Lee stresses quality control

Samsung boss takes harder look at mobiles, white goods

By Kim Yoo-chul

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee is shifting his sights to significantly improving the quality of key products amid a deepening legal battle between Samsung and its top U.S. client, Apple.

The business tycoon has already clarified his firm intention to lead an anti-graft drive after he deplored the fact that the group’s ``clean corporate culture’’ was tarnished.

``Attention is now being focused on what new theme the chairman is to present regarding product quality control and reliability,’’ said an unnamed Samsung executive.

The Samsung chairman will attend the firm’s internal product comparison event at its compound in Suwon, which will run through July, Samsung spokeswoman Chae Su-yeon said.

The biennial event is seen as an opportunity to compare Samsung products to those of the company’s overseas rivals such as Apple and Hewlett-Packard (HP).

Hundreds of products by Sony, Panasonic and Sharp of Japan, in addition to General Electric (GE) and Nokia will also be available for deep analysis and comparison, officials said.

This is the first time in four years that the chairman will attend. At his last appearance in 2007, when Samsung was grappling with an economic downturn, Lee was quoted as saying, ``Crisis is an opportunity.’’

At this year’s intramural event, Lee’s top lieutenant Kim Soon-taek, Samsung Electronics CEO Choi Gee-sung and Lee Jae-yong, a Samsung president and Lee’s only son, will be on hand.

Samsung Techwin recently recalled air-compressors and Samsung Electronics has offered free maintenance checks for its air-conditioners.

``Chairman Lee is expected to ask top executives to immediately implement strengthened measures to drastically improve the quality of products,’’ said another Samsung executive.

The Samsung owner is also checking Samsung’s years-long efforts to create an effective digital eco-system.

``The current phases of Samsung’s new businesses that range from biosimilars and medical equipment to solar cells will be checked by the chairman,’’ added the executive. Samsung announced its plan to invest 23 trillion won in these new growth businesses.

Samsung has so far been investing heavily to strengthen its client and procurement channels, marketing, brand awareness and hardware-driven capabilities and it’s becoming the targets from traditional technology giants.

Apple sued Samsung in April on the grounds that the Galaxy S smartphones and the Galaxy Tab computers bear too close a resemblance to the iPhone and iPad.