LG Chem looks to secure talent in Europe
LG Chem CEO and Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol, second from right, speaks with participants in the firm's recruitment-related event held in a hotel in Frankfurt over the weekend. / Courtesy of LG Chem
By Jun Ji-hye
LG Chem is seeking to secure global talent in Europe in an effort to enhance its competitiveness in the fields of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and high-tech materials, the company said Sunday.
LG Chem CEO and Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol hosted a recruitment-related event over the weekend in Frankfurt with other key executives of the company, including a chief human resources officer.
Some 30 undergraduates and those in the master's and doctorate programs of 10 major universities in Europe, including the University of Oxford and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, were invited to the event, during which time Shin explained the vision of his company.
The nation's leading EV battery and chemicals producer has carried out recruitment-related events hosted by its CEOs in the United States, China and Japan.
It marked the first time for the firm to host such an event in Europe.
The company said European countries have a wealth of talent specializing in the fields of chemistry and materials.
It decided to host the event in Europe to strengthen the competitive power of its future growth engines such as EV batteries and advanced materials, it said.
Those who participated in the event mostly major in chemical engineering, new materials engineering and life science.
During the event, Shin stressed entrepreneurship, calling on the participants not to avoid taking risks in challenging new fields.
“LG Chem entered the list of top 10 global chemical companies for the first time among domestic enterprises, and ranked fourth on the list of the world's most valuable and strongest chemical companies. These achievements were possible as the company has encouraged its employees to challenge new fields for the past 72 years,” Shin said.
“Currently, about 5,400 researchers are working for LG Chem's research and development and studying technologies that will lead global industries in the fields of batteries and high-performance materials.”
Shin said those who enjoy adventurous research are needed now more than ever as companies are facing growing uncertainty and fiercer competition.
“We will offer various opportunities for excellent, talented individuals to implement what they dream of,” Shin said.
LG Chem has set up two production subsidiaries in Poland's Wroclaw, which manufacture EV batteries and engineering plastics. The firm also has two sales subsidiaries in Germany and Turkey, which have posted 1.3 trillion won ($1 billion) in sales.
Most of the firm's major clients are headquartered in Europe as well, including Volkswagen and Volvo.
The firm said its sales are expected to increase considerably after 2020 when the third-generation EVs, capable of running more than 500 kilometers on a single charge, are scheduled to be released.
LG Chem added Shin plans to host upcoming recruitment-related events in the United States and Japan that will take place within the year.