LG Electronics Announces Organizational Restructuring for Future Growth
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By News Reporter
In its pursuit of automotive solutions that prioritize safety and reliability, LG has achieved several impressive milestones in the automotive security space. In August, the company’s Vehicle to Everything (V2X) solution for Volkswagen
link hidden, please login to view. This certification confirms that LG’s VW Transceiver Module and V2X technology offer comprehensive protection against unauthorized access or interference and comply with global IT security standards.
At the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) conference in Berlin, Germany, from October 21-24, LG introduced its latest innovations in future mobility: “Soft V2X” and “Smart Roadside Units (RSU).” This integrated traffic safety solution leverages V2X technology to collect and anonymize data, such as the location, direction and speed of pedestrians and vehicles. This data is shared and analyzed in real-time via the Soft V2X Cloud and various devices equipped with Soft V2X software, allowing for timely alerts to users regarding potential dangers. In addition, Soft V2X collaborates with Smart RSUs to provide essential safety information like traffic conditions, potential hazards and signals timings. The software is engineered for compatibility with a range of autonomous vehicles and delivery robots, opening up possibilities for future mobility applications.
LG is leading the development of Soft V2X and Smart RSU, utilizing the results of these validations as a foundation to evolve toward Harmonized V2X. LG is continuously strengthening and maintaining its leadership by proposing the technological direction and validating every step of the way. Through these advancements, LG engaged with global companies at the conference, encouraging them to join in this strategic journey. The company outlined the steps toward Harmonized V2X, emphasizing its practicality and efficiency. Many global companies resonated with this vision, positioning the commercialization of V2N services as a top priority on the 5GAA roadmap.
During the conference, LG offered attendees a firsthand experience of its integrated safety solutions in real-world conditions by inviting them to ride in vehicles and shuttles along a 5.6-kilometer stretch of road in Berlin equipped with various V2X technologies. A video demonstration illustrated the numerous use cases and technologies involved.
The demonstration showcased how the system enhances road safety. For example, if a pedestrian, cyclist and driver all use the Soft V2X app, the applications can detect each other and share anonymized information. This allows the driver to receive alerts to slow down if a pedestrian or cyclist is approaching a crosswalk (or jaywalking) at high speed. The app also provides real-time updates about approaching emergency vehicles or construction work, enabling the driver to adjust their route for a more efficient journey. Even in situations where a pedestrian is not using the app, the vehicle’s application can still receive data from surrounding Smart RSUs to notify the driver.
In Berlin, Kim Hak-seong, leader of Advanced V2X Task at LG Electronics, presented “Steps Forward for V2X Evolution,” focusing on pilot projects making school and kindergarten zones safer in South Korea.
LG is also ensuring global compliance for seamless market integration. The company is well-designed to meet global standards, enabling seamless, sustainable and scalable market expansion. It complies with European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) standards for the European region, as well as Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards for the North American region.
As a founding member of the 5GAA, LG collaborates with leading global automakers, telecommunications companies and automotive component manufacturers to develop autonomous driving and traffic safety technologies.
With Soft V2X and Smart RSU technologies as cornerstones for future connected mobility V2X solutions, LG is continuously pursuing the next step, known as Hybrid V2X. This involves integrating V2X direct communication with V2X network communication to improve various aspects such as coverage extension, high reliability, scalable architecture, versatile devices and various vertical industries.
To extend its lead in the global market, LG continues to introduce new and improved traffic safety and autonomous driving solutions, including Soft V2X. This underlines the company’s commitment to realizing innovative solutions that not only bolster people’s safety today but also bring future mobility closer to fruition.
Stay tuned to the to learn about the countless ways its latest technologies are changing the world for the better.
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By News Reporter
“While IR is traditionally understood as Investor Relations, I view it as Insight Relations.” LG CEO William Cho has often expressed this sentiment, and I wholeheartedly share his point of view. Over the last 25 years, I have dedicated considerable time to understanding the intricacies of the world’s capital markets, including a stint as an analyst in the IT and tech industry. My experiences have shown me that the active exchange of information and knowledge between companies and investors is essential for mutual success. Today, I take great joy and satisfaction in seeing our company make a significant impact in the market and among investors by presenting our latest business strategies. Being part of this new leap forward is truly gratifying.
