Samsung Evolution

Samsung – such a familiar word for most people – but just a few know what it really means. Samsung in Korean means and symbolizes ‘Be strong and shine brightly forever’.

The company was established in 1938 by Lee Byung-chul and over the next three decades, the group dealt with food processing, textiles, insurance, securities and retail. Samsung entered the electronics industry in the late 1960s and – through an incredible journey – became one of the highest global brands today.

New direction
In 2002, one affiliate of the Group, Samsung SDI opened a Hungarian branch in Göd, north of Budapest, producing display tubes for televisions. A few years later, the company announced its new worldwide direction towards
green energy and the factory in Göd was closed down. Today, Samsung manufactures rechargeable batteries for the IT industry, automobiles, and energy storage systems (ESS), as well as cutting-edge materials used to produce semiconductors, displays, and solar panels.

Back in production
The factory reopened in Göd in 2017 with production focused on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for the automobile industry. The company was re-established in Göd because the major players of the automotive industry are located in Europe and they prefer the suppliers of key components for vehicle production to be nearby so that these suppliers can immediately react to their requests. Of course, Samsung already had experience with Hungary from the past, thanks to the previous factory, so the company was aware of the qualifications of the workforce here.

Major expansion
The batteries manufactured in Göd are shipped mainly to Europe and America to the top players of the automotive industry, to be used in hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and full-electric (EV) models. As the industry’s creative leader, Samsung SDI always provides the latest and best technological solutions for its partners. A major expansion of Samsung SDI's plant in Göd was announced last October. Today, the production and area expansion are taking place at the same time. With an investment of EUR 1.2 billion, 1,200 new jobs will be created and the volume of battery production will increase significantly.

Environment-friendly solutions
Samsung SDI’s products contribute to the spread of environmentally friendly transport and sustainable mobility. As a green company, Samsung SDI places great emphasis on protecting the environment for future generations. The company will soon publish its environmental report, detailing the measures and rules that have been taken to minimize the impact on the environment.