Corning Incorporated is a diversified technology company specializing in materials science and manufacturing. The company operates in several key segments, producing a wide range of products including network components, glass substrates, advanced optics, ceramic substrates, and laboratory supplies . Corning's offerings are integral to various industries, from telecommunications and consumer electronics to environmental and life sciences . Additionally, the company is involved in solar and semiconductor products through its Hemlock and Emerging Growth Businesses .
- Optical Communications - Develops and supplies carrier and enterprise network components, playing a crucial role in telecommunications infrastructure .
- Display Technologies - Manufactures glass substrates used in flat panel displays, essential for consumer electronics .
- Specialty Materials - Produces advanced materials such as Corning® Gorilla® Glass and advanced optics, catering to consumer electronics and other high-tech applications .
- Environmental Technologies - Creates ceramic substrates and filters for emissions control, supporting environmental sustainability efforts .
- Life Sciences - Provides laboratory products that are vital for scientific research and healthcare industries .
- Hemlock and Emerging Growth Businesses - Engages in the production of solar and semiconductor products, contributing to renewable energy and technology sectors .
You might also like
| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wendell P. Weeks ExecutiveBoard | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | Director at Amazon.com, Inc.; Trustee at Corning Museum of Glass | Joined Corning in 1983; became CEO in 2005 and Chairman in 2007. Extensive leadership in innovation and business growth. | View Report → |
Avery H. Nelson III Executive | Senior Vice President and General Manager, Automotive, Life Sciences & Solar | None | Joined Corning in 1991; held multiple leadership roles across divisions, including Gorilla Glass and Environmental Technologies. | |
Edward A. Schlesinger Executive | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | None | Joined Corning in an unspecified year; currently CFO. No external roles or detailed achievements listed in documents. | |
Eric S. Musser Executive | President and Chief Operating Officer | None | Joined Corning in 1986; held various leadership roles, including General Manager of Optical Fiber and President of Corning International. | |
John Z. Zhang Executive | Senior Vice President and General Manager, Corning Glass Innovations & Corning Asia | None | Joined Corning in 2008; led Strategy & Corporate Development and Display Technologies before his current role. | |
Michael P. O’Day Executive | Senior Vice President & General Manager, Optical Communications | None | Joined Corning in 1998; held roles in strategy, marketing, and product line management before becoming SVP of Optical Communications in 2024. | |
Daniel P. Huttenlocher Board | Director | Board Member at Amazon.com, Inc. | Joined Corning's Board in 2015; Dean of MIT Schwarzman College of Computing; expertise in technology innovation and AI. | |
Deborah A. Henretta Board | Director | Director at American Eagle Outfitters, Meritage Homes Corporation, and NiSource, Inc. | Joined Corning's Board in 2013; former P&G executive; expertise in global operations, marketing, and governance. | |
Deborah D. Rieman Board | Director | None | Joined Corning's Board in 1999; former CEO of Check Point Software; expertise in IT security and innovation. | |
Leslie A. Brun Board | Director | Chairman & CEO of Sarr Group LLC; Co-founder & CEO of Ariel Alternatives, LLC; Director at Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | Joined Corning's Board in 2018; extensive financial expertise and leadership experience in governance and business development. | |
Mark S. Wrighton Board | Director | Chancellor Emeritus at Washington University in St. Louis; President of George Washington University (on sabbatical) | Joined Corning's Board in 2009; academic leader with expertise in chemistry and materials science. | |
Pamela J. Craig Board | Director | Director at 3M Company, Merck & Co., Inc., and The Progressive Corporation | Joined Corning's Board in 2021; former CFO of Accenture; expertise in finance, governance, and business transformation. | |
Robert F. Cummings Jr. Board | Director | None | Joined Corning's Board in 2006; retired Vice Chairman of Investment Banking at JPMorgan Chase; expertise in finance and strategic growth. | |
Stephanie A. Burns Board | Lead Independent Director | Director at HP Inc. and Kellanova | Joined Corning's Board in 2012; former CEO of Dow Corning Corporation; expertise in innovation, governance, and sustainability. | |
Thomas D. French Board | Director | Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company | Joined Corning's Board in 2023; extensive experience in strategic planning, digital transformation, and governance. |
-
In the competitive optical market where other suppliers are introducing smaller diameter fiber cables and high-density connectors, how does Corning intend to sustain its unique value proposition for Gen AI solutions, and can you specify how much of your optical revenue will come from customized solutions versus standard components?
