LG ANNOUNCES “THREE YEAR PLEDGE” FOR OS UPDATES
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By News Reporter
Company to Leverage Lighthouse Factory Expertise
to Develop Future-Oriented Business Models
SEOUL, July 18, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is advancing its smart factory solutions business by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation (DX) with its extensive 66-year history of manufacturing and production expertise.
The Ultimate Fusion of AI and Manufacturing Capabilities
Earlier this year, LG officially entered the smart factory solutions market. The Production engineering Research Institute (PRI), which has been enhancing production and manufacturing competitiveness for LG Group affiliates, is now extending its expertise to external clients. Services offered include production consulting, development of equipment and operation systems and training for technology personnel.
Despite being in its inaugural year, the business has already achieved significant milestones. PRI anticipates securing orders worth approximately KRW 200 billion from external clients for its smart factory solutions.
Major clients include secondary battery manufacturers, automotive parts manufacturers and logistics companies. LG plans to aggressively expand into industries with rapidly growing factory demand, such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and food and beverage. The goal is to develop the smart factory solutions business into a multi-trillion KRW enterprise by 2030, excluding revenue generated within the LG Group.
According to market research firm
link hidden, please login to view, the global smart factory market is projected to grow from USD 155.61 billion this year to USD 268.46 billion by 2030. 770TB of Manufacturing Data and Over 1,000 Patents
LG has accumulated vast amounts of manufacturing data and know-how through 66 years of factory design, construction and operation. In the past decade alone, the company has amassed 770 terabytes (TB) of manufacturing and production data, equivalent to storing approximately 197,000 high-definition movies (assuming each movie is 4GB). The company’s competitive edge also lies in its various core production technologies essential for smart factory configuration, with PRI filing over 1,000 patents related to smart factory solutions. LG aims to set its smart factory solutions apart by integrating its extensive manufacturing data and expertise with AI and DX, leveraging world-class production technologies. These smart factory solutions encompass production system design, monitoring and operation through Digital Twin technology; big data and generative AI-based management of quality, industrial safety and equipment; and the provision of various industrial robots.
Production Efficiency Directly Linked to Business Profitability
Smart factory solutions focus on minimizing even the briefest delays or minute errors between processes. Since efficiency in production is directly linked to the overall profitability of the business, enhancing it is crucial. For example, at LG’s refrigerator production line in Changwon, a refrigerator is produced every 13 seconds. A 10-minute delay in the production line would result in a production shortfall of 50 refrigerators. Assuming the price of one refrigerator is KRW 2 million, a 10-minute delay translates to a loss of KRW 100 million.
This impact is even more significant for products with faster production speeds.* Therefore, solutions that minimize delays across processes – from the seamless supply of multiple components to assembly, packaging and inspection – are essential.
Comprehensive Production Solutions Covering the Entire Journey
LG approaches the smart factory business not just as unit solutions for specific areas but as comprehensive solutions covering the entire journey for clients, from factory planning to design, construction and operation. Considering the client’s environment and industry characteristics, the company diagnoses existing factories and identifies areas for improvement, establishing a step-by-step roadmap from automation, informationization and intelligence perspectives to maximize investment effectiveness.
Digital Twin Solution for All Value Chain
The production system design and operation solutions leverage real-time simulations using Digital Twin technology. Before the factory is built, a virtual replica identical to the real factory is created, allowing clients to preview the production and logistics flow. This enables optimal efficiency in factory design.
During the operational phase, analyzing real-time data helps detect bottlenecks, defects and malfunctions in the production line in advance, thereby contributing to productivity improvement.
Autonomous Mobile Robots and Collaborative Robots
LG’s various industrial robot solutions for factory automation offer significant advantages. The Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) is equipped with cameras, radar and LiDAR sensors to recognize its surroundings and supply parts and materials. It navigates effectively, avoiding workers and obstacles through autonomous driving.
