November 25, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Dacor, the Southern California oven-and-stove maker that was acquired by Samsung Electronics in September last year, is considering expanding its production plant in Los Angeles, the Korea Economic Daily reported on Jan. 11.

The expansion plans come as some big Korean firms -- including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Hyundai Motor -- are renewing their production strategies in the all-important US market amid protectionist moves by the incoming Donald Trump administration. 

“We are considering relocating some production lines in Southeast Asia and other regions to the US to meet the growing sales,” a Samsung executive was quoted as saying.

Darcor’s flagship appliances such as stoves and ovens are highly likely to be produced in the US, the report said.

Last week, Samsung and LG -- which has recently been slapped with hefty anti-dumping duties on its appliances produced in Mexico and China -- hinted that they could build new plants in the US for taxation and logistics benefits.

Hyundai Motor and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors are also said to be adjusting their production strategies in the US. Hyundai’s Alabama plant is operated at full capacity currently, while Kia last year completed a new production plant to export cars to the US.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)