Tim Cook explains why Apple is investing heavily in Corning’s glass factory

apple CEO Tim Cook told CNBC’s Jim Kramer why his company invested $2.5 billion to make glass CorningKentucky Factory praises the company’s technology.

“This is where we put it,” Cook said of his investment in Corning. “I’m very confident in it because when you see innovation, when you see costs, when you see quality, these are everything that is the factor in our decisions – this is a great place.”

Apple announced a noble investment last month, saying that all glass on the iPhone and Apple Watch will be manufactured at the Corning facility. Corning has been associated with Apple for many years. The manufacturer’s glass has been used on iPhones since its first iteration in 2007.

He particularly pointed out the strength of Corning’s “ceramic shield” technology.

According to Corning CEO Wendell Weeks, the newer version of the ceramic shield is 50% stronger than the first version. Weeks spoke with Cramer and Cook on Friday, and he said Apple’s investment would increase the factory’s workforce by 50%.

“This will become the world’s leading manufacturing site for producing highly specialized glass,” Weeks said. “We’re going to triple production.”

To cook, the domestic manufacturing will help create a “hub of economic activity in various locations,” and the factories themselves will not only create jobs, but also strengthen local businesses. For a few weeks, he agreed, suggesting that Corning views business as a “social contract” with the community. He spoke about the evolution in the Kentucky factory innovation since it opened in 1952.

“When you walk around the factory, you’ll see people who are the third generation Corning employees at this factory,” Weeks said. “But what people are doing today has nothing to do with what my grandfather did.”

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Disclaimer CNBC Investing Club Charitable Trust owns shares in Apple.