November 23, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics said on Jan. 15 that it has started production of washing machines at its latest home appliance factory in Newberry, South Carolina.

The tech giant plans to churn out 1 million washers annually at the new factory, and will invest US$380 million by 2020 to help create up to 1,000 new jobs, the company said.

Samsung and South Carolina officials celebrate the opening of the tech firm’s home appliance factory in the US state

In November last year, the US International Trade Commission announced safeguard measures, recommending a 50-percent tariff on imported washers of Samsung and LG Electronics in excess of the 1.2 million quota. US electronics firm Whirlpool had requested a probe claiming the Korean companies hurt the economy by dumping products.

The Donald Trump administration is expected to take a decision on the ITC’s recommendation as early as this month.

Samsung had sped up construction of the washer factory following the US government’s recent push for protectionism, aimed at creating jobs and invigorating the local economy. Samsung’s new factory was initially planned to go online in the second quarter this year.

“I hope Samsung can take a leap forward with the opening of the new factory in South Carolina,” said Henry McMaster, state governor, in the opening ceremony held on Jan. 12 (local time).

LG is investing US$2.5 million to construct manufacturing facilities in Clarksville, Tennessee, which is expected to start operations this year.

By Kim Young-won (wone010@heraldcorp.com)