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Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman and CEO Han Jong-hee / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics |
"We need to make efforts to make One Samsung," Vice Chairman and CEO Han Jong-hee, who handles the company's smartphone and consumer electronics divisions conveyed online to employees. "We need to remove the wall between the divisions developing businesses and products, and think and explore from the perspective of customers. This will become the starting point for a new scope of imagination and possibility."
In an organizational overhaul carried out Dec. 7, Samsung reintegrated its smartphone and home appliances divisions, nine years after they were separated.
Han said the organizational change was intended as "an opportunity to boost efforts to take the device business to new heights." Samsung remains the world's No. 1 smartphone vendor and No. 1 TV brand, but its competitors are quickly catching up with similar products such as foldable smartphones and premium TVs.
Samsung is seeking new opportunities in the Internet of Things (IoT) technology by connecting smartphones with household appliances. IoT refers to a an interconnected network system in which devices are embedded with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that enable them to exchange data with other devices.
The technology heavyweight is aiming to strengthen its product ecosystem beyond smartphones and smartwatches to encompass household appliances such as TVs and refrigerators. This is similar to Apple's strategy that keeps customers locked in its product ecosystem, including smartphones, tablets and computers.
Han is set to present the company's specified growth strategies at the Consumer Electronics Show 2022 to be held in January, where he will be delivering a keynote speech. He had headed the visual display business under the household appliances division since November 2017 and led R&D for Samsung's TVs.
"The keynote speech will showcase ways that we can help build a more sustainable planet, and demonstrate customized and connected experiences that can enrich people's lives," Samsung said.