Last year, we announced a major business transformation, unveiling our vision to become a “Smart Life Solution Company” that connects customer experiences across home, commercial spaces, mobility and even the metaverse. To achieve this, we have set ourselves the “Triple Seven” target: seeking to reach seven percent average growth rate, seven percent operating profit and an enterprise multiple (EV/EBITDA) of seven, all by 2030. We also plan to invest over KRW 50 trillion for qualitative growth by the beginning of the next decade.
Naturally, the attention of Korean and global investors and analysts began to focus on our enterprise value. Numerous questions were raised regarding the foundation and substance of our “Smart Life Solutions,” our growth potential and whether the announced changes were valuable enough to warrant the long-term investment of assets. As an analyst who has witnessed LG’s various transformations and efforts over the years, the initial market reaction was entirely understandable.
Building on “responsibility” and “authentic communication,” which have been upheld as core values of investor relations (IR) for decades, we have expanded the involvement and role of top management, thereby enhancing trust in our corporate activities. We have also significantly improved policies aimed at increasing shareholder value. In addition, we are expanding efforts to contribute to the healthy development of capital markets from a macro perspective.
Communication Leadership
As the shift in business direction marks a critical turning point with regard to the company’s future blueprint, it was only natural for those leading the changes to step forward and take on the role of “communicators.” Accordingly, starting with the
link hidden, please login to view, our CEO, CFO and other top executives have engaged in open and candid communications at key IR events, such as the general shareholders’ meeting, corporate briefings for global investors and . Beginning this year, the regular earnings conference calls, which were previously led by IR and business unit management, are now overseen directly by the CFO. Active Policy Changes to Improve Shareholder Value
In addition, we announced a new three-year dividend policy (covering fiscal years 2024 to 2026) earlier this year aimed at enhancing shareholder value. This policy includes changes such as adjusting the dividend record date, changing the dividend cycle, setting a minimum base dividend and increasing the dividend payout ratio.
In August, we became the first among the affiliates of Korea’s top 10 conglomerates to announce a value-up participation disclosure aimed at enhancing corporate value. On October 22, we ,” a master plan to boost shareholder value and normalize the company’s valuation. To enhance predictability for investors, we will continue with the base (minimum) dividend of KRW 1,000 per share and semi-annual dividends, which both began this year, while also considering quarterly dividends in the future.
Growth with the Market
Most people reading this article are likely well aware that companies, investors and the market are interconnected in an organic relationship. LG Electronics aims for healthy, mutual growth with the capital market. To this end, we have developed an IR Activity Management System that quantitatively analyzes IR activities for publicly listed companies and are sharing our operational know-how both internally and externally. Additionally, we have been collaborating with the Korea Investor Relations Service (KIRS) for several years, giving lectures on the direction of IR activities related to ESG (environmental, social and governance) and consistently contributing to the development of the capital market.
Personally, as an analyst, I take great pride in sharing the knowledge and expertise I have accumulated from working at various companies and, through this, contributing to the positive cycle of market development alongside my colleagues.
Earlier this month, we were honored with the Financial Services Commission Chairman’s Award (Grand Prize), the highest award in the corporate category, at the 2024 Korea IR Awards hosted by the KIRS.* The award holds great significance as it acknowledges our contributions to maintaining systematic and sincere communications with the market, as well as our efforts to secure a stable investment base as recognized by capital market authorities and various experts.
Going forward, we will continue our commitment to proactive and genuine communication across all business activities to further build investor trust. I, too, will continue to strive to establish LG as an “Insight Leader” that drives healthy, mutual growth for the market, companies and investors alike.
By Park Won-jae, vice president and head of IR Division at LG Electronics
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* Hosted by KIRS under the Korea Exchange since 2001, the Korea IR Awards are presented annually to companies and individuals who have contributed to the healthy development of capital markets through effectively IR activities. Companies and individuals recommended by analysts and institutional investors are selected through a rigorous evaluation process conducted by a professional review panel and a selection committee.
