Month: March 2022

Proven GCC presence creates a significant entrepreneurial opportunity

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Chem-Dry has announced the availability of a Master Franchise agreement for Saudi Arabia.

The new Master Franchise opportunity, made available following the previous owners’ retirement, will continue to build on this durable international brand’s success in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations such as Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

“We are very excited to provide this rare opportunity for an entrepreneur to take over a proven, valuable Master Franchise,” according to Joe Manuszak, Vice President of Global Development. “Chem-Dry has had great success previously in the Saudi market, and we are looking forward to finding a new partner for this market.”

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet, upholstery and hard-surface floor cleaning brand, and is the premier leader of stain removal for carpets and flooring with nearly 3,500 franchises serving more than 11,000 homes and businesses a day in 55 countries.

The innovative Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction process delivers a faster-drying, deeper and more environmentally friendly clean that appeals to home and business owners in all markets worldwide. Chem-Dry also provides cleaning and renewal services for tile and stone, granite countertops, leather and upholstery, air ducts and dryer vents. Chem-Dry is a world leader in sanitizing services, on the leading edge of green technology with over 50 products that merit green certification.

The new Master Franchise owner will control the franchising rights to all of Saudi Arabia, with the right to develop as many franchise locations as they wish. Master Franchise owners also immediately tap into a global business with a proven track record, tested and successful marketing, operational and training material, as well as full support from Chem-Dry’s international office as well as their fellow Master Franchise in nearby GCC nations.

“Chem-Dry’s proven track record in this region speaks for itself,” says Joe Manuszak, Vice President of Global Development. “Almost 50 years of strong growth in the United States, as well as a constantly expanding global footprint, shows that Chem-Dry is a dynamic, multifaceted business that succeeds in any economy, and is adaptable to a wide variety of cultures. We are certain that our new Master Franchise partner in Saudi Arabia will start strong, and grow quickly, in that unique and vibrant market, and compliment our fellow Master Franchise owners in the GCC.”

To learn more about Chem-Dry and its global franchise opportunities, visit:

www.chemdryinternational.com

Contact:
Joe Manuszak
Vice President, International Development
joe.manuszak@hrisupport.com
+1 616 560 8686

World Economic Forum Recognizes LG for Innovative Digital Transformation of Its Home Appliance Manufacturing Facility in South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea, March 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ —  LG Smart Park, a production base of LG Electronics (LG), has been selected as a Lighthouse Factory by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Shaping the future of manufacturing, WEF “Lighthouse” facilities implement Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, such as the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence and robots, into manufacturing and supply chain operations to deliver a wide range of benefits, from increased production efficiency to enhanced environmental sustainability.

“As the world grapples with many challenges, it is remarkable to see how Lighthouses are yielding sustainability benefits while achieving business goals, which we call eco-efficiency,” said Francisco Betti, Head of Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains, World Economic Forum. “We need them to continue illuminating the way forward for the global manufacturing community by shaping a responsible future of manufacturing that works for people, society and the environment.”

Over the past five years, LG has transformed its factory complex in Changwon, South Korea into LG Smart Park, a futuristic hub of home appliance manufacturing. The key elements of the transformation are a digitally-enabled end-to-end three-dimensional logistics system, an advanced analytics system based on edge computing technology and machine learning that predicts defects, and state-of-the-art facilities that can mass-produce multiple models to respond flexibly to customer requirements.

The newly implemented “digital twin” technology enables the operation system to analyze production processes in virtual reality. It can predict if any issues will occur within the next 10 minutes and provide exact parts and materials for the assembling of each appliance with an accurate, up-to-the-minute status of the facility’s logistics operations. Sensors utilizing deep learning technology are installed throughout the factory to monitor each phase of production in real-time, helping factory workers to preemptively identify and resolve any possible issues. As a result, the cost of defective product returns dropped by 70 percent from 2020 to 2021 while overall quality competitiveness^[1] and production efficiency^[2] were both significantly strengthened.

Floors one, two and three at LG Smart Park employ an overhead conveyor system that quickly transports boxes containing refrigerator parts to the required production lines. Attached to each line is an intelligent warehouse that monitors inventory in real-time, enabling automated materials management, including the request of additional parts and supplies.

On the ground, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) leveraging stable 5G network connectivity transport parts and materials to wherever they are needed on site. Through its three-dimensional logistics automation system, the company can minimize the amount of warehouse space needed by 30 percent compared to conventional logistics systems, and shorten the time required for hourly materials transportation by 25 percent.^[1]

LG Smart Park has also adopted the use of robots featuring an AI engine and camera to make the home appliance production process faster and safer. The robots undertake dangerous and complicated tasks, such as welding and the lifting of heavy parts and equipment.

LG plans to apply the innovative, smart production technologies pioneered at LG Smart Park to a total of 26 LG production facilities in 13 countries, accelerating the digital transformation of its global manufacturing network by 2025.

“LG Smart Park illustrates our strong commitment to adopting the revolutionary technologies as the leader of the global premium home appliance market,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of the LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “We are presenting a blueprint for the future of manufacturing, one that delivers better outcomes across environmental, economic and employment aspects.”

For more information, please visit https://www.lgnewsroom.com/2022/03/lg-smart-park-named-lighthouse-factory-for-futuristic-manufacturing-technology/

About LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company

The LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company is a global leader in home appliances, smart home solutions, air solutions as well as visionary products featuring LG ThinQ AI. The company is creating various solutions with its industry leading core technologies and is committed to making life better and healthier for consumers by developing thoughtfully designed kitchen appliances, living appliances, HVAC and air purification solutions. Together, these products deliver enhanced convenience, superb performance, efficient operation and compelling health benefits. For more news on LG, visit www.LGnewsroom.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1776780/01__LG_Smart_Park_at_Changwon.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1776781/02__Virtual_Factory_digital_twin.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1776782/03__Attaching_refrigerator_door.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1776783/04__Overhead_conveyor_system.jpg