Present – 2005
Fortune Global Top Company, Samsung.
2004 – 2000
Pioneering the Digital Age
1999 – 1997
Advancing the Digital Frontier.
1996 – 1994
Becoming a Global Force.
1993 – 1990
Competing in a Changing Tech World.
1989 – 1980
Entering the Global Marketplace.
1979 – 1969
Diversifying in Electronics.
- Executives
- History
With the success of its electronics business, Samsung has been recognised globally as an industry leader in technology and now ranked as a top 10 global brand.
2019
· Unveiled the world’s first 75-inch MicroLED
· Unveiled ‘Samsung Bot’, robotics platforms for the future of AI
· Announced a new CSR vision: 'Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People'
· Marked a decade as the global industry leader in digital signage
· Released 5G smartphone ‘Galaxy S10 5G’
· Completed the development of EUV-based 5nm process technology
· Announced plans for KRW 133 trillion investment in logic chip business by 2030
· Began mass production of industry’s first 12Gb LPDDR5 mobile DRAM for premium smartphones
· Unveiled industry’s first 108MP image sensor for smartphones
· Released the ‘Galaxy Fold’, creating a whole new mobile category
· Introduced BESPOKE refrigerator, opening a new era of personalized appliances
· Provided the world’s first 8K HDR10+ content on its TVs
· Celebrated its 50ᵗʰ year anniversary
2018
· Launched ‘QLED 8K’ and world's first modular TV 'The Wall'
· Unveiled Samsung and HARMAN’s ‘2018 Digital Cockpit’
· Built cutting-edge EUV semiconductor line in Hwaseong, Korea
· Launched ‘Galaxy S9/S9+’ and ‘Galaxy Note9’
· Debuted world’s first ‘3D Cinema LED’ for movie theater
· Announced mid to long-term global expansion plans of renewable energy
· Mass produced the world’s first ‘fifth-generation V-NAND’ and developed ‘8Gb LPDDR5 D-RAM’
· Announced to invest KRW 180 trillion and hire 40,000 for next three years to revitalize the economy
· Established 7 Global AI Centers in Korea, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Russia
· Supplied the world’s first 5G network commercial equipment in the U.S. (FWA) and Korea (NR Mobile)
2017
· Completed acquisition of HARMAN
· Began mass production at new semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek, South Korea
· Started mass production of its 2nd Generation 10nm FinFET Process Technology and strengthened
advanced foundry portfolio with new 11nm LPP and 7nm LPP with EUV Technology
· Unveiled Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note8
· Brought QLED TVs and The Frame to global markets
· Bixby voice capabilities now available in over 200 locations globally
· Debuted world's first Cinema LED Screen
· Ranked no.6 in Interbrand's Best Global Brands 2017
2016
· Announced plan to acquire HARMAN
· Announced comprehensive roadmap to enhance long-term shareholder value creation
· Acquired Dacor, Joyent and Viv Labs
· Started industry’s first mass production of system-on-chip with 10-nanometer FinFET Technology
· Introduced world’s first Universal Flash Storage (UFS) removable memory card Line-up, offering up to
256-Gigabyte (GB) capacity
· Brought Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge to the global market
· Began mass producing world’s fastest DRAM – based on newest high bandwidth memory (HBM) interface
· Revealed spectacular 2016 Quantum dot TV lineup to begin a new decade of global TV leadership
2015
· Maintained No.1 position in the global TV market for 10 consecutive years
· Began mass production of the industry’s first 12Gb LPDDR4 mobile DRAM
· Unveiled SleepSense, a personal sleep monitoring device that helps people improve the quality of their
sleep
· Launched the Gear S2, a stylish smartwatch with a versatile circular design and rotating bezel
· Began mass production of the industry’s first 256Gb V-NAND flash memory
· Launched the mobile payment service, Samsung Pay
· Acquired YESCO, an American-based manufacturer of LED displays, and launched its LED signage business
· Unveiled the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge with the world’s first curved display on both sides
· Announced mass production of industry’s first 14nm FinFET mobile AP
2014
· Ranked as the 7th most valuable brand in the world, in Interbrand’s ‘Best 100 Global Brands 2014’ report
· Unveiled the Galaxy Note Edge, the world’s first smartphone with a curved edge screen, along with the
