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By News Reporter
Strategic Restructuring to Enhance Synergy and Drive Growth in Key Business Areas
SEOUL, Nov. 21, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) today announced a series of organizational changes and executive appointments following the approval of its board of directors. This restructuring aims to accelerate the company’s mid- to long-term strategy, “Future Vision 2030,” by enhancing inter-organizational synergy and innovating its business portfolio.
The restructuring focuses on regrouping LG’s business operation units* to maximize the potential of existing businesses, strengthen platform-based service operations, accelerate B2B initiatives and secure new growth engines in promising sectors. These changes are designed to enhance efficiency through the strategic selection and concentration of capabilities, thereby creating greater synergy between businesses and bolstering future competitiveness.
To spearhead this transformation, LG has appointed skilled individuals with exceptional expertise, emphasizing the enhancement of the company’s long-term competitiveness through the development of high-performing organizations.
Key Changes in Business Structure
A new Company will be established to bolster the growth of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) business, a crucial component of LG’s B2B acceleration strategy. The Overseas Sales & Marketing Company will now function as the overseas B2B control tower. Additionally, display-based operations – including TVs, monitors and signage – will be integrated to foster synergies and expand platform-based service businesses. New growth engines will be strategically relocated to Companies with greater business relevance, ensuring more stable support and creating synergies across business areas.
All four Companies will now incorporate “Solution” in their names, reflecting LG’s evolution into a Smart Life Solution provider that connects and enhances customer experiences across various environments, including homes, commercial spaces, mobility and virtual platforms.
Restructuring of Companies
LG has restructured its four Companies into the Home Appliance Solution (HS) Company, the Media Entertainment Solution (MS) Company, the Vehicle Solution (VS) Company and the Eco Solution (ES) Company. This reorganization redefines their roles and identities within LG.
The H&A Company will be renamed HS Company to align with its vision of “Zero Labor Home, Makes Quality Time.” To support this vision, LG will move the Platform Business Center – responsible for the planning, development and operation of LG ThinQ – directly under HS Company. This strategic realignment aims to establish HS Company as a leader in AI solutions across diverse spaces, including homes, commercial areas and vehicles, effectively addressing customer needs outside traditional home settings. Furthermore, HS Company will incorporate the Robot Business Division from the BS Company to integrate core robot technologies into its home robot solutions. Lyu Jae-cheol will continue to lead HS Company.
The HE Company will change its name to MS Company to align with its goal of becoming a media and entertainment platform powerhouse. It will integrate the Information Display business and Information Technology business from the BS Company with its TV business to create synergies in hardware and platform operations. Park Hyoung-sei will continue to lead the MS Company, driving its transformation into a media and entertainment platform.
The MS Company will accelerate the expansion of platform-based service business areas by broadening the application of webOS, which was primarily used in smart TVs, to monitors, signage and in-vehicle infotainment systems. webOS will evolve into an integrated content and services platform for both indoor and outdoor use, enhancing competitiveness through synergy and improved business structure.
The VS Company will clarify its role by changing its name from Vehicle component Solutions Company to Vehicle Solution Company, emphasizing its commitment to providing innovative solutions across the entire automotive ecosystem. Eun Seok-hyun will continue to lead the company.
The ES Company has been newly established. The HVAC business, previously part of the H&A Company and a significant contributor to LG’s B2B growth, will now operate as a standalone entity under the ES Company. Lee Jae-sung, the current head of the Air Solution Business Division, will lead the ES Company, ensuring continuity in the HVAC business and maintaining its strategic direction.
Given the project-based nature of the HVAC business and the specific characteristics of the market and its customers, LG has determined that operating it as an independent Company will maximize future competitiveness and growth potential. With the establishment of the ES Company, LG aims to position itself as a global leader in comprehensive air solutions.
Additionally, the ES Company will assume responsibility for the electric vehicle charging business from the BS Company and play a pivotal role in driving B2B growth within the clean tech sector, one of LG’s key future growth engines.
Meanwhile, to enhance the competitiveness of overseas B2B operations, LG will establish the B2B Business Capability Enhancement Division under the Overseas Sales & Marketing Company.
The Chief Strategy Office (CSO), acting as LG’s future strategy control tower, will also oversee AI acceleration and respond to global AI developments. The Chief Digital Office, previously responsible for digital transformation, will be reorganized into the DX Center and transferred directly under the CSO. The DX Center will focus on driving business performance through generative AI technologies and will be led by Cho Jung-bum.
