. https://s203.q4cdn.com/212458750/files/doc_financials/2024/q4/2025-01-29-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-Earnings-Call-Presentation-with-Appendix.pdf
  108. https://telecomlead.com/telecom-equipment/corning-posts-4-rise-in-2024-revenue-thanks-to-ai-products-119843
  109. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/corning-inc-glw-q4-2024-071547483.html
  110. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2025/03/corning-upgrades-high-confidence-springboard-plan-to-now-add-more-than-4-billion-in-annualized-sales-and-to-achieve-operating-margin-of-20-by-end-of-2026.html
  111. https://www.stocksplithistory.com/corning/
  112. https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/GLW/corning/stock-splits
  113. https://investor.corning.com/why-invest/strong-financial-discipline/default.aspx
  114. https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/glw/dividend/
  115. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/13/business/disaster-at-corning-at-least-the-balance-sheet-is-strong.html
  116. https://companiesmarketcap.com/corning/revenue/
  117. https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/glw/revenue/
  118. https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/GLW/corning/stock-price-history
  119. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/assessing-corning-glw-valuation-following-190724506.html
  120. https://investor.corning.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2025/Corning-Announces-Outstanding-Second-Quarter-2025-Financial-Results1-Highlighted-by-Record-Core-Sales-and-Core-EPS/default.aspx
  121. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/company-profile/our-leadership.html
  122. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/company-profile/our-leadership/wendell-p--weeks.html
  123. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/company-profile/our-leadership/lewis-a--steverson.html
  124. https://investor.corning.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2025/Corning-President-and-Chief-Operating-Officer-Eric-Musser-to-Retire-Company-Announces-Strategic-Senior-Leadership-Promotions/default.aspx
  125. https://www.gurufocus.com/news/2823102/corning-incorporated-glw-announces-key-executive-changes
  126. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/company-profile/our-leadership/michaune-tillman.html
  127. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/company-profile/our-leadership/stefan-becker.html
  128. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/sustainability/governance.html
  129. https://www.corning.com/content/dam/corning/media/worldwide/Sustainability/Files/Corporate_Governance_Guidelines-February-2024.pdf
  130. https://investor.corning.com/governance/committee-composition/default.aspx
  131. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/sustainability/preservation/environmental-protection/environmental-policy.html
  132. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2023/03/corning-incorporated-named-energy-star-partner-of-the-year-for-10th-year-in-a-row.html
  133. https://investor.corning.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2020/Eight-Additional-Corning-Sites-Achieve-U.S.-EPA-Challenge-for-Industry-Energy-Goals/default.aspx
  134. https://enviro.epa.gov/envirofacts/tri/form-r/facility-dcn-details/14870CRNNGADDIA/1992
  135. https://violationtracker.goodjobsfirst.org/parent/corning-inc
  136. https://www.corning.com/microsites/corp-comm/corning-reports/2023-reports/downloads/corning-2023-sustainability-report.pdf
  137. https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/corning-pay-120000-settle-eeoc-sex-discrimination-case
  138. https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/2023/09/05/corning-inc-sex-discrimination-case-settlement-what-we-know/70699218007/
  139. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/corning-inc-hit-with-class-race-gender-bias-allegations-1
  140. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/new-york-based-corning-incorporated-pay-us-565-million-resolve-false-claims-allegations
  141. https://www.murphypllc.com/news/murphy-anderson-announces-5-65-million-settlement-of-false-claims-act-suit-against-corning-inc
  142. https://www.mesotheliomafund.com/asbestos-trusts/pittsburgh-corning/
  143. https://www.stargazette.com/story/money/2015/05/22/corning-inc-faces-asbestos-payments/27780687/
  144. http://www.corning.com/2019-annual-meeting/2018-annual-report/PDF/corning_incorporated-ar2018_0079.pdf
  145. https://www.law360.com/articles/1292475/corning-settles-calif-s-auto-part-bid-rigging-accusations
  146. https://www.akm.ru/eng/news/corning-paid-an-antitrust-fine-in-the-amount-of-47-million-rubles/
  147. https://ids.usitc.gov/case/8250
  148. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/cornings-patent-harassment-suit-against-rival-moves-forward
  149. https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Corning-Inc-and-Fibercore-Settle-Lawsuit/a4886
  150. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/minnesota/mndce/0:2020cv00700/185653/523/
  151. https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/2021/07/08/corning-scientist-illegal-business-china/7899159002/
  152. https://content.next.westlaw.com/Document/I12e721d153f211dbbd2dfa5ce1d08a25/View/FullText.html?contextData=%28sc.Default%29&transitionType=Default
  153. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/markets/Optical-Communications-Market/streamlined-connectivity/timeline-1970.html
  154. https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/gorilla-glass.htm
  155. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/08/apple-corning-to-manufacture-all-iphone-apple-watch-cover-glass-in-kentucky/
  156. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/24741/000143774924003735/glw20231231_10k.htm
  157. https://www.the-leader.com/story/news/local/2024/01/31/what-corning-inc-financial-report-says-about-job-cuts-2024-outlook/72407813007/
  158. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/community-impact/philanthropy-and-volunteerism/nonprofit-grants
  159. https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/community-impact/philanthropy-and-volunteerism/dollars-for-doers
  160. https://www.facebook.com/cityofhickory/posts/corning-to-expand-operations-in-trivium-with-plans-to-add-132-jobs-and-invest-17/1294796032692400/
  161. https://www.michiganbusiness.org/press-releases/2025/01/corning-business-facilities-2024-impact-awards/
  162. https://www.corning.com/emea/en/about-us/news-events/features/tax-impact.html
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.