The Mobile Manipulator (MM), which combines a multi-joint robotic arm with an AMR, can automate a range of tasks seamlessly. It is capable of diverse actions such as assembly, defect inspection and transporting parts and materials. Additionally, it can replace the batteries of nearby AMRs when they run low.
Generative AI Solutions for Easy Anomaly Diagnosis
Solutions that assist in managing yield rates and ensuring the smooth operation of equipment are also highly beneficial. Sensors installed throughout the factory detect abnormal signals such as vibrations and noise caused by equipment aging or lack of lubrication. Big data is then used to determine the causes and recommend corrective actions.
Generative AI based on large language models allows for easy use through voice commands. For example, saying “abnormal vibration in equipment A at 2 p.m.” records the abnormal signal on the server. A command like “show recent abnormal vibrations and corrective actions” provides a list of defect types and previous corrective actions in order of likelihood.
Additionally, LG has developed a real-time detection system powered by Vision AI. This system learns the factory’s normal operating conditions and detects anomalies such as temperature fluctuations and defects. It also enhances factory safety management by identifying workers who are not properly wearing safety helmets or work vests.
Expediting the Development of a Future-Oriented Business Model by Harnessing Lighthouse Factory Expertise
LG’s intelligent autonomous factories in Changwon, South Korea, and Tennessee, USA, have been recognized as Lighthouse Factories by the World Economic Forum. Following the implementation of smart factory solutions, productivity at the Changwon plant increased by 17 percent, energy efficiency improved by 30 percent, and quality costs due to defects were reduced by 70 percent. Within the LG Group, production facilities at over 60 locations in 40 regions worldwide are applying solutions from PRI.
Leveraging this internally and externally validated smart factory expertise for business ventures holds significant meaning in terms of commercializing intangible assets. LG is driving a transformation of its business portfolio, which has traditionally focused on production of hardware, by integrating software and solutions into a future-oriented structure. This approach is expected to significantly contribute to the rapid growth of the company’s B2B sector, one of the three key growth drivers in LG’s 2030 Future Vision, especially as it targets numerous external corporate clients.
“We will offer optimal smart factory solutions at every stage – from planning and design to construction and operation – becoming the ideal partner that supports our clients throughout their entire production journey,” said Jeong Dae-hwa, head of LG PRI.
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* Unit for production speed is parts per million (PPM).
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By News Reporter
LG NOVA InnoFest Lights the Halo of Innovation on Bold Ideas and Businesses With
Open Conference Program, Issues a Call for Startups for the Pitch Competition
SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) has opened registration for the fourth annual LG NOVA InnoFest, taking place on September 25-26, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Hosted by LG NOVA, LG Electronics’ North America Innovation Center, the two-day event will bring together a cross-section of business leaders, innovators and investors across various industries to collaborate on solutions for a better future. This year’s event theme, “Lighting the Halo of Innovation” was designated to inspire attendees to focus on creating change and impact through co-creation and collaboration on bold ideas and businesses.
The event brings back its annual Startup Pitch Competition, where 10 selected startups will compete to win cash prizes, an audience with executive judges and recognition on stage. In this competition, LG is looking for bold startups with great potential, working on innovative ideas that can lead to transformative change in their markets.
LG Electronics’ sister company LG Chem is co-sponsoring this year’s startup pitch competition, adding a new Life Sciences category alongside CleanTech, HealthTech, AI, Smart Life and Open Innovation. The US Business Development team is seeking next-generation technologies that align with LG Chem’s sustainability mission and will sponsor a new “Innovation for Impact Award.”
For more details on each category, visit
link hidden, please login to view. Interested startups can submit their companies for consideration at . In addition to the monetary prizes and on-stage recognition, selected startups may have the opportunity to collaborate with LG to build businesses, participate in LG NOVA-sponsored marketing activities or qualify for investments from LG and its network. According to a 2023 from Boston Consulting Group, 79 percent of companies ranked innovation among their top three priorities and more than 40 percent expect to increase spending significantly. Today, innovation is being driven by a collaborative ecosystem. This interconnected approach, involving startups, corporations, academia and venture capitalists can result in groundbreaking solutions. Innofest seeks to illustrate the capabilities of this model, bringing together startups, investors and members of the innovation community to exchange ideas, encourage, support and discuss how they can all work together to spur “innovation for a better life.”
