A South Korean newspaper reported on Tuesday that Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are evaluating the possibility of relocating some home appliance manufacturing from their Mexican plants to facilities in the United States. This review follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a potential 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, set to take effect on February 1.
The proposed shift could shield American consumer electronics companies from higher tariffs and supply chain disruptions. Both electronics giants have operated manufacturing plants in Mexico since 2013, with Baja California emerging as a key hub for electronics production. The region, home to manufacturers such as MD Elektronik, Industronic, and Samsung Electronics, has become one of Mexico’s fastest-growing areas for electronics manufacturing.
In addition to protecting against tariffs, the move may make it easier for the firms to meet US customer demand for appliances such as washers and dryers. This is because the firms can produce and ship them to their US customers faster without waiting for the shipment to cross the Mexican border.
LG has a Newberry, South Carolina plant that manufactures dryers and washing machines. It also has a plant in Tennessee that makes refrigerators. Increasing production in the US would shorten the delivery time from the factory to its local customers and could reduce costs.
Both companies are working hard to meet their sustainability goals, including using more renewable energy to power their facilities and reducing their carbon footprint. For example, the new EV charger factory will use 100 percent green power. It also supports LG’s larger strategy of whole-home electrification, which empowers consumers to convert from fossil fuels to sustainable sources such as heat pumps, water heaters, and cooktops. The company’s ThinQ energy platform and ENERGY STAR-certified smart appliances can further lower electricity consumption and cost.
The new EV charging factory is housed in the North American headquarters innovation campus, which recently received LEED Platinum certification. This rating is the highest possible under LEED, and it recognizes buildings for their impact on occupant health, environmental outcomes, and resource efficiency. It also seeks to encourage social equity and celebrates the diversity of the built environment.
As the EV charger plant nears completion, the North American headquarters innovation campus will continue to grow and evolve with the latest technologies that open possibilities and transform lives. The site is currently home to more than 540 employees and will employ nearly 1,000 workers by 2020.
The new EV charging factory is just the latest of many investments by the electronics giant in Fort Worth. The company also operates a million-square-foot distribution center for consumer electronics and home appliances in the city, and it has invested in research and development facilities here for decades. This new investment in a state with robust economic growth is a testament to the long-term partnership between LG and North Texas. It is a relationship that continues to grow as LG expands its global presence and invests in the future of the digital economy.
