[Executive Corner] Smart Factory: Ushering in a New Era of Manufacturing
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By News Reporter
At LG Electronics, Better Life for All is more than a corporate vision or tagline – it’s a guiding principle that shapes everything we create. Central to our inclusive vision is a belief in universal design: the philosophy of crafting products and experiences to deliver convenience and comfort for everyone, regardless of age, gender or physical ability.
Committed to this philosophy, LG aims to go beyond functional innovation to provide unique lifestyle solutions that truly put people first. A deep understanding of our customers and the diverse environments in which they live is essential to this endeavor, which is why listening to the voice of the customer is such an integral part of our design process.
We have established systems to directly integrate real user feedback, especially from those with limited mobility – and seniors and children – into the product development stage. This includes operating an advisory group of people with disabilities and conducting in-depth usability testing. Both of these elements have proven instrumental in helping us to identify and minimize even the smallest points of user discomfort.
Designing with Empathy, Delivering with Purpose
Design at LG has always been about more than aesthetics. It’s about innovating with empathy to ensure usability, ease and enjoyment for all. For us, universal design is not just an outcome, but a mindset shared by all our teams – one that infuses human-centeredness into every decision, no matter how minor or inconsequential it may seem to someone looking in from the outside. From the first concept sketch to the final product experience, we view every touchpoint as an opportunity to make someone’s daily life simpler, safer and more enjoyable.
This approach requires us to design with people rather than for them. It challenges our teams to think beyond convention, to question what “easy to use” truly means and to continuously refine our technology to better meet and adapt to real human needs. When empathy is woven into the design process itself, innovation follows naturally. That is how we translate inclusivity from principle to practice.
Turning Philosophy into Practice: The Comfort Kit
Putting this philosophy into action, we launched the Comfort Kit – a series of affixable assistive kits designed to allow anyone to use our products easily, regardless of their gender, age or physical condition.
Some examples:
Easy Handle: Enables users with limited hand mobility to open washers and dryers with minimal effort.
Easy Ball: Helps those with reduced finger dexterity to manipulate control dials with ease.
Easy Hanger: Allows people using wheelchairs, or those who are shorter than average, to interact comfortably with the LG Styler.
Rotating Shelf: Improves refrigerator usability by making it easier to access hard-to-reach items. We have presented inclusive design solutions that improve the usability of existing products, becoming the first in the home appliance industry to introduce 14 accessibility-enhancing kits. These Comfort Kit series, designed to remove the “one-size-fits-some” barrier that many customers have long faced, are also sustainably manufactured – reflecting our commitment to protecting the planet.
Recognition Beyond Design
Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. Globally, we are recognized as a model company for inclusive design.
We’ve shared our accessibility technologies and design philosophy at forums such as the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, where the Comfort Kit series was welcomed by both consumers and organizations advocating for underrepresented communities.
We also showcased this work at important global exhibitions such as IFA and CES. Our dedication to good design earned us the “Design Awards Grand Slam” – winning top honors at all three major global design awards, Red Dot, iF, and IDEA.
These accolades matter to us, but more importantly, they reflect our deep conviction that inclusive design is not just a feature – it’s a responsibility.
Designing for a Better Tomorrow
For us at LG, realizing the Better Life for All vision means creating unique products and experiences that feel right for everyone, and can be enjoyed by anyone. We will continue to advance accessibility so that all customers can take advantage of everything that our products and services have to offer. No caveats or compromises, only convenience and comfort.
By Sooyeon Kim, head of HS & ES Design Lab at LG Electronics
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By News Reporter
As we celebrate LG’s 35-year journey in Indonesia, I am filled with both gratitude and optimism for what lies ahead. Our presence in this vibrant nation has been more than a business story – it has been a partnership built on shared growth, innovation and resilience.
Aligning With Indonesia’s Industrial Vision for Sustainable Growth
Indonesia’s manufacturing sector continues to be a vital driver of national progress, contributing between 17 and 20 percent of the country’s GDP and employing more than 20 percent of the workforce. The Industrial Services Roadmap 2025–2045 sets out a bold vision to expand industry, create future-ready jobs and integrate technology with sustainability – an ambition that closely aligns with LG’s own values and long-term direction.
Vice Minister of Industry Mr. Faisol Riza highlighted that in 2024, Indonesia’s Manufacturing Value Added (MVA) reached USD 265.07 billion (Rp 4,349 trillion), ranking 13th globally and first in Southeast Asia. This strong performance reflects the growing competitiveness of Indonesia’s industrial base and its crucial role in ensuring economic resilience.
Further underscoring this momentum, the Industrial Confidence Index (IKI) for September 2025 stood at 53.02, signaling continued expansion across 21 of 23 manufacturing subsectors, which together account for nearly 98 percent of non-oil and gas manufacturing GDP. Optimism about the coming months remains high – driven by confidence in policy direction, innovation and industrial strength.
Over Three Decades of Milestones: Building a Fully Integrated Operation
At LG, we are proud to have grown alongside Indonesia, becoming a trusted partner in its industrial and technological transformation. Over the past three and a half decades, we have invested in local capabilities, championed innovation and embedded sustainability into every aspect of our operations – all to enhance lives and strengthen industries.
Our manufacturing facilities in Tangerang and Bekasi produce a wide range of products, from refrigerators and washing machines to monitors, commercial displays and televisions – serving both domestic and regional markets. Last month, we expanded our production capabilities through a strategic partnership in air conditioner manufacturing, operated by a partner company. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing Indonesia’s industrial ecosystem.