“Today the responsibility for innovation no longer sits solely with individual companies; collaboration is critical,” said Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, corporate executive vice president for Innovation at LG Electronics and head of LG NOVA. “Through InnoFest, we are bringing together the entire innovation ecosystem, from corporations to growing startups, to discuss creative and cutting-edge ideas that have the potential to shape our future.”
Last year’s gathering brought 90 industry-leading speakers together for 28 sessions focused on topics such as women in tech; balancing growth, profitability and impact; as well as diversity in tech. The event enabled people to join in the discussions on solutions to challenges in these key areas within the innovation community.
This year, according to Rhee, “InnoFest is boldly reimagining its program to be more interactive and engaging through a non-traditional conference format, emphasizing meaningful connections and inspiring conversations.” Attendees can look forward to influential speakers and keynotes, select curated panels and more dynamic discussion-based sessions.
“At LG, we believe in the power of optimism and innovation to change the world,” said Rhee, who invited startups to join LG at InnoFest 2024, “as we strive to create a brighter future together.”
Registration for InnoFest is now open at . Interested in speaking or moderating at the event? Learn more at .
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By News Reporter
Company Pushes Boundaries With Innovative Business Models
While Balancing Core Operations and Future Growth to Create New Opportunities
SEOUL, April 25, 2024 — LG Electronics Inc. (LG) announced first-quarter 2024 consolidated revenue of KRW 21.09 trillion and operating profit of KRW 1.33 trillion. The company’s home appliance sector demonstrated global leadership, achieving record-breaking revenue and double-digit operating profit margins. The EV components sector, a key driver of future growth, continued its steady expansion. Both the TV and business solutions sectors experienced year-on-year sales growth and returned profits compared to the previous quarter.
Despite navigating challenging macroeconomic conditions such as high commodity prices, volatile exchange rates, rising interest rates and delayed demand recovery, LG achieved its highest-ever total revenue for a first quarter. This milestone underscores the effectiveness of implementing sustainable business models like subscription services and leveraging growth opportunities in the promising B2B sector. LG’s emphasis on differentiating features such as AI, energy efficiency and customer-centric design has strengthened its competitiveness in the premium market. Furthermore, the strategic approach of offering diverse product lineups and flexible pricing structures enabled the company to successfully navigate polarized demand trends.
Operating profit surpassed KRW 1 trillion for the fifth consecutive year, showcasing LG’s strong performance in the face of intensifying market competition. The company’s focus on content/service businesses and direct-to-consumer sales via the Online Brand Shop (OBS) has fueled qualitative growth. Efforts to stabilize raw material and logistics costs, coupled with production location flexibility, have further bolstered profitability.
The LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company generated first-quarter revenue of KRW 8.6 trillion and an operating profit of KRW 940.3 billion. This represents a notable 7.2 percent increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, setting a new record for first-quarter performance. Operating profits reached the second-highest level in the company’s history, with an operating profit margin of 10.9 percent, underscoring the company’s exceptional global competitiveness.
Driven by its core technologies, particularly in motors and compressors, LG’s home appliance business continues to innovate within a mature market landscape. With a commitment to industry leadership, LG is pioneering transformative initiatives such as product subscription services and advancing the concept of ‘Affectionate Intelligence’ appliances. These innovations are tailored to empathize with and address customer needs effectively. Moreover, LG is strategically expanding its B2B ventures, including HVAC and built-in solutions, to capitalize on emerging growth opportunities.
The LG Vehicle component Solutions Company reported first-quarter revenue of KRW 2.66 trillion and an operating profit of KRW 52 billion, reflecting an 11.5 percent year-on-year revenue increase. The ongoing conversion of backlog orders into revenue is progressing steadily. Despite ongoing investments in overseas production sites to fulfill new orders and meet OEM demands, the company has maintained stable profitability, benefiting from economies of scale resulting from revenue expansion.
