HK Signs 12 Billion Won Supply Contract with Hyundai Motor Group’s U.S. Subsidiary

The exterior view of the HK headquarters building

HK is accelerating its transition into a manufacturing solutions company by signing a contract worth 8.4 million dollars (approximately 12 billion won) with the U.S. subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group for the construction of a sheet metal processing automation line.

On March 19, HK announced that, through its U.S. branch HK America Inc., it has won a project to build a laser-based 'sheet metal processing automation line' worth about 8.4 million dollars (approximately 12 billion won) at Hyundai Translead’s new plant, which Hyundai Motor Group’s North American subsidiary is planning to establish in Chicago.

This project is distinguished by its integrated production solution, which goes beyond simple equipment supply to combine laser cutting processes with automation systems. The plant is expected to be built near Chicago and serve as a key production hub to strengthen Hyundai Translead’s position as the No. 1 player in the North American trailer market.

To move beyond its traditional focus on laser processing machine manufacturing, HK established a special business division several years ago and has been expanding its business centered on automation and large-scale equipment. More recently, it has been working with the three major Korean shipbuilders to replace the dozens of 'plasma processing machines' operated at each shipyard with 'ultra-large laser processing machines.'

Since its unveiling at last year’s Fabtech exhibition in Chicago, more than 10 units of this equipment have been sold in the U.S. market, leading to a growing backlog of orders. Each unit is a high-value facility priced at over 1 million dollars, contributing to the expansion of overseas sales.

Orders for this equipment from shipbuilders are expected to ramp up in the second half of this year. In addition to shipbuilders, installation projects are also underway at domestic and international plants of major Korean steelmakers, and HK is pursuing several automation line construction projects in the U.S. in collaboration with major Korean conglomerates.

Demand for sheet metal automation line construction is currently rising in the U.S. as a result of policies aimed at reviving the manufacturing industry. HK expects to achieve visible results this year.

An HK representative stated, "This contract is a meaningful achievement in our efforts to evolve beyond laser processing equipment into an integrated production solutions company based on automation. We will continue to expand our contract wins in the global sheet metal automation market, with a particular focus on the U.S."

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