With a network of over 190 service centers across the archipelago and strong collaborations with local distributors and partners, we ensure that LG products and services reach customers in every region.
Today, our locally self-sufficient operation – spanning R&D, manufacturing, marketing and customer care – empowers more than 4,000 local talents and supports national priorities such as Making Indonesia 4.0 and the Industrial Services Roadmap. Together, we are driving continuous innovation, operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
Beyond Business: Empowering Communities and Driving Inclusive Growth
Our commitment to Indonesia goes well beyond business. Through our CSR platform, LG Loves Indonesia, we focus on sustainability, education and community well-being to create meaningful and lasting impact.
Under LG Loves Green, we promote energy-efficient living and environmental responsibility – planting 32,000 trees and supporting recycling initiatives for fabric, food waste and e-waste to raise public and youth awareness.
LG Loves Children enhances early childhood literacy in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Culture, publishing and distributing two series of LG Children’s Books nationwide. We also established three libraries in low-literacy regions, each offering more than 350 curated titles to inspire learning.
Through LG Loves School, we help vocational students build practical skills for future careers by upgrading school labs with LG products and training tools.
Meanwhile, LG Loves and Cares supports local communities through initiatives like Lebaran Sehat, which provides food packages during festive seasons, as well as product donations that improve daily living standards.
Each of these initiatives reflects our belief that true progress must be inclusive – empowering individuals and uplifting communities across Indonesia.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Future of Sustainable Growth
As we look toward the future, LG’s dedication to Indonesia remains steadfast. We deeply value the trust and partnership we have built with the government, industry peers and the Indonesian people. Our approach – anchored in local manufacturing excellence, technology transfer and environmental stewardship – demonstrates our long-term commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.
Together, under the shared spirit of Life’s Good, we will continue to create a better, more sustainable tomorrow for all.
Contributed by Ha Sang-chul, president of LG Indonesia
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By News Reporter
Tucked in the heart of Tennessee, LG’s smart factory is a modern marvel – designed for speed, precision and innovation. At the helm is Charles Lonergan, Manufacturing Director, whose steady leadership keeps this high-tech operation running smoothly. We spent a day with Charles to learn more about his role, the technology behind the factory and what it takes to lead one of LG’s most advanced production sites.
From Inspection to Innovation: A Day in the Life
Charles oversees the production of LG’s front load washers, top load washers, dryers and the sleek WashTower. His day starts the same way, every day – with a walk across the factory floor.
“Each day starts with a walk-through,” he says. “We check equipment, review workflow and make sure everything’s set to hit our production targets.” Mornings are all about quality. Charles and his team review every production line to ensure each unit meets LG’s standards. As the day goes on, meetings shift focus to what’s ahead: upcoming products, refining processes and tracking performance metrics. “No two days are exactly the same,” Charles says. “But the goal always is – run better, solve faster and never stop improving.”
A Fully Integrated Manufacturing Ecosystem
One of the things that makes this plant unique is how much happens under one roof. From injection molding and metal stamping to painting and packaging, nearly every part of the process is handled on-site.
“This level of vertical integration gives us complete control over quality and timing,” Charles explains. Take the unmanned logistics warehouse, for example – it stores large, molded components and uses smart trolleys to move them through the facility. The system tracks inventory, controls curing time and ensures parts arrive at the next station right when they’re needed.
High-Tech Meets Hands-On Training
With a factory powered by automation – Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and AI-based inspection tools – keeping everything running smoothly takes serious know-how.
“To support all this tech, we built hands-on training programs from the ground up,” Charles says. “That’s been key to stabilizing operations and helping our team work confidently with advanced systems.” Ongoing training is a must, especially in an industry where technology keeps evolving. The Tennessee team is making sure its skills evolve just as quickly.
Quality Built Into Every Step
At this factory, quality isn’t a final check – it’s built into every phase. The team uses a three-stage process: raw material checks, 100 percent inspection of each unit for function and appearance, and final sampling before shipment. AI vision systems help verify precise fastening. Multi-camera setups monitor each unit’s key checkpoints. These technologies help catch errors early, before they become issues down the line.
Innovation From Day One
This factory was built to be smart from the start. That gave Charles and his team the chance to design workflows around automation and robotics – rather than adding them later. Robots handle complex or physically demanding tasks. AGVs and AMRs navigate the space using QR codes and LiDAR. Workers, meanwhile, focus on higher-value responsibilities, making the whole operation more efficient and safer. “Robotics aren’t just for show,” says Charles. “They’re woven into our everyday workflow.”
Pride in Progress: From Construction to High-Volume Production
Charles has been with the Tennessee plant since day one – literally.
“I’ve been here since before the first wall went up,” he says. “Now we’re producing over 300 units per hour. That’s something to be proud of.” The journey hasn’t always been easy – ramping up operations and fine-tuning quality took time. But every challenge helped the team grow stronger and more agile. “Continuous improvement is just how we operate,” Charles says. “We’re always thinking about what’s next.”
Work, Life and Balance
Leadership at this level is demanding – but Charles makes it a point to protect his time, both at work and at home. “I rely on daily planning, time-blocking and a strong support system,” he says. “Time with family is just as important as hitting production goals. You can’t give your best at work if things aren’t balanced outside of it.”
Looking Ahead
Charles’s story is part of a bigger picture – LG’s commitment to smarter, more sustainable manufacturing. With his eye on the future and a passion for progress, Charles is helping lead LG’s Tennessee Smart Factory into a new era of intelligent production.
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