While there are expectations of a slight slowdown in the recent growth of EV demand, the demand for high-value-added EV components continues to rise steadily. LG is proactively addressing these market dynamics by developing a balanced portfolio, spanning from in-vehicle infotainment to powertrains and headlamps. The company aims to ensure sustained revenue growth and a stable profit base by actively adapting to these market shifts.
The LG Home Entertainment Company reported first-quarter revenue of KRW 3.49 trillion and an operating profit of KRW 132.2 billion. This represents a 4.2 percent increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, driven by a resurgence in TV demand in Europe and the successful launch of new 2024 models. The positive operating profit was fueled by the robust performance of the webOS content/service business, alongside traditional product sales. Despite challenges such as rising LCD panel prices, the company effectively managed profitability.
Looking ahead, a gradual recovery in the TV market demand is anticipated in the second half of the year. LG’s strategy focuses on leveraging its globally leading OLED TV and premium LCD QNED TV offerings while continuously enhancing the profitability of the webOS platform business, which is poised for rapid growth.
The LG Business Solutions Company reported first-quarter revenue of KRW 1.57 trillion, marking a 6.5 percent increase year-over-year, and an operating profit of KRW 12.8 billion. The launch of new LG gram laptops, featuring on-device AI and timed for graduation and enrollment seasons, garnered positive market feedback. In addition, sales of commercial display products, including electronic whiteboards and LED signage, experienced growth. While operating profit returned to positive territory from the previous quarter, there was a slight decrease compared to the same period last year, attributed to factors such as rising component prices and intensified competition.
This year, the overall IT market is expected to maintain similar demand levels to the previous year, with a slight growth anticipated in the commercial display segment. There is an expected increase in demand for high-spec IT products like gaming monitors and LED signage. LG aims to lead the market with strategic IT products tailored to customer needs, integrating gaming-specific features and OLED displays, alongside premium LED products. Efforts to proactively develop promising new businesses such as robotics and EV charging continue to drive future growth prospects.
Earnings Conference and Conference Call
LG Electronics will hold a Korean / English conference call on April 25, 2024, at 16:00 Korea Standard Time (07:00 GMT/UTC). Conference call participants should pre-register online to receive a private PIN. The corresponding presentation file will be available for download at the LG Electronics website before the call.
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By News Reporter
LG 2024 OLED evo TVs Demonstrate Company’s Dedication to
Sustainability and Highlight Premium Value of LG OLED TVs
SEOUL, Apr. 16, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) continues to receive recognition for its steadfast commitment to sustainability and eco-conscious practices. LG 2024 OLED evo TVs achieved Reducing CO21 and Measured CO22 certifications from the Carbon Trust3 and Environmentally Evaluated Mark4 from Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS), marking the fourth consecutive year of consistent acknowledgement for LG’s ESG initiatives. LG’s newest OLED TVs have also earned their second successive Recycled Content certification5, further demonstrating LG’s sense of environmental responsibility.
The Carbon Trust works to usher the globe into a future of zero carbon emission by assessing the environmental impact of a product’s entire life cycle, from production and distribution to use and disposal. SGS certification focuses on resource efficiency and the presence of hazardous substances, while Intertek measures the percentage of recycled materials used. The organizations’ respective approaches promote responsible consumption practices across diverse industries and contribute to the broader goal of sustainability worldwide.
Notably, the self-lit nature of LG OLED TVs garners significant attention in stringent sustainability evaluations. Unlike LCD TVs, LG OLED TVs do not require a backlight, meaning a simpler structure and fewer necessary components. For instance, LG’s 65-inch OLED evo, made of ultra-light composite fiber, requires only 40 percent of the plastic typically used in an LCD TV of the same size screen and weighs 20 percent less.