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By News Reporter
LG Aims to Expand Its B2B Offerings and
Build a Growth-Driven Portfolio in Emerging Sectors
SEOUL, Oct. 10, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) held a press conference today at LG Digital Park in South Korea to share its future vision for the B2B sector with domestic journalists. The company outlined its goal for the LG Business Solutions (BS) Company to achieve KRW 10 trillion in annual revenue by 2030.
At its 2024 Investor Forum in August, LG highlighted the acceleration of its B2B operations as one of the central components of its business portfolio innovation strategy. By 2030, the company expects that its B2B concerns will account for 45 percent of total sales.
LG plans to strengthen its leading B2B businesses, such as hotel and hospital TVs, digital signage and premium laptops, while also focusing on medical monitors and electric vehicle (EV) chargers to build a sustainable, growth-focused portfolio.
Additionally, the company is rapidly strengthening its B2B capabilities across a wide range of areas, including vehicle components, HVAC systems, built-in appliances and smart factory solutions. The expansion into mobility and new business segments is part of the company’s strategy to accelerate its business transformation.
Leading LG’s flagship B2B businesses, the LG BS Company offers customized digital signage for various commercial spaces, including hotels, retail stores, offices, schools and hospitals, as well as IT products ranging from high-spec monitors to LG gram laptops, commercial robots and EV charging solutions.
The B2B sector is less affected by economic fluctuations than B2C, resulting in comparatively stable revenue and profits. Another advantage of B2B is the “lock-in” effect, which typically leads to close, long-term relationships with customers and a virtuous cycle of mutual growth.
“Over the past 66 years, LG has accumulated valuable insights into its customers and the diverse spaces they occupy through its consumer electronics business,” said Jang Ik-hwan, president of LG Business Solutions Company. “Going forward, we will leverage this expertise to offer tailored services and differentiated solutions to our business customers, further cementing our reputation as a trusted partner in the competitive B2B market. The BS Company is seeking to double its current revenue, reaching KRW 10 trillion by 2030.”
Driving the Commercial Display Market with Premium Signage and Hospitality TVs
LG has gained a leading position in the B2B display solution market thanks to its top-tier commercial display technology, premium digital signage and strong performance in the global hotel and hospital TV segments. LG’s information display business has experienced steady growth since 2019, recording an average annual growth rate of seven percent.
LG will continue to expand its display solutions business with products tailored for various spaces. The focus will be on premium fine-pitch LED signage (including All-in-One LED and Micro LED models), a product category that has seen a double-digit rise in revenue each year.
At the forefront of this expansion is the cutting-edge LG MAGNIT Micro LED display. LG MAGNIT is offered in various formats, including an all-in-one model for conference rooms, a model designed for virtual production studios, a premium home cinema edition and a model with a separate power supply unit (PSU). Since 2020, MAGNIT has recorded an impressive growth rate, with its annual revenue growth nearing a twofold increase on average over the past four years.
Additionally, LG is strengthening its portfolio of innovative digital signage solutions with products such as the next-generation LG Micro LED display, which is set to launch later this year. LG has employed the latest AI technology for its upcoming Micro LED, both during the production process and to create intelligent image-quality algorithms that help ensure superior visual performance. As part of the manufacturing process, AI is used to assess and select each of the product’s approximately 25 million LED chips (based on a 136-inch model). Meanwhile, the AI processor applied to the LG Micro LED display analyzes and optimizes color and brightness in real-time to deliver optimal picture quality.
To drive future growth, LG is actively working to identify potential demand and will keep on adding to its diverse lineup of tailored hardware and software solutions for commercial spaces.
Preferred by customers around the world, LG’s hospitality TVs boast many user-friendly features, including the ability to wirelessly mirror personal devices screens via Google Chromecast or Apple AirPlay. Hotel guests simply scan the QR code displayed on the TV to watch content from their device on the TV’s larger screen. To protect users’ privacy, viewing history and connection data are automatically deleted upon check out.
