Jeonbuk-Style Smart Factories, Major Shift from Quantity to AI-Driven Qualitative Innovation

Support Provided to 133 Companies Over Two Years

'Jeonbuk-style Smart Manufacturing Innovation Project' results briefing. Provided by Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province

The 'Jeonbuk-Style Smart Manufacturing Innovation Project' promoted by Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province is shifting from quantitative growth to AI-based qualitative innovation. Having led the digital transformation of 133 manufacturing companies over the past two years and achieved tangible results, Jeonbuk will fully launch its AI transformation (AX) this year by establishing the 'Jeonbuk-Style Smart Manufacturing AI Pilot Factory', among other initiatives.

On February 11, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province announced that from 2024 to 2025, it had supported on-site innovation by introducing smart systems at 133 manufacturing companies over a two-year period. Thirty professional mentors stayed on-site at companies for six to eight weeks, identifying 2,142 tasks, of which 1,986 tasks, or 93%, were resolved immediately.

The mentors did not limit themselves to desk-bound consulting; instead, they worked side by side with workers, serving as a bridge that connected on-site voices to real innovation. More than 180 on-site inspections and meetings enabled them to closely identify corporate needs and swiftly resolve difficulties, which proved highly effective.

The results of comprehensive support that went beyond simple system implementation to include market expansion and environmental safety are also noteworthy. Experts with experience at Samsung were deployed to provide all-round support, from process analysis to technology and marketing.

As a result, participating companies achieved management improvements such as a 76% increase in productivity, a 39% reduction in delivery time, a 53% decrease in defect rates, and a 24% reduction in costs. Average sales per company increased by 801 million won, and 61 new jobs were created, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.

Based on these achievements, the province will focus on the 'qualitative advancement' of smart factories starting this year. The core is the creation of AI pilot factories. Pilot factories will be selected in key provincial industries such as agro-bio and machinery parts to test AI- and robot-based intelligent processes. A data management infrastructure based on virtual environments using digital twins will also be established.

The AI pilot factories will serve not merely as facilities but as key hubs of Jeonbuk-style smart manufacturing policy. They will verify AI technologies in actual manufacturing sites and provide standard models that other companies can benchmark.

In particular, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province has a high proportion of non-digital manufacturing industries such as automobiles and food, so the ripple effect of AI adoption is expected to be significant. Food and automotive parts account for 44% of smart factory construction in the province, creating optimal conditions to spread validated AI models to many companies.

The support method will also be completely overhauled. Instead of fragmented support chosen by companies, it will be converted into a package-type comprehensive support system that integrates process system construction, on-site innovation, market access, and environmental safety, thereby enhancing support efficiency and the level of impact perceived by companies.

For companies with low system utilization, customized consulting will be provided in parallel to help internalize their digital transformation capabilities. Additional support within the same phase will be allowed to firmly establish the basics, and post-implementation management will be strengthened to secure the sustainability of innovation.

In addition, the province plans to systematize benchmarking based on on-site cases such as Samsung Electronics' Gwangju Plant and to establish transformation models specialized for Jeonbuk's key industries, thereby creating diffusion hubs that can be applied directly in the field.

The Director General of the Future Advanced Industry Bureau of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province said, "The practical support provided by on-site mentors produced results that are clearly proven by data," adding, "This year, we will strengthen end-to-end customized consulting and accelerate the creation of an innovation ecosystem so that the manufacturing industry in Jeonbuk can be reborn as a highly advanced, data-driven industry through AI pilot factories."

Meanwhile, the 2026 Jeonbuk-Style Smart Manufacturing Innovation Project was announced on February 11, and applications can be submitted through the Smart Factory Project Management System until mid-March.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.