-
With gross margins showing strong sequential and year-over-year growth, what are the exact drivers behind this trend, and how do you plan to maintain or improve gross margins in the face of potential cost pressures or market fluctuations?
-
Historically, your optical communications net income margin has averaged 13%; looking forward, what strategies or market conditions would allow you to significantly exceed this margin, and is there a target margin level you aim to achieve?
-
Regarding your $8 billion SpringBoard opportunity by 2026, can you provide a detailed breakdown of expected revenue contributions from the Carrier and Enterprise segments, and elaborate on the anticipated revenue impact of the Lumen agreement over the next couple of years?
-
As the Enterprise segment becomes a larger part of your optical communications portfolio, how do the margins in Enterprise compare to those in the Carrier segment, and what steps are you taking to optimize profitability across both segments amidst shifting business compositions?
Research analysts who have asked questions during CORNING INC /NY earnings calls.
Asiya Merchant
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
6 questions for GLW
John Ezekiel Roberts
Mizuho Securities
6 questions for GLW
Wamsi Mohan
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
6 questions for GLW
George Notter
Jefferies
5 questions for GLW
Mehdi Hosseini
Susquehanna Financial Group
4 questions for GLW
Samik Chatterjee
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
4 questions for GLW
Steven Fox
Fox Research
4 questions for GLW
James Cannon
UBS Securities
2 questions for GLW
Joe Cardoso
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
2 questions for GLW
Josh Spector
UBS Group
2 questions for GLW
Matthew Niknam
Deutsche Bank
2 questions for GLW
Meta Marshall
Morgan Stanley
2 questions for GLW
Timothy Long
Barclays
2 questions for GLW
Joshua Spector
UBS
1 question for GLW
Martin Yang
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
1 question for GLW
Competitors mentioned in the company's latest 10K filing.
| Company | Description |
|---|---|
Our principal competitors in the Optical Communications Segment include this company, which is part of a competitive landscape characterized by industry consolidation, pricing pressure, and competition for the innovation of new products. | |
Prysmian Group S.p.A. | This company is one of our principal competitors in the Optical Communications Segment, where we maintain a leadership position despite competitive conditions such as industry consolidation and pricing pressure. |
AGC Inc. | In the Display Technologies Segment, this company is one of our principal competitors in the highly competitive environment for high-performance display glass substrate products. |
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. | This company is a principal competitor in both the Display Technologies Segment and the Specialty Materials Segment, where we compete in a very competitive environment for high-performance display glass substrate products and materials science capabilities. |
Schott AG | In the Specialty Materials Segment, this company is one of our principal competitors, where we leverage our deep capabilities in materials science and optical design. |
Heraeus | This company is a principal competitor in the Specialty Materials Segment, where we meet the needs of a broad array of markets with our materials science capabilities. |
NGK Insulators, Ltd. | In the Environmental Technologies Segment, this company is a principal competitor, where we maintain a strong position in the worldwide market for automotive ceramic substrate and filter products. |
Ibiden Co., Ltd. | This company is one of our principal competitors in the Environmental Technologies Segment, where we have a competitive advantage in automotive ceramic substrate products for catalytic converters and filter products. |
In the Life Sciences Segment, this company is a principal competitor, where we emphasize product quality, global distribution, and supply chain efficiency. | |
This company is one of our principal competitors in the Life Sciences Segment, where we maintain a competitive advantage through a broad product line and superior product attributes. | |
Greiner AG | In the Life Sciences Segment, this company is a principal competitor, where we focus on technical support and superior product attributes. |
Eppendorf SE | This company is one of our principal competitors in the Life Sciences Segment, where we emphasize product quality and global distribution. |
Sarstedt AG & Co. KG | In the Life Sciences Segment, this company is a principal competitor, where we maintain a competitive advantage through supply chain efficiency and a broad product line. |
This company is one of our principal competitors in the Life Sciences Segment, where we emphasize superior product attributes and technical support. |
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for GLW.
- Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) and Ensurge (OSE: ENSU) signed a joint development agreement to integrate Corning’s Ribbon Ceramic materials with Ensurge’s solid-state microbattery architecture, targeting ultra-high energy density performance.
- The partnership focuses on commercializing batteries for high-volume consumer, medical, industrial, and defense applications by combining Corning’s materials science leadership with Ensurge’s thin-film roll-to-roll production expertise.
- The agreement lays the groundwork for a new product line extension, accelerating the go-to-market timeline for next-generation AI-enabled and smart devices.
- Reported sales of $4.27 billion (+14% y/y) and EPS of $0.67 (+24% y/y); operating margin expanded to 19.6%, ROIC to 13.4%, and free cash flow was $535 million in Q3 2025.
- Since launching the Springboard plan in Q4 2023, Corning has grown sales 31%, expanded operating margin by 330 bps, and increased EPS 72%, adding $4 billion of incremental annualized sales; Q4 2025 sales are guided to $4.35 billion and operating margin is expected to reach 20%, a year ahead of plan.
- Optical Communications sales rose 33% to $1.65 billion, driven by enterprise networks growth of 58% to $831 million (annualized $3.3 billion) and net income up 69% to $295 million on strong GenAI–driven demand.
- Specialty Materials delivered sales of $621 million (+13%) and net income of $113 million (+57%) on premium mobile cover glass; Apple committed $2.5 billion to U.S. production at Harrodsburg and will open a co-innovation center there.
- Emerging growth (solar) segment sales increased 46%, with the new ingot and wafer facility in Hemlock, MI, coming online in Q3; over 80% of capacity is committed for the next five years, and wafer output is set to exceed 1 million units/day in Q4.
- Q3 Core Sales of $4.27 B, up 14% YoY, with Core EPS of $0.67, up 24% YoY
- Core operating margin of 19.6%, up 130 bps YoY
- Optical Communications net sales of $1.65 B, up 33% YoY, and net income of $295 M, up 69% YoY
- Q4 2025 outlook: Core Sales of ~$4.35 B and Core EPS of $0.68–$0.72
- Hemlock & Emerging Growth sales rose 46% YoY to $364 M; new solar wafer facility came online in Q3 with >80% capacity committed
- Corning posted Q3 sales of $4.27 billion (↑14% y/y) and EPS of $0.67 (↑24% y/y); operating margin expanded 130 bps to 19.6% and free cash flow reached $535 million.
- For Q4, the company expects sales of $4.35 billion (↑12% y/y), EPS of $0.68–$0.72, and to achieve a 20% operating margin a year ahead of plan.
- Optical Communications led growth with 33% y/y sales to $1.65 billion, including 58% y/y enterprise segment growth to $831 million and acceleration in carrier fiber and cable systems.
- The solar and emerging growth segment saw a 46% y/y sales increase, with over 80% capacity committed for the next five years and a target of $2.5 billion in solar revenues by 2028.
- Core sales grew 14% YoY to $4.27 billion; core EPS increased 24% to $0.67; GAAP sales were $4.10 billion and GAAP EPS was $0.50.
- Core operating margin expanded 130 bps to 19.6%; GAAP operating cash flow was $784 million; adjusted free cash flow was $535 million.
- Q4 guidance: core sales of ~ $4.35 billion, core EPS of $0.68–0.72; expects to reach 20% core operating margin in Q4, a year ahead of plan.
