2021 Global Manager Tech Fair
Use of cutting-edge technology and build a win-win ecosystem
Emphasis on shared growth tailored to customer business
“Continue to be innovative to meet customer’s future business.” Domestic and foreign technology company leaders emphasized the 'customized innovation types' as a survival strategy for materials, parts, and equipment manufacturers. It emphasizes on mutual growth by understanding the customer business roadmap in advance and achieving technological innovation. The companies came up with the use of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the establishment of a win-win cooperation ecosystem, and the preemptive response to market demand as ways to achieve the mutual growth.
On the 17th, high-tech companies such as Nvidia, SK Nexilis, Doosan Fuel Cell, Lam Research Manufacturing Korea, and Wacker Chemical Korea participated in the '2021 Global Materials, Parts, and Equipment Tech Fair' co-hosted by the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology and EtNews, and shared their innovative methods. Eung-joon Yoo, CEO of NVIDIA Korea, was in charge of the keynote speech, and presented AI as a means of innovation.
NVIDIA is providing an AI platform capable of accelerated computing to numerous enterprises, including data centers, automobiles, and the Internet. CEO Yoo said, “‘Time to market’ (period for service and product launch) is important. We will be able to respond quickly to the market demand through AI rather than developing processes one by one.”
CEO Yoo introduced examples of innovation using AI platforms from automakers such as BMW, Benz, and Audi. BMW has significantly improved the assembly and logistics efficiency of auto parts by introducing Nvidia’s AI robot simulation platform to the manufacturing site. CEO Yoo explained, “BMW controlled 30 million parts with an AI platform, standardizing the process, and significantly reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO).”
SK Nexilis emphasized technological innovation tailored to customer needs. An ultra-thin copper foil with a thickness of 3 micrometers (㎛) was introduced as an example, focusing on the main concerns of battery manufacturers of having both large-capacity and light-weight. By developing ultra-thin copper foil prior to their competitors, SK Nexilis was able to advance the development of large-capacity batteries for the customers.
Doosan Fuel Cell, which operates a hydrogen fuel cell business, is also preparing for future demand. The managing director Sang-jin Moon of Doosan Fuel Cell said, “There is a limit to supplying high-voltage power to the current power grid if the number of electric vehicles that want rapid charging increases. We are preparing to build a multi-purpose power generation facility that can be rapidly charged using hydrogen fuel cells.” Wacker Chemical Korea has also developed various products such as adhesives, potting, coating, and filming agents using pollution-free silicone in line with the recent environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) management trends.
A win-win with solution was also presented as an innovation method. Lam Research Manufacturing Korea has been producing semiconductor equipment with domestic small manufacturers for over 20 years. Che-soo Lee, CEO of Lam Research Manufacturing Korea, said, “As a result of the creation of a win-win ecosystem, there are cases in which domestic manufacturing equipment is supplied to the global market as well as nurturing the capabilities of domestic partners.”
On this day, a one-on-one consultation session was held for business cooperation between supply and demand companies in the field of small manufacturers. Companies such as SK Hynix, Samsung Display, and LG Display discussed new business and technological cooperation plans with about 140 sub-manager suppliers. A total of 500 companies participated in the event held both on- and offline. Yang-ho Chung, director of the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology and Management, said, “It has become an important opportunity for technological development and commercialization by sharing the roadmap of domestic small materials, parts, and equipment manufacturers. Next year will be marking the 10th anniversary of the Global Materials, Parts, and Equipment Tech Fair to decorate an upgraded event.”
By Staff Reporter Dong-jun Kwon (djkown@etnews.com)