LG's Wall Mounted Project Wins
2006 iF Design Gold Award

The world's first, functioning as both a projector and a wall decoration with its stylish appearance

LG Electronics (LG), a leader in consumer electronics and mobile communications, has announced its Wall-Mounted Projector (AN110) won the "Gold Award", which is the greatest honor in the iF Design Awards.
The 'Gold Award' is given to the best product of each category which has already won an iF Design Award. This year, the iF Design Award ceremony was held as a part of the CeBIT 2006 opening event.
LG's Wall Mounted Projector, the prestigious winner, is the world's first, one-of-a-kind product functioning not only as a projector but also as a wall decoration with its stylish appearance and minimalist design. The product has also won the 'Best of the Best' Reddot Design Award for its design excellence. In addition, the projector has previously won the 2006 CES Innovation Award for its innovative technology.
Mr. J.J. Shim, Head of LG Electronics Digital Display & Media Design Center said: "LG is incredibly proud to win the Gold Award, which is an 'Oscar' in the design industry. The award is an inspiration to LG to continue its design innovation and be a new leader of cultures and lifestyles."
LG's other winning products at iF Design Award 2006 include the 50" Plasma TV with Built-in DVR (50PB2DRA), Chocolate Phone (LG5900), Slim DMB Phone (SDMB4), Slim LCD Monitor (LX70), Digital Home PC (AV Center), Flat Speaker Home Theater (XHS-751TF), and the DVD Recorder with Integrated set-top box (RT-4800). LG won 11 iF Design Awards in total.
LG Establishes Air Conditioning Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia
LG Electronics(LG), a leader in consumer electronics and mobile communications, has signed a contract today with H.G. Ibrahim Shaker, the company's Saudi Arabian partner, to establish the LG-Shaker Air-Conditioning Company (tentative). The signing ceremony was held in Marriott Hotel located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on April 8.
H.Y. Nho, head of LG Electronics'Air-Conditioning Division, said, "Saudi Arabia is the biggest market in the Middle East. LG will build the complete local business system from the product development stage to sales. We plan to further strengthen our global network of air conditioning business by utilizing all regional production facilities, including the plant we will build in the country. After the completion of this new air conditioner production facility in Saudi Arabia, LG will have nine air conditioner production facilities located in all major home appliance markets around the world."
H.G. Ibrahim Shaker is LG's biggest partner in its air conditioner business in Saudi Arabia. The initial investment volume for the joint venture is USD 5.5 million. The joint venture will invest USD 30 million by 2010 in plant construction.
The new air conditioner production facility is being constructed in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh" 2nd Industrial City. It is set to open in the first half of 2007. The plant is expected to have an annual production capacity of 250,000 units by 2008.
LG Electronics plans to utilize the new facility as a foothold to move forward into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which consists of UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, by developing and producing localized products at competitive price while saving on expenses such as distribution costs and customs duties.
The Saudi Arabian air conditioner market is growing at an average rate of 7% annually. The market size was USD 400 million last year, and is expected to be USD 450 million this year. The market size is further expected to grow to approximately USD 700 million in 2011. Last year LG's market share in the country was 19%. The company aims to hold 22% of the market in 2006 and 30% in 2011, solidifying its No. 1 position in Saudi Arabian market.
LG currently operates air conditioner plants in Turkey, India, Thailand, Brazil, China and Korea. It signed a technological alliance contract in February with its Iranian partner 'Gold Iran'to build a plant in Iran. Production sites in Turkey and India supply the European and African markets, the plant in Brazil provides for the North and South American region, and the plant in Thailand serves the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). Additionally, the Korean plant functions as LG's air conditioning technology global R&D center, while the plant in China focuses on the domestic market.
When its ninth plant in Saudi Arabia begins operations, LG will have the strongest global air conditioner production network in the world. Local plants in Saudi Arabia and Iran, the region's two biggest home appliance markets, will allow LG to secure market leadership in the Middle East. nw

LG Electronics'Wall-Mounted Projector (AN110)