Gear S, the first wearable device featuring 3G connectivity
· Acquired SmartThings, a U.S.-based IoT (Internet of Things) platform developer
· Renewed Samsung’s agreement with the IOC, extending its sponsorship of the Olympic Games through to
2020
· Opened a new semiconductor factory in Xi’an, China
· Released the world’s first 105” curved UHD TV
· Started DRAM mass production with the industry’s first 20nm process technology (4Gb DDR3)
· Unveiled the world’s first 85’’ bendable UHD TV
2013
· Launched Galaxy S4 in the global markets
· Began mass producing the world's first 20 nanometer 4Gb ultra high-speed mobile DRAM
2012
· Took 9th place among global top 100 brands with a brand value of USD 32.9 billion
· The LCD business was sent to Samsung Mobile Display
2011
· Began construction of the 7.5G LCD manufacturing plant in Suzhou, China
· Signed a patent sharing license agreement with IBM
2010
· Acquired the medical equipment company, Medison
· Became the #1 global electronics company in sales
· Began mass producing 20nm-class, 64-gigabit 3-bit NAND flash memory
· Merged with Samsung Digital Imaging
· Launched the Galaxy smartphone series with the Android OS
2009
· Developed the world's first 40 nanometer DRAM
· Samsung's brand value was ranked No. 19 in the world by Interbrand's 2010 Best Global Brands
2008
· Established TV manufacturing in Russia
2007
· Became an official Olympic technology sponsor
2006
· Developed the world's first 40 nanometer 32Gb NAND flash memory, 50 nanometer 1GB DRAM memory
· Became an official sponsor of the Paralympic Games
· Became #1 in global TV market share
2005
· Became the official sponsor of Chelsea, the English Premier League football club
· Developed world's first 50 nanometers 16Gb NAND flash memory
The digital age has brought revolutionary change and opportunity to global business and Samsung Electronics has responded with advanced technologies, competitive products and constant innovation.
2004
· Established a LCD manufacturing facility in Tang jeong
· Established a System LSI R&D center in China
2003
· Established S-LCD with Sony, to manufacture TFT-LCD panels
· Established TSST, to manufacture optical storage devices
· Established SESK, a manufacturing subsidiary in Slovakia
· Became #1 globally in flash memory
· Achieved cumulative sales of over 10 million units for the SGH-T100 mobile phone launched in 2002
2002
· Became #1 in NAND flash memory and #2 in semiconductors worldwide
· Signed a patent sharing license agreement with IBM
2001
· Began mass production of 512Mb flash memory devices
· Created the World Cyber Games
· Established a Design Management Center
2000
· Recorded cumulative sales of over 100 million units of color TVs
Despite the 1997 financial crisis that affected nearly all Korean businesses, Samsung Electronics was one of the few companies that continued growing, thanks to its leadership in digital and network technologies and its steady concentration on electronics, finances and related services.
1999
· Developed the world's first 3D TFT-LCD Monitor
· Developed a wireless Internet phone (Smartphone)
· Launched the world's 1st MP3 mobile phone
1998
· Achieved top share of world's TFT-LCD market
· Began the mass production of world's first digital TV
· Developed a complete flat-screen TV
· Served as a Olympic Partner at the Nagano Winter Olympics
· Developed world's first 128MB Synchronous DRAM and 128MB Flash memory
1997
· Became a Worldwide Olympic Partner (TOP) in the wireless communications category
· Developed world's first complete 30" TFT-LCD
· Announced 2nd phase of "New Management"
In the mid-1990s Samsung Electronics revolutionised its business through a dedication to making world-class products, providing total customer satisfaction and being a good corporate citizen all under the vision of quality first. During this period, 17 different products from semiconductors to computer monitors, TFT-LCD screens to color picture tubes climbed into the ranks of the top-five products for global market share in their respective areas and 12 others achieved top market ranking in their areas. Being No.1 also means fulfilling corporate social obligations, whether the cause is social welfare, environmental conservation, cultural events or sports.