- Optical Communications enterprise sales jumped 58% YoY on strong Gen AI adoption; Apple committed $2.5 billion to produce all iPhone and Watch cover glass at Corning’s Kentucky facility.
- T1 Energy Inc (NYSE: TE) entered into a SAFE to acquire a minority equity stake in Talon PV LLC, a developer of a 4.8 GW TOPCon solar cell fab in Baytown, Texas.
- T1 is advancing its own 5 GW G2_Austin solar cell facility in Rockdale, Texas, expected to come online in Q4 2026, while Talon's plant aims for commercial availability in Q1 2027.
- Both projects will produce TOPCon solar cells using quantum tunneling technology, supported by U.S. incentives under the OBBBA and 45X tax credits.
- The investment complements T1's existing 5 GW G1_Dallas solar module facility and long-term supply deal with Corning for polysilicon and wafers.
- T1 Energy reported a net loss of $32.8 million, or $0.21 per share, for Q2 2025 (versus a $27.0 million loss, or $0.19 per share, in Q2 2024) and held $46.7 million in cash and equivalents at June 30, 2025.
- The Company signed a transformative agreement to purchase solar wafers from Corning and secured a 437 MW sales deal with a major U.S. utility, leaving it sold out for 2025 based on the low end of its 2.6 GW production plan.
- Production at G1_Dallas surpassed 1 GW cumulatively in Q2 and reached 1.2 GW of module output during 2025, driving strong commercial momentum.
- T1 Energy maintained full-year 2025 EBITDA guidance of $25–50 million, while acknowledging risks skewing toward the low end of the range.
- Corning and T1 Energy have formed a strategic partnership to establish a fully domestic U.S. solar supply chain—spanning polysilicon, wafers, cells, and panels—targeting production in H2 2026.
- The initiative addresses the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which limits federal clean energy tax credits to components free of foreign entities of concern, notably China (over 90% wafer market share).
- Production will leverage Corning’s Michigan manufacturing facility and T1’s Texas cell and panel sites, supporting nearly 6,000 American jobs.
- T1 Energy delayed its Q2 earnings release and 10-Q filing to review an $11.2 million non-cash amortization of customer contracts.
- Corning entered into a new $1.5 billion revolving Credit Agreement dated July 28, 2025, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, replacing its existing June 6, 2022 facility.
- Borrowings are available in USD, GBP, JPY, and EUR up to $1.5 billion, with an accordion feature to increase commitments by up to $500 million subject to lender consent.
- Interest rates are Term SOFR (or other benchmark rates) plus a margin of 0.690%–1.125%, or a base rate plus 0%–0.125%, with margins adjusting based on Corning’s unsecured debt ratings.
- The facility matures on July 28, 2030, and may be extended for up to two additional one-year periods on Corning’s request and lender approval.
- Includes customary affirmative and negative covenants—such as quarterly reporting, a consolidated debt-to-capital ratio ≤0.60, limits on liens and subsidiary indebtedness—and is unconditionally guaranteed by Corning.
- Corning delivered record Q2 sales of $4.0 billion (+12% YoY) and EPS of $0.60 (operating margin 19%, +160 bp; free cash flow $451 million, +28%).
- At the midpoint of its SpringBoard plan, annualized sales run rate is up 24% (+$3.1 billion), operating margin has expanded 270 bp to 19%, EPS is +54%, and ROIC +430 bp since launch.
- Q3 guidance calls for $4.2 billion sales and EPS of $0.63–$0.67, reflecting continued double-digit growth, tariff headwinds of ~$0.01–$0.02, and ramp costs of $0.02–$0.03 per share.
- Key growth drivers include GenAI demand (enterprise sales +81% YoY; scale-up fiber opportunity 2–3× existing $2 billion business), a DCI fiber system with Lumen reserving 10% capacity, and reentry into solar targeting a tripling of run rate by 2027 (+$1.6 billion).