Where is Samsung Televisions Made?

Samsung, despite being a South Korean corporation, manufactures its televisions in factories across the globe. These locations include China, Vietnam, Slovakia, Mexico, Russia, and, of course, South Korea. This globalized approach to manufacturing is driven by cost considerations and proximity to essential component suppliers.

The production strategy for Samsung TVs often involves manufacturing premium display screens in South Korea and then shipping them to other countries for final assembly. This allows Samsung to leverage South Korea’s expertise in display technology while capitalizing on lower labor and production costs in other regions.

The decision of where to manufacture specific models often hinges on factors like scale and the cost of establishing component manufacturing plants, particularly for display panels. Many of these specialized factories, crucial for efficient production, are now located in China. This concentration of suppliers in China makes it a cost-effective location for manufacturing a significant portion of Samsung’s TVs.

Samsung’s primary supplier of display panels, LG Display, has faced financial challenges. These losses are attributed to increased competition from emerging technologies like Micro LED, championed by Chinese companies like TCL, which are challenging the dominance of LG’s OLED panels.

Even top-tier Samsung and LG televisions, while often assembled in South Korea, utilize components sourced from various countries. The bulk of their TV production takes place outside of South Korea to optimize costs and streamline the supply chain.

Competition in the display panel market extends beyond TVs. Apple, a major consumer of OLED panels for its iPhones, has faced challenges with its supplier, BOE. Quality issues with BOE’s production have led Apple to increase its reliance on Samsung Display for OLED panels, highlighting the ongoing competition and shifting dynamics in the display technology sector. This reinforces Samsung’s prominent position in the global display market.

LG, in response to market pressures, is concentrating on premium products and venturing into new sectors like electric vehicles to bolster profitability. The company is also grappling with restructuring its display business, aiming to balance maintaining employment in South Korea with the increasing shift of display manufacturing to China. The evolving landscape of the electronics industry, with Chinese manufacturers increasingly challenging established players like LG and Samsung, underscores the complexities of global manufacturing and supply chains.

To enhance competitiveness and adapt to market trends, LG Electronics recently established a research and development center in Indonesia. This strategic move aims to leverage lower costs and improve efficiency in product development and TV production. The new facility signifies LG’s commitment to innovation and its efforts to optimize its global operations in a competitive market.