Breeding medical equipment business as one of its five future growth engines, Samsung Group will bring together its research and engineering work force in one location hub in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province.

Samsung Electronics designs, manufactures and sells X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems through its Health & Medical Equipment business unit spun off from its consumer electronics (CE) division, while its subsidiary Samsung Medison focuses on the development of ultrasound devices.

The duo recently worked together to release a new ultrasound system for university hospitals. But some industry observers said they could have reduced development time if their collaboration had been more active.

The Pangyo building formerly used by Samsung C&T’s construction unit will be re-occupied by 600 sales and marketing employees from Samsung Medison located in Daechi-dong, Seoul and some employees from Samsung Electronics’ medical equipment business unit. Once workforce from the two businesses comes under one building site, synergy between the two will be enhanced, Samsung expected.

Samsung Electronics tried to combine the medical equipment business unit with Samsung Medison in 2015 but failed due to internal reasons. Since then Samsung has explored various ways to increase collaboration between the two organizations. Dongsoo Jun, who has led Samsung Electronics’ medical equipment division as president since 2015, was appointed to double as CEO of Samsung Medison in 2016.

Samsung Electronics’ medical equipment business unit has deepened its research into developing more customer-focused CT and MRI products to increase its global footprint.

Samsung Medison acquired by Samsung Electronics in 2011 turned into black last year after recording losses in its business for two consecutive years.

By Lee Dong-in and Minu Kim

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