“We’re focusing the company’s capability on the smart industry that combines logistics, energy, and healthcare. In the national market, as soon as from 2021, there will be results based on the collaboration with SMEs.”Mr. Park, the Korea regional director of STMicroelectronics, emphasized as such in the interview with a reporter. After being appointed as the regional director last December, this is his first interview with the media.
The main products produced by STMicro are digital-analog mixed-signal chips such as a micro control unit(MCU), sensors, and power semiconductors, in addition to analog semiconductors. Among the prosperity of memory semiconductors like DRAM and NAND flash memory, STMicro recorded the same growth rate as Toshiba Memory (16%, year-over-year).
Mr. Park said that “Although this year’s company results are good, the growth was less than optimal due to the set industry’s set back in Korea including reduced sales of smartphones” and added, “in the short term, the set sales should increase; however, we are progressing with the mid to long-term growth strategy through collaboration with SMEs in the smart industry sector.”
The national sales ratio of STMicro are as follows: cars·power semiconductor 27%, sensors 30%, MCU·Digital IC 28%, and others for a analogue semiconductor 15%. Due to the nature of the automobile market, the sales record is stable. In terms of sensors and MCU, however, if the front industry experiences a drought, they are likely to follow suit.
Mr. Park mentioned that “STMicro has an ample amount of experience in collaborating with SMEs worldwide based on the vertical integration including semiconductor design, production, product development, and support” and said, “It has already partnered with more than 10 companies in Korea alone, and we expect to have results as soon as 2021.” The business model is that the partnered company manufactures and sells after STMicro provides required semiconductors and development tools. As the significant growth of the smart industry is being expected, the plan is to catch the given opportunity.
Mr. Park said that “Although collaborating with Korean SMEs may have some risks, we have accumulated enough experience to deal with them. Also, if possible, we’ve also considered the overseas markets” and added, “With products that are satisfactory in terms of quantity and quality, we will proceed with the mid-to-long term growth engine strategy while maintaining our basic business.”
Mr. Park joined STMicro in 1998. From 2000 to 2008, as a part of the Asian-Pacific team, he worked as a DSG advance marketing and AMG application marketing manager in Hongkong and Shanghai. From 2012, he worked as a Sales Team director responsible for major national company clients.
