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Intel CEO to visit Seoul in December

November 22, 2013

Brian Krzanich
Intel CEO

By Kim Yoo-chul

Brian Krzanich, chief executive of Intel, will visit Seoul in December to meet its major Korean clients, Samsung and LG Electronics, industry sources said.

The visit was planned as part an effort to speed up Intel’s move to diversify its portfolio into mobile devices and other new markets. The CEO plans to meet top executives of both Samsung and LG during his stay here.

“Krzanich will visit Korea as the CEO next month. Intel needs substantial support from Samsung and LG to sharpen its mobile and processor business,” said an industry source said, asking not to be named.

The official said Intel is now scheduling his business meetings with top executives of the Korean manufacturers, including Samsung Electronics co-CEO Shin Jong-kyun and LG’s mobile chief Park Jong-seok.

Park Min-jin, a spokeswoman for Intel Korea, said she has no information about the visit by its CEO. Officials at Samsung and LG declined to confirm the information.

As Samsung is cutting its heavy reliance on Google Android software, Krzanich is expected to talk with his Samsung counterpart about how to fine-tune developments of Tizen software, officials said.

“Because Samsung is very interested in strengthening its logic chip-making business, the latest decision by Intel to open up its factories to any company will be more than welcomed. Intel may manufacture Samsung logic chips on a contract basis, and Samsung will access Intel’s confidential data for chips, which is a win-win strategy for both,” said the source.

Samsung is one of the potential manufacturers of the Intel chips, said the officials.

As for LG Electronics, the U.S. chipmaker is likely to ask LG to share information with LG’s key electric-vehicle clients, such as Renault and General Motors, as Intel is apparently attempting to use those top-tier LG clients in a strategy to boost the sale of its Atom-branded processors, the source said.

“Considering LG’s increased focus on strengthening its vehicle-component business, Intel plans to provide know-how in chips, while LG will partner for Atom processors to be used in car infotainment systems for upcoming electric vehicles,” said an official at LG.

LG Electronics is developing car infotainment systems with LG Chem, which is the top global battery supplier for electric vehicles.