LORDSTOWN, Ohio – Interior renovation work is now underway at Foxconn’s Lordstown plant – a project that stands to transform the facility from an automotive manufacturing factory into one that will accommodate production of components used in artificial intelligence technology.
According to documents filed with the Trumbull County Recorder’s office, Foxconn EV Property Development LLC on Aug. 15 submitted a notice that work “was about to begin on or materials are about to be furnished for an improvement” at the sprawling 6 million-square-foot plant.
The documents were prepared by global contractor Shimizu North America LLC, which describes its intent to “modernize [the] existing plant and complete expansions,” according to the filing. No additional details were available regarding the cost or scope of the project.
On Aug. 4, Foxconn announced that it had sold the Lordstown plant and equipment for $375 million to Crescent Dune LLC, an entity related to the Japanese firm SoftBank. Foxconn has said it would continue to operate inside the plant and act as a contract manufacturer to build components for SoftBanks’ Stargate project.
Stargate – a joint venture between SoftBank, Oracle and Open AI – has pledged to invest approximately $500 billion to accelerate development of artificial intelligence technology programs across the United States.
The contractor on the project, Shimizu North America, is a subsidiary of Shimizu Corp., which is headquartered in Tokyo. The engineering and construction company was established in 1804, according to its website.
Shimitzu’s North American operations are based in Atlanta. The subsidiary’s more recent projects include developing a new plant for Q & B Foods in Tennessee, a renovation for Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking in New York City and a Phase 2 project for a Nissei plant in Texas.
“After months of planning and negotiations, Shimizu North America is proud to kick off Foxconn’s exciting new project in Lordstown, Ohio,” the company announced on its LinkedIn page approximately one month ago.
Foxconn, which purchased the plant in 2022 with the intent to manufacture electric vehicles, has said the factory is an important part of its U.S. operations, and the decision to sell the facility is part of the company’s plan to expand into new business segments.
“This adjustment being made to our fixed assets will enable greater financial flexibility and operational efficiency for the company,” the company said Aug. 4. “Foxconn will be involved in the manufacturing of products for customers at the Lordstown facility.”
As of this posting, the Trumbull County Auditor’s office still lists Foxconn EV Property Development as the plant’s owner. The plant was previously owned by Lordstown Motors Corp., which acquired the factory after General Motors shut down operations there in 2019.