LG Electronics Ushering in the Era of "Global R&D" in China
- Opening largest total R&D center for a Korean company in Beijing, China - To maximize synergy through close cooperation with research centers of its Chinese subsidiaries - To build end-to-end localized business structure with local base in R&D following localization of production, marketing and HR development
LG Electronics has opened mega R&C Center (Head: Vice President Jeong-Rhul Lee) in Beijing, China on December 10th, 2002, heralding the beginning of "Global R&D" era for LG Electronics.
By establishing R&D Center in Beijing - the heart of China and one of the leading global centers, it not only offers symbolic value, but will serve as the engine for driving global R&D operations of LG Electronics.
Chinese government is currently promoting Beijing and Shanghai as the linchpins of cutting-edge industries, and Zhongguanchun Science and Technology District of Beijing, where LG Electronics established its R&D center, has been designated as the home of R&D complex for state-of-the-art industries to receive a wide range of incentives and tax benefits. The area, therefore, is considered as the best place for successful launching of R&D investment in China.
LG Electronics has built the R&D Center to enhance its R&D competence in China to become the first to introduce digital products developed to meet the requirements of Chinese customers while expanding support and exchanges with local research centers to build end-to-end fully localized R&D network.
The newly created R&D Center will carry out research in four core business areas of: ▲Next generation communications (GSM Handset, 3G/4G Telecommunicating Standards); ▲China-oriented TD-SCDMA; ▲Information appliances (DTV, digital media); ▲Design. The Center will also oversee local research efforts in main business areas of its information communication business such as CDMA handsets and systems as well as electronics business including digital TV and digital media.
In his congratulatory address, Vice Chairman & CEO John Koo of LG Electronics expressed his wish that the Center will grow as the world leader in R&D in electronics, information and communication technology "based on close cooperation between Korea and China."
In addition to its Beijing R&D Center with over 200 staff members, LG Electronics plans to expand its R&D resources to over 2,000 until 2005 to promote China as the heart of its global R&D efforts.
Thanks to its production facilities in China focusing on high value-added products and marketing efforts tailored to local customers' needs, LG Electronics enjoys No. 1 positions in many product categories including optical storage (25%), microwave (39.7%) and projection TV (20%). LG Electronics has also grown as a formidable competition in other product areas.