The executive appointments emphasize the selection of diverse talents with proven expertise in sales, services and R&D. Jung Pil-won, currently leading the TV Overseas Sales & Marketing Group, has been appointed as the MEA Region Representative, recognizing his extensive experience in overseas sales management and his deep understanding of the Middle Eastern and African markets. Additionally, Kim Jung-ho, Kim Yoo-seon and Choi Jung-won, who head the subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia, Poland and Malaysia respectively, have been promoted to executive positions in acknowledgment of their significant contributions to business growth.
All appointments are effective December 1, with promotions taking effect on January 1.
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* LG’s major business operation units are called “Companies.”
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By News Reporter
Revolutionizing AI Homes With Affectionate Intelligence for
Seamless Connectivity, Custom Comfort and Care
SEOUL, Aug. 29, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is unveiling the LG ThinQ ON AI home hub featuring Affectionate Intelligence at IFA 2024 in Berlin, Germany, from September 6-10. This innovative hub provides outstanding connectivity and expandability, positioning itself as the centerpiece of a comprehensive smart home ecosystem, where LG’s appliances and “empathetic” AI work in unison to deliver customized comfort, care and convenience.
The AI home hub seamlessly connects with a vast array of appliances and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, making it easy for anyone to configure and enjoy a personalized AI-powered home. Powered by LG’s unique Affectionate Intelligence, the ThinQ ON continuously learns from individual usage patterns and broader usage trends to tailor customers’ daily experiences, accelerating the realization of LG’s “Zero Labor Home” vision.
Compact and lightweight, LG ThinQ ON features a cylindrical form factor and a muted color palette (gray/white) that allows it to blend effortlessly with any space or décor. The device is equipped with an AI speaker that facilitates conversations with LG’s AI voice assistant and lets users listen to their favorite audio content. The ThinQ ON’s advanced capabilities are driven by LG’s high-performance AI chipset, designed with future scalability in mind.
Generative AI-based Home Solutions Tailored to Each Customer’s Preferences
The ThinQ ON allows users to control their AI appliances and living spaces with spoken commands or requests delivered in a natural, conversational manner. This creates an experience akin to conversing with friends or family, adding a more human dimension to user-device interactions.
In addition to comprehending everyday language, LG’s AI home hub can understand the context of conversations and determine user preferences for each connected appliance, IoT device and service; bringing a new level of “care” to the home. What’s more, the ThinQ ON autonomously monitors all elements within the smart home ecosystem, helpfully informing users when a task is completed (e.g., the washer has finished a cycle) or if any issue had been detected.
On top of this, ThinQ ON makes it possible to check or change nearly all appliance settings using only voice commands and configure convenience-enhancing routines that automate appliance/IoT operations.
Connectivity, Expandability and Versatility
LG ThinQ ON is Matter-certified* and supports various network connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and Thread, ensuring hassle-free setup and a seamless smart home experience. Compatible with a wide range of LG innovations and a growing number of appliances and IoT devices from other manufacturers, the ThinQ ON enables users to manage their entire smart home ecosystem from one place, both now and in the future.
To further enhance the connectivity of the ThinQ ON, LG acquired the smart home platform company Athom in July of this year. Athom’s flagship smart hub, Homey Pro, can connect to over 50,000 devices. The Homey App Store features around 1,000 applications for connecting and controlling products from various global brands. LG plans to maximize the advantages of the ThinQ ON’s open platform by continuously expanding the range of supported brands and devices.
Enhanced Security and Privacy Protection with LG Shield
The ThinQ ON utilizes LG Shield, the company’s proprietary security system, to protect customer data at all times – from collection and storage to usage. LG Shield encrypts user data and securely stores it in a separate server. Additionally, data modifications required are made within a secure environment, preventing external parties from tampering with the operational code and ensuring customers’ safety while they enjoy the many benefits of LG’s latest AI-driven innovations.
“An AI voice assistant and hub that serves as the center of the smart home, ThinQ ON brings us significantly closer to realizing our vision of the Zero Labor Home,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “LG aims to make the ‘AI Home Lifestyle’ accessible to everyone, and will continue to deliver customized comfort, care and convenience through its Affectionate Intelligence solutions.”
Visitors to IFA 2024 (September 6-10) can see all of LG’s latest AI Home solutions, including ThinQ ON, at the company’s exhibition booth in Hall 18, Messe Berlin.
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By News Reporter
LG Electronics CEO William Cho, in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg, discussed the company’s business strategy, growth areas, and the competitiveness of LG’s AI. Cho highlighted the focus on expanding B2B, subscription services, and its webOS-based advertising and content business to drive growth.
