LG Establishes HVAC Company as Demand for Air Cooling Products Soars

With the rapid growth of its heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) business, LG Electronics (LG) has today announced the establishment of a standalone company focussed on accelerating growth in the business.  

Previously, the HVAC business was clustered with home appliances under the Home Appliance and Air Solutions (H&A) Company.

The establishment of the HVAC company is part of LG’s plans to aggressively expand its presence in the cooling systems and air solutions market, in line with increasing global demand.

According to global market research firm IBISWorld, the global HVAC market is projected to grow from $58.4 billion (KES 7.6 trillion) in 2023 to $61 billion (KES 8 trillion) by 2028.

In August, LG CEO Cho Joo-wan announced plans to develop new businesses capable of generating over 1 trillion won (KES 93 billion) in annual revenue, with a particular focus on HVAC systems. Earlier this year, Cho highlighted the company’s strategic shift towards B2B operations, prioritizing HVAC products.

Globally, LG operates a wide range of research and education programs to foster over 37,000 HVAC engineers annually in 43 countries. It has established an LG HVAC Academy training center in 62 locations worldwide. In Kenya, the LG HVAC Academy is run as a partnership with the University of Nairobi. The academy enhances the skill-and knowledge-base of local technicians, equipping them with the ability to ensure the optimal set-up and performance of the company’s advanced HVAC solutions – which is crucial in delivering the differentiated customer experiences LG is known for.

The establishment of the HVAC company is part of a series of organizational changes and executive appointments following the approval of its board of directors. This restructuring aims to accelerate the company’s mid- to long-term strategy, “Future Vision 2030,” by enhancing inter-organizational synergy and innovating its business portfolio.

The restructuring focuses on regrouping LG’s business operation units^* to maximize the potential of existing businesses, strengthen platform-based service operations, accelerate B2B initiatives and secure new growth engines in promising sectors. These changes are designed to enhance efficiency through the strategic selection and concentration of capabilities, thereby creating greater synergy between businesses and bolstering future competitiveness.

To spearhead this transformation, LG has appointed skilled individuals with exceptional expertise, emphasizing the enhancement of the company’s long-term competitiveness through the development of high-performing organizations.

Key Changes in Business Structure

The Overseas Sales & Marketing Company will now function as the overseas B2B control tower. Additionally, display-based operations – including TVs, monitors, and signage – will be integrated to foster synergies and expand platform-based service businesses. New growth engines will be strategically relocated to Companies with greater business relevance, ensuring more stable support and creating synergies across business areas.

All four Companies will now incorporate “Solution” in their names, reflecting LG’s evolution into a Smart Life Solution provider that connects and enhances customer experiences across various environments, including homes, commercial spaces, mobility and virtual platforms.

Restructuring of Companies

LG has restructured its four Companies into the Home Appliance Solution (HS) Company, the Media Entertainment Solution (MS) Company, the Vehicle Solution (VS) Company, and the Eco Solution (ES) Company. This reorganization redefines their roles and identities within LG.

The H&A Company will be renamed HS Company to align with its vision of “Zero Labor Home, Makes Quality Time.” To support this vision, LG will move the Platform Business Center – responsible for the planning, development and operation of LG ThinQ – directly under HS Company. This strategic realignment aims to establish HS Company as a leader in AI solutions across diverse spaces, including homes, commercial areas and vehicles, effectively addressing customer needs outside traditional home settings. Furthermore, HS Company will incorporate the Robot Business Division from the BS Company to integrate core robot technologies into its home robot solutions. Lyu Jae-cheol will continue to lead HS Company.

The HE Company will change its name to MS Company to align with its goal of becoming a media and entertainment platform powerhouse. It will integrate the Information Display business and Information Technology business from the BS Company with its TV business to create synergies in hardware and platform operations. Park Hyoung-sei will continue to lead the MS Company, driving its transformation into a media and entertainment platform.

The MS Company will accelerate the expansion of platform-based service business areas by broadening the application of webOS, which was primarily used in smart TVs, to monitors, signage and in-vehicle infotainment systems. webOS will evolve into an integrated content and services platform for both indoor and outdoor use, enhancing competitiveness through synergy and improved business structure.

The VS Company will clarify its role by changing its name from Vehicle component Solutions Company to Vehicle Solution Company, emphasizing its commitment to providing innovative solutions across the entire automotive ecosystem. Eun Seok-hyun will continue to lead the company.

The ES Company has been newly established. The HVAC business, previously part of the H&A Company and a significant contributor to LG’s B2B growth, will now operate as a standalone entity under the ES Company. Lee Jae-sung, the current head of the Air Solution Business Division, will lead the ES Company, ensuring continuity in the HVAC business and maintaining its strategic direction.

Given the project-based nature of the HVAC business and the specific characteristics of the market and its customers, LG has determined that operating it as an independent Company will maximize future competitiveness and growth potential. With the establishment of the ES Company, LG aims to position itself as a global leader in comprehensive air solutions.

Additionally, the ES Company will assume responsibility for the electric vehicle charging business from the BS Company and play a pivotal role in driving B2B growth within the clean tech sector, one of LG’s key future growth engines.

Meanwhile, to enhance the competitiveness of overseas B2B operations, LG will establish the B2B Business Capability Enhancement Division under the Overseas Sales & Marketing Company.

The Chief Strategy Office (CSO), acting as LG’s future strategy control tower, will also oversee AI acceleration and respond to global AI developments. The Chief Digital Office, previously responsible for digital transformation, will be reorganized into the DX Center and transferred directly under the CSO. The DX Center will focus on driving business performance through generative AI technologies and will be led by Cho Jung-bum.

The executive appointments emphasize the selection of diverse talents with proven expertise in sales, services and R&D. Jung Pil-won, currently leading the TV Overseas Sales & Marketing Group, has been appointed as the MEA Region Representative, recognizing his extensive experience in overseas sales management and his deep understanding of the Middle Eastern and African markets. Additionally, Kim Jung-ho, Kim Yoo-seon and Choi Jung-won, who head the subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia, Poland and Malaysia respectively, have been promoted to executive positions in acknowledgment of their significant contributions to business growth.

All appointments are effective December 1, 2024, with promotions taking effect on January 1, 2025.

^* In LG’s organizational structure, the main business operation units are termed “Companies.”