Based on the estimated sales of LG OLED TVs this year, the total amount of plastic used in LG OLED TVs from 2022 to 2024 is expected to be 45,000 tons lower than that of LCD TVs sold during the same period. The reduction in plastic usage will lead to a decrease in carbon emissions of approximately 234,000 tons a year, equivalent to the carbon dioxide absorbed by a 30-year-old pine forest. This number translates to one-third of the area of Seoul or about 31,000 soccer fields.
Recycled plastics account for about 20 percent of the plastic used in the manufacturing of all LG TVs, including OLED TVs, equal to around 4,000 tons of recycled waste plastic annually.
Beyond environmental activities, LG’s various ESG initiatives have received praise from reputable domestic and international organizations. In 2023, LG was named in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the twelfth year in a row. The DJSI World ranks in the top ten percent of the largest 2,500 global companies based on their long-term economic, environmental, social and governance practices. The company’s inclusion on this prestigious list for twelve consecutive years is a significant milestone, as LG is the sole South Korean company in the Leisure Equipment & Products and Consumer Electronics industry category to achieve this feat.
Furthermore, LG has received the ‘Comprehensive A grade’ from the ESG Evaluation and Rating Announcement of Korea ESG Standards Institute (KCGS) for three years running, and last year, the company earned its fourth back-to-back ‘A’ rating from the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ESG Rating.
“LG OLED TVs lead the market as the ultimate choice for premium viewing experiences, while also going beyond to set the bar for ESG standards,” said Baik Seon-pill, leader of the LG Home Entertainment Company’s Product Planning Division. “LG will remain devoted to continuing efforts toward creating a better planet for all.”
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1 77/65/55-inch LG OLED evo G4 models.
2 97/83-inch LG OLED evo G4 models and all LG OLED evo C4 models.
3 Only applies to listed products sold in markets/regions participating in the Carbon Trust’s labeling program.
4 All LG OLED evo G4 and C4 models.
5 All LG OLED evo G4 and C4 models.
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By News Reporter
EPA and DOE Recognize LG Electronics for ‘Sustained Excellence’ in
Energy-Efficient Products, Environmental Sustainability Efforts
SEOUL, March 27, 2024 – LG Electronics (LG) has been named 2024 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. This honor recognizes LG’s exemplary commitment to fighting climate change and protecting the environment through leadership in ENERGY STAR certified products and promotions. This marks the 11th time since 2012 that LG has been named Partner of the Year.
“ENERGY STAR supports LG’s ‘Innovation for a Better Life’ brand mission, which means creating a better life for people and a better future for our planet through smart life solutions,” said Chris Jung, president and CEO, LG Electronics North America. “2023 marked an inflection point for LG’s strategy to help drive the electrification movement across America with ENERGY STAR certified products – from heat-pump-enabled HVAC systems, water heaters and clothes dryers to induction cooktops and EV chargers, as well as energy storage and management systems – all enabling broader decarbonization goals.”
The EPA recognized LG for its robust participation in various ENERGY STAR campaigns and promotions, helping to educate tens of millions of American consumers about greener living with LG and ENERGY STAR, driving a record 8.3 billion consumer impressions. The 2024 Partner of the Year award recognizes a number of key LG ENERGY STAR accomplishments last year.
LG was the first to certify induction cooktops and ranges to the new ENERGY STAR cooking specification finalized in October 2023. LG also was ENERGY STAR Partner to certify dishwashers to the ENERGY STAR Version 7 specification, and all new models earned the “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2023” designation.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan congratulated LG and other ENERGY STAR award winners for “innovation and leadership in delivering cost-effective energy efficient solutions that create jobs, address climate change, and contribute to a healthier environment for all.” He said, “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda creates unprecedented opportunity to build a clean energy economy, and private sector partners through programs like ENERGY STAR are leading the way.”
Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a select group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to energy efficiency and the transition to a clean energy economy. ENERGY STAR award winners lead their industries in the production, sale and adoption of energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, services and strategies. These efforts have saved more than 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity over the past 30 years.
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