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By News Reporter
Driving Business Portfolio Innovation to Maximize the Potential of Key Business Areas
and Advance B2B, Platform-Based and Emerging Ventures
SEOUL, Aug. 21, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is rapidly evolving into a “Smart Life Solution Company” by leveraging its decades of customer insight, manufacturing expertise and technological prowess as a leader in home appliances. As part of its mid- to long-term strategy, “Future Vision 2030,” LG is committed to ongoing transformation and growth.
On August 21, LG hosted an investor forum at LG Sciencepark in Seoul, bringing together domestic and international investors and analysts. During the event, CEO William Cho outlined the company’s progress and strategic direction since the announcement of Future Vision 2030 last year, emphasizing key achievements. The forum was also streamed live on
link hidden, please login to view. In addition to CEO William Cho, the event was attended by CFO Kim Chang-tae, CSO Lee Sam-soo and other top executives responsible for key business areas such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), webOS content & services and subscription business. The event aimed to communicate the progress and plans of LG’s mid- to long-term strategy directly to the market, ensuring greater transparency.
Following the announcement of the 2030 Future Vision and the shareholders’ meeting, LG continues to engage with the market and stakeholders through direct communication from the CEO and key business leaders, as demonstrated in this investor forum.
Under the Future Vision 2030 plan, LG aims to become a “Smart Life Solution Company” by connecting and enhancing customer experiences across various living spaces, including homes, commercial environments, mobility and virtual platforms. To achieve this, the company plans to accelerate the transformation of its business portfolio towards a more future-oriented model. The goal is to achieve the “Triple Seven” targets: a 7 percent average growth rate, 7 percent operating profit and an enterprise multiple (EV/EBITDA) of 7.
At the event, LG shared its interim financial progress under Future Vision 2030, revealing an 8 percent increase in revenue, a 6 percent operating profit and a fourfold growth in EV/EBITDA compared to the previous year, based on the first half of this year’s business performance (excluding LG Innotek).
“Over the past year, we have been steadily laying the foundation for achieving our future vision, and we take pride in creating ‘structural changes’ and ‘sustainable outcomes’ in various areas,” said CEO Cho. “With strong confidence and a sense of responsibility, we will continue to advance towards our goals.”
Four Strategic Directions for Business Portfolio Innovation
CEO Cho detailed LG’s approach to business portfolio innovation, focusing on four key directions: maximizing the full potential of existing key businesses, expanding platform-based service models, accelerating the growth of B2B and fostering New-to-LGE businesses.
The first direction of maximizing the full potential of current businesses involves a strategy to overcome the limitations of mature core businesses, such as home appliances and TVs. This includes integrating subscription services into its home appliance offerings and expanding direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales channels, providing customers with more choices and enhanced experiences.
CEO Cho explained that these efforts are leading to steady growth and profit generation in core businesses, which serve as cash cows for the company. Despite a double-digit decline in the Korean home appliance market, LG’s domestic appliance sales are on the rise, driven by the creation of new demand through subscription services. In addition, overseas home appliance sales have grown more than 1.5 times faster than the market average over the past three years, driven by expanded product and price lines and D2C sales.
Second, expanding platform-based service models focuses on leveraging the hundreds of millions of LG products sold worldwide as a platform to generate revenue from content, advertising and services. A prime example is LG Home Entertainment Company’s TV business, which aims to accelerate the webOS advertising and content business with the goal of transforming the company into a media and entertainment platform powerhouse. Since 2018, the annual growth rate of the webOS platform-based advertising and content business has reached 64 percent.
In terms of accelerating the growth of B2B businesses, LG is achieving significant results in areas such as vehicle components, HVAC and smart factories. These advancements are closely aligned with market inflection points like digitalization and electrification. LG aims to increase the B2B share of its total revenue to over 45 percent by 2030. The B2B share, which was 27 percent in 2021, has already risen to 35 percent in the first half of this year.
LG’s vehicle component solutions business has secured an order backlog exceeding KRW 100 trillion (USD 74 billion), with sales of high-value products like digital cockpits growing rapidly. The company is also expanding its global production footprint to support this growth. In the HVAC sector, LG leads the high-efficiency market with its advanced inverter and heat pump technologies, and it is actively targeting the cooling systems market for AI data centers, where demand is surging. LG also has plans to expand its smart factory business into industries with rising factory automation needs, such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and food & beverages.
The company continues to invest in promising new business areas that will serve as the foundation for future growth. In the commercial robotics sector, LG is focusing on securing AI-driven, software-defined robotics capabilities. For the electric vehicle charging business, LG is collaborating with leading global partners to seize business opportunities.
Portfolio Innovation Yields Emerging Unicorn Ventures
LG also highlighted the success and growth potential of key businesses that have become core engines of the company’s future growth, showcasing significant results from its portfolio innovation.