LG continues to maintain its strong leadership in the global hospitality TV market, and is collaborating with renowned international hotel chains including IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Hyatt.
In addition to its hardware offerings, LG provides a variety of cloud solutions through its online B2B platform, LG Business Cloud. These include the LG DOOH Ads digital signage advertising solution, LG SuperSign Cloud and Pro:Centric digital signage and hospitality TV content management solutions, and LG ConnectedCare remote monitoring and management solution.
To accelerate its expansion into new business areas and enhance overall competitiveness, LG is fostering strategic partnerships with global B2B companies. It recently signed a memorandum of understanding with office solutions provider Ricoh to explore the development of comprehensive enterprise services.
Strengthening LG’s Position as a Leading EV Charging Solutions Provider
LG is set to expedite its growth in promising new business areas, with the company’s EV charger business standing out as an emerging “unicorn.” Through strategic partnerships and investment, LG is poised to increase its presence in the global EV charger market.
LG opened its EV charger production factory in the U.S. (Texas) in January of this year and in June reached an agreement with ChargePoint, a leading provider of networked charging solutions for EVs in North America. The two companies are collaborating to expand their businesses by boosting product sales through distribution channels, reinforcing their product portfolios and jointly developing next-generation solutions. Additionally, LG is leveraging its extensive B2B sales network in the U.S., established through its nationwide success in hospitality TVs and digital signage, to actively target the country’s increased demand for EV charging infrastructure. This includes the necessary charging framework for hotels, shopping malls and retail stores, as well as highway charging stations and depots.
LG aims to secure around eight percent of the U.S. fast charger market by 2030 and position itself as a global top-tier provider of EV charging solutions.
At present, LG offers six types of EV chargers, including 7kW and 11kW slow chargers, and 100kW, 175kW, and 200kW fast-charging models.1 In addition, the company is producing a 350kW ultra-fast charger for the North American market and plans to release two slow-charging models – 30kW and 7kW – targeting the European market, all scheduled to launch by the end of this year.
Furthermore, LG is proactively addressing concerns over EV charger safety by implementing various fire-prevention solutions.
The charging control system applied to LG’s EV chargers prevents overcharging, which is one of the leading causes of EV charging safety incidents. The control system automatically stops charging when the vehicle battery reaches 80 percent during fast charging and 100 percent during slow charging. Additionally, LG chargers are equipped with a load management system that allocates electricity based on the installation site’s power capacity, ensuring stable charging even with limited power availability.2
The installation environment and consumer safety are key considerations in the design of every EV charger that LG makes. The company’s 175kW fast-charging model operates reliably in extreme temperatures ranging from -35 to 55 degrees Celsius and boasts an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance, along with an IK10 rating for impact resistance. Additionally, LG EV chargers comply with Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations for the use of ten harmful chemicals such as lead, cadmium and mercury during the manufacturing process.
Prioritizing Medical Monitors as a Key Growth Engine
LG is focusing on the medical monitor sector as a new growth driver for its IT business, with plans to become a global top-three medical monitor provider within the next five years.
Medical monitors are required to meet the medical device regulations of each country, as well as medical imaging display standards, such as DICOM Part 14. Delivering excellent image accuracy and reliability, these monitors are considered premium products with high entry barriers, and are recognized as high-value-added products. According to market research firm Omdia, the global medical monitor market is expected to reach approximately USD 2.5 billion in value by 2030. In markets such as North America and Europe, hospitals are required to use medical-grade monitors for the reviewing of medical images obtained from X-rays, endoscopies and other procedures. With these strict regulations in place, the market for medical-grade monitors is expected to grow significantly in the future.
Launched in 2016, LG’s medical monitor business has steadily expanded in size, achieving close to double-digit annual growth in North America and Europe. Its product lineup, which is now available in more than 50 countries worldwide, currently comprises 14 types of medical monitors – including clinical, diagnostic and surgical models – and six types of digital X-ray detectors (DXDs).