To that end, Samsung Electronics actively participated in sports marketing and as a result of its intensive efforts, its then-chairman, Kun-hee Lee, was selected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in July 1996, greatly enhancing the company image as a key contributor to world athletics.
1996
· Developed the 1G DRAM
· Began mass production of 64M DRAMs
1995
· Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) developed world’s first real-time MPEG-3 technology
· Developed the world’s first 33" double-screen TV
1994
· Developed the world’s first 256M DRAM
· Produced over 30 million microwave ovens
The early 1990s presented tremendous challenges for high-tech businesses. Mergers, coalitions and buy-outs were common while competition and consolidation flourished.
Companies were pressed to rethink their technology and services offerings. Business began to flow across borders between locations and companies. Samsung Electronics made the most of these opportunities by refocusing its business strategy to better respond to market demands.
1993
· Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) developed first-ever digital video disk recorder (DVD-R)
· Samsung Group enacted the company identity
· Samsung Group announced "New Management"
1992
· Developed mobile phone system
· Developed world's first 64M DRAM
· Produced over 10 million industrial robots
· Began manufacturing in China
1991
· Developed mobile phone handset
Samsung Electronics' core technology businesses diversified and expanded globally during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Samsung Electronics increasing focus on technology led to the creation of two research and development (R&D) institutes that helped expand its reach even further into electronics, semiconductors, optical telecommunications and new fields of technology innovation from nanotechnology to advanced network architectures. In 1980, a major milestone was the merger between Samsung Electronics and Samsung Semiconductor.
In 1987, Samsung Electronics' founding Chairman Byung-chull Lee passed away. His son, Kun-hee Lee, succeeded him as the new Chairman. During this period, Samsung Electronics challenged itself to restructure old businesses and enter new ones with the aim of becoming one of the world's top 5 electronics companies.
1989
· Produced over 20 million color TVs
1988
· Samsung Semiconductor & Telecommunications Co. merged with Samsung Electronics. Home appliances,
telecommunications and semiconductors were selected as core business lines
1987
· Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) opened for R&D purposes
1986
· Developed the world's smallest, lightest 4mm video tape recorder
1984
· Exported first VCRs to the US
· The company's name changed to "Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd"
· Sales exceeded 1 trillion won
1983
· Began production of personal computers (PCs)
1982
· Korea Telecommunications Co. was renamed as Samsung Semiconductor & Telecommunications Co.
· Produced 10 million black-and-white TVs
· Established 1st overseas manufacturing subsidiary in Portugal
· Semiconductor business was moved to Korea Electronics Information Co.
1980
· Began producing air conditioners
· Opened the R&D Center in Suwon
· Merged with Samsung Semiconductor Co.
Samsung Electronics was founded in 1969 and quickly became a major manufacturer in the Korean market.
During this initial period a burst of growth came from the burgeoning home electronics business and the company began exporting its products for the first time. Samsung Electronics also acquired a 50 percent stake in Korea Semiconductor; further solidifying Samsung Electronics' position as a leader in semiconductor manufacturing.
1979
· Began mass production of microwave ovens
· Developed VHS VCRs
· Acquired Korea Electronics Information Co.
1978
· Produced 4 million black-and-white TVs (the most in the world)
· Established first overseas office in the United States (SEA)
1977
· Started exporting color TVs
· Began mass producing color TVs
· Acquired Korea Semiconductor Co.
1976
· Produced 1 million black-and-white TVs
1975
· Launched world's third 'Quick Start' system TV (Product Name: Econo TV)
1974
· Began washing machine and refrigerator production
1972
· Began production of black-and-white televisions for the domestic market
1971
· Began exporting black-and-white TVs to Panama
1970
· Black-and-white TV (model: P-3202) production started by Samsung-Sanyo
1969
· Samsung-Sanyo Electronics was established (renamed Samsung Electro-Mechanics in March 1975 and
merged with Samsung Electronics in March 1977)
· Established "Samsung Electronics Industry Co Ltd."