“Inspired by the term ‘unicorn’ used to describe ventures valued at over KRW 1 trillion (USD 740 million) in the market, we refer to new business models generating annual sales of over KRW 1 trillion (USD 740 million) as ‘unicorn businesses,’” said CEO Cho. “Our home appliance subscription service surpassed KRW 1 trillion (USD 740 million) in annual sales last year, securing its status as a ‘unicorn business.’ Additionally, several seed businesses, which are expected to become the next unicorns in the near future, are accelerating their growth.”
Home Appliance Subscription Business Achieves Unicorn Status
LG is pioneering a paradigm shift in the home appliance business by combining services with its home appliances through a subscription model. Unlike traditional product-centric models that generate one-time sales, the subscription model maintains ongoing customer relationships, offering optimized care services post-purchase, thereby generating continuous revenue.
Last year, the subscription business achieved KRW 1.134 trillion (approximately USD 840 million) in annual revenue, marking a 33 percent growth over the previous year and securing its place as a unicorn business. This growth is accelerating, with revenue expected to rise by nearly 60 percent this year to exceed KRW 1.8 trillion (USD 1.3 billion).
The rapid growth of LG’s home appliance subscription business is driven by its ability to meet diverse customer needs. Customers can lower their initial purchase burden and maintain their appliances in top condition with expert care services for the desired duration, with free services provided during the subscription period. Customer responses highlight the high value of the subscription business, with its share of LG’s domestic home appliance sales rising from 15 percent last year to over 20 percent this year.
webOS-Based Advertising & Content Business Set to Become the Next Unicorn
LG’s webOS-based advertising and content business leverages millions of devices worldwide as a platform to generate additional revenue streams. This year, revenue is expected to exceed KRW 1 trillion (USD 740 million), a fourfold increase compared to 2021. To sustain this rapid growth, LG is focusing on expanding its customer base, diversifying revenue models and strengthening business capabilities.
In platform businesses, the more devices that use the platform, the larger the business scale becomes. LG has sold approximately 220 million smart TVs over the past decade. In addition, LG licenses its webOS to external companies lacking their own operating systems, with non-LG brands having sold over 10 million webOS TVs. The webOS platform is also expanding beyond TVs to include automotive infotainment and smart appliances, with the company securing leading global OEMs as clients for its in-vehicle infotainment systems.
LG provides a variety of content via webOS, operating revenue models based on advertising and services. A prime example is LG Channels, a free, ad-supported streaming service offering over 3,800 channels in 29 countries. LG plans to diversify its services into high-growth areas such as gaming, personalized shopping and Transactional Video On Demand.
To bolster its webOS platform capabilities, LG plans to invest over KRW 1 trillion (USD 740 million) by 2027. The company will continue collaborating with more than 4,000 global content partners and expand tailored advertising solutions through its data analytics subsidiary, Alphonso.
Chiller Business Targets AI Data Center Cooling Market: On Track to Become a Unicorn in Three Years
LG’s HVAC business offers a broad portfolio, ranging from residential air conditioners to commercial systems for large buildings, schools, public institutions and industrial facilities. This is one of LG’s fastest-growing core businesses, driven by market trends like decarbonization and electrification.
The chiller business, which provides cooling solutions for large buildings, has seen new opportunities as global tech giants increase demand for data centers amid the AI boom. Over the past three years, LG’s chiller business has achieved an average annual growth rate of over 15 percent, with overseas sales more than doubling during the same period.
LG plans to leverage its extensive experience in supplying chillers to power plants, data centers and other facilities, along with its high-efficiency core technologies, to actively target the data center cooling market. In addition, LG is preparing to commercialize new solutions, such as liquid immersion cooling, which are gaining traction in the market.
“By 2030, 50 Percent of Total Sales and 75 Percent of Operating Profit Will Come from B2B, Platform-Based and New Businesses”
To achieve its mid- to long-term goals outlined in Future Vision 2030, LG will consistently drive business portfolio innovation. The company aims to generate 50 percent of total sales and 75 percent of operating profit from three key focus areas: expanding platform-based services, accelerating the growth of B2B and nurturing New-to-LGE businesses.
“These goals are rapidly becoming a reality,” said CEO Cho. “We will ensure that LG’s new value proposition is recognized by all stakeholders, securing sustainable growth and profitability over the long term.”
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* Amounts in Korean won (KRW) are translated into U.S. dollars (USD) at the average rate for the six-month period of the year 2024 — KRW 1,349.55 per USD.
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By Cihanimus
I used to have a JBL soundbar, connected via ARC. Now I switched to Denon soundbar again with ARC connection. But my tv doesn't turn off now, although all other functions are working fine on the remote. Any idea?
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