LG offers healthcare institutions a diverse range of medical monitors, including surgical monitors with Mini-LED technology, specialized diagnostic monitors for mammography and high-resolution displays with screen-split features. By adopting a turnkey solution approach, LG has enhanced its competitiveness in the global medical display market and set a solid foundation for future growth.
In 2023, the company made significant strides in the medical display segment by securing a four-year, EUR 10 million contract with Centrale d’Achat de l’Informatique Hospitalière (CAIH), France’s public hospital IT purchasing center, for the supply of medical monitors. Looking ahead, LG plans to integrate AI technology into the data analysis and solutions derived from its medical monitors and digital X-ray detectors, and is also considering an entry into the medical imaging equipment sector.
LG’s success in the B2B sector owes much to the company’s technology and knowhow accumulated over many years in the B2C market. Recently, LG is in discussions regarding a contract to supply a U.S. financial services company with custom-built, high-resolution monitors for a period of five years. LG has supplied dual monitors to a U.S. financial media company and provided in-flight entertainment (IFE) displays to international airlines.
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1 LG’s 7kW and 11kW slow chargers and 100kW fast charger are available in South Korea, while the 175kW and 200kW fast-charging models are available in North America.
2 LG’s load management solution, which has already been applied to the company’s fast- and slow-charging EV charging solutions in North America, will be introduced in South Korea beginning next month.
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By News Reporter
Winners Showcase Family-Friendly Gaming Innovations and
Address the Growing Interest in AI Technologies at LG webOS Summit
SEOUL, Oct. 1, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) announced the winners of its webOS TV platform hackathon, which took place at the LG webOS Summit last week. The event was geared toward AI-based solutions and gaming services, and sought ideas to enhance the gaming category on the Smart TV.
Developers from around the world applied for the opportunity to present their ideas for apps or services to be used on webOS-based LG Smart TVs in millions of homes, with the goal of diversifying and improving the gaming experience on the LG TVs powered by webOS.
Over three hundred entries were submitted from more than 50 countries. Finalists were invited to present their ideas onstage to a panel of LG executives and over 300 market-leading companies. The top three winners received a meaningful opportunity to engage with the LG team to develop their ideas and resources for business implementation on webOS. They will continue to work with the LG team to prepare the family-friendly gaming solutions for LG TVs by June 2025. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three winners of the hackathon, with the Grand Prize of USD 100,000 for first place, USD 80,000 for second place and USD 50,000 for third place.
Grand Prize Winner: The Quest of Sunflower by Couchplay
An epic adventure game based on an AI-generated story, featuring stunning graphics, immersive audio and responsive game play suitable for the whole family.
Second place: Signs of Magic by Lukas Klingsbo
Set in a magical world, this game follows the wizard Elowen as she battles invading creatures known as Astromentals. It integrates LG Magic Remote sensors to create an immersive experience that brings the action to life.
Third place: Thormdeil: Into the Unknown by TV Games
The first single-player RPG developed exclusively for a Smart TV platform, featuring seasonally AI-generated content. Players navigate dark dungeons, face survival challenges and uncover hidden truths.
“The amount of participation and entries we received this year is proof of the growing interest in the AI and gaming categories,” said Chris Jo, senior vice president of platform business at LG Home Entertainment Company. “We’re no longer simply watching television. The developer ecosystem’s role in improving the lives of millions of consumers in their homes is exponential, and LG plans to hold this event annually to foster webOS app developer ecosystem.”
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By News Reporter
Company Drives Strategic Growth With AI webOS, an Intelligent Platform
that Delivers Outstanding Customer Value and Unique User Experiences
SEOUL, Sep. 30, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) last week held webOS Summit 2024 in Incheon, South Korea, sharing its strategic vision and future initiatives for expanding the AI webOS ecosystem and growing its platform business. Themed “Empowering webOS with AI,” the second webOS Summit played host to around 300 attendees representing 140 partner companies – including content developers, producers and providers – from 24 countries. The event also marked a major milestone: the tenth anniversary of the launch of webOS on LG smart TVs.
