[아이뉴스24 장유미 기자] Samsung Electronics, which suffered hundreds of billions of billion won in damage due to a recent cold wave in Texas, stopped operations at the Austin semiconductor plant, rolled up its arms to help local residents. In the absence of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, he once again revealed his determination to fulfill its social responsibilities with a vision of’accompaniment’.
According to the Samsung Electronics US Newsroom on the 5th, Samsung Electronics will donate $1 million (approximately 1,131.9 million won) to the Texas community. The donation will be used to victims of the cold wave in north central Texas.
“There were people who needed help, and we want to help,” said Choi Kyung-sik, CEO of Samsung Electronics in North America. “We will provide support as quickly as possible to the members of the community we work with.”
After establishing a semiconductor factory in Austin, Texas in 1998, Samsung Electronics is operating a line that produces 14-nanometer (nm, 1nm = 1 billionth of a meter) system semiconductor. It employs 6,000 people and has invested more than 17 billion dollars to date. Last year, it achieved sales of 3.91 trillion won here.
However, due to the impact of this cold wave, the operation of the plant was stopped from the 16th of last month as it disrupted the supply of electricity and water essential for semiconductor production. It is known that the amount of damage resulting from this is around 200 billion won only that has been identified so far. There is also a forecast that it will take at least 2 to 3 months to normalize, as detailed management and inspection are required to restart the fab that has been stopped once.
It is reported that Samsung Electronics has prepared measures under the assumption that it will not be able to operate until the 24th. In addition, about 100 technicians have been dispatched to the local area to inspect facilities. However, it is known that they are in a situation where they are in a situation where they have to pay a considerable amount of penalties because they cannot supply the goods in time. Tesla shut down its Fremont plant in California for about two weeks in the wake of the shutdown of Samsung Electronics’ Austin plant.
Even in such a situation, Samsung Electronics’ donations to help local residents are interpreted as a step toward realizing Lee’s vision of’companion’. Vice Chairman Lee emphasized at the founding ceremony of Samsung Electronics’ 50th anniversary in 2019 that “shareholders, partners, and society share and grow together is the path to the best in the world.” In addition, immediately after he was imprisoned in January, through a message in prison, he drew attention, urging him to be reborn as a Samsung that fulfills its social responsibilities.
Earlier, Samsung Electronics continued to contribute to the local community by donating more than 4 million dollars to US non-profit organizations to support Corona 19 last year.
“We are aware of the serious impact this cold wave has had on our lives and businesses,” said Sang-seop Sang-seop, head of Samsung Electronics’ Austin.
/ Reporter Yoomi Jang ([email protected])