The ZKW Group has had a branch in Incheon near Seoul in December. The lighting system manufacturer is thus expanding its range with the rear lights business from LG Electronics. The new location serves as a development center and sales office for the areas of lighting technology, electronics and design. The aim is to further expand business in the Korean automotive market and in the Asia-Pacific region. In the future, sensors for assistance systems for autonomous driving will also be installed in rear lights.
In addition, ZKW integrates the rear lights production from LG Electronics in Ningbo, China. “The new locations complement our portfolio with the strategically important area of the rear lights. They are another milestone in the direction of a 360-degree offer for the automotive industry, ”explains Oliver Schubert, Managing Director of ZKW.
When LG took over ZKW in 2018, it was agreed that the “Exterior Lighting for Automotive” business area would be jointly developed and that ZKW’s core competence of headlights would be combined with LG’s rear light business.
This means that the Lower Austrian company is developing “into a competence center for light in LG Electronics’ vehicle solution segment,” said ZKW.
The tail light business is “a strategically valuable component because we have not yet been active in this segment,” said Schubert. By the end of 2020, there will be around 80 employees. They develop lighting systems with a focus on rear lights.
Tail lamp manufacturing in China
The taillights developed to date are manufactured in Ningbo, China. Previously, the production site in Ningbo was managed by LG Electronics’ Vehicle Solution and is now the responsibility of ZKW.
Ningbo is the extended workbench of the existing ZKW site in Dalian. Both manufacturing plants are located near strategically important trading hubs. “The takeover of the plant in Ningbo makes ZKW a full-service provider for headlights and taillights. We are striving for strong growth in the Asian market and want to increasingly supply local customers locally. We benefit from LG’s intensive networking, ”says Schubert.
(Red)
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