AI webOS plays a pivotal role in LG’s ambitious business transformation, shifting from a consumer electronics manufacturer to a Smart Life Solution Company. With a strategic investment of over KRW 1 trillion (USD 740 million), LG aims to significantly enhance the capabilities of its webOS platform and related businesses.
To achieve its strategic vision and elevate the value of its unique offerings, LG is continuously broadening the extensive selection of content and services accessible on AI webOS. The platform, which delivers exceptional experiences to LG TV users in over 180 countries, currently provides over 4,000 apps, including those for entertainment, home fitness, education and gaming.
This year, LG is reinforcing the reputation of AI webOS as an advanced gaming platform by adding a variety of new services and experience innovations. At present, the cutting-edge platform offers around 4,500 games across popular cloud gaming services such as GeForce NOW and Amazon Luna. To make gaming on its TVs even more responsive, LG has teamed up with MediaTek and Razer, leveraging new Bluetooth Ultra-Low Latency (BT ULL) technology to reduce input lag to an imperceptible 1ms when using a Bluetooth gaming controller. Demonstrated during webOS Summit 2024, this impressive responsiveness enhances the cloud gaming experience, giving users more precise control and making gameplay more immersive.
LG is also bolstering its competitive edge in content and services by actively seeking out and securing top industry talent. The company recently hosted a global hackathon to discover compelling new games and AI-powered content suitable for AI webOS and is also collaborating on game development with respected institutes of higher education, such as Sungkyunkwan University and New York University.
Furthermore, with the introduction of webOS Pay, LG has made it faster and more convenient for users to purchase content and services on AI webOS. The simple-to-use payment service contributes to the seamless, personalized shopping experience on LG’s intelligent platform.
Over the last decade, LG has sold a remarkable 220 million smart TVs and has consistently strengthened its webOS platform business through licensing agreements with an array of local and global companies. LG first made webOS available to other TV makers in 2021, and since then, the versatile platform has been adopted by over 400 brands. The company is now poised to further expand the webOS ecosystem via an array of webOS-powered automotive infotainment solutions, digital signage, smart monitors, gaming monitors and projectors.
Additionally, the webOS platform is shoring up LG’s strong competitiveness in the advertising business. In 2024, revenue generated by advertising and services on webOS is projected to exceed KRW 1 trillion, which represents a fourfold increase from 2021.
A significant contributor to this excellent performance is LG Channels, a free, ad-supported streaming service that provides over 3,800 channels and is now available in 29 countries. The company has augmented its already stellar offering of top-notch viewing options on its free service with the launch of LG Channels Showcase and LG 1 – new channels boasting a curated selection of premium entertainment. What’s more, LG is adding value to the user experience via the provision of AI-based ad solutions that make content recommendations even more relevant to user preferences.
With its Affectionate Intelligence vision for a more caring, empathetic and attentive AI technology, LG is continuously enriching and enhancing the customer experience. The application of Affectionate Intelligence allows webOS users to enjoy easier control as well as personalized content and service recommendations suited to their individual tastes and lifestyles. Through collaborations with innovative partner companies and the seamless integration of the latest technologies, LG is constantly refining its cutting-edge platform.
Along with informative presentations and demonstrations, webOS Summit 2024 featured an experience zone where attendees were able to see first-hand how powerful AI technologies are driving customer experience innovation on webOS. One of the many intelligent features offered on LG’s platform, AI Concierge employs voice recognition, search history and user data to provide customized app and viewing recommendations. Thanks to its ability to recognize different voices, AI webOS can take each LG smart TV user straight to their own personalized Home Screen without having to manually select their profile.
“Our webOS platform business continues to go from strength to strength based on close collaboration with our valued partners and an unrelenting focus on meeting the diverse needs of our customers,” said Park Hyoung-sei, president of the LG Home Entertainment Company. “Celebrating a decade of webOS innovation, and now enriching customer’s everyday lives with AI webOS, LG is accelerating its transformation into a leading media and entertainment platform company.”
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