Chairman Christopher Koo of LS Group visited the Wuxi Industrial Complex in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, along with key executives of the group’s affiliates, including LS Cable, LSIS and LS Emtron last May. The complex has been the group’s operational base in China since it set up shop there in 2005.
The chairman discussed the group’s smart factory technology in area of manufacturing reform as a way to find new businesses to keep the group going, and to find new ways to cope with China’s new economic policies.
His China tour was followed by his visit to Jeju Island to LS Cable’s super conductor center and LSIS HVDC Smart Center to get caught up on the progress of the development of new technologies and encourage those engaged in next-generation technology development projects.
The group has been engaged in the development of the technologies for energy efficiency, with the supply of power becoming a key issue associated with the rapid industrialization and urbanization in Korea and China, creating high demand for energy.
The group has been engaged in the localization of the key technologies, including super conductors, smart grids and high voltage direct current, among others, in new industrial areas in order to advance into the global market with them.
LS Cable kicked off its super conductor development project in 2001 and succeeded in developing a super conductor cable for the 4th time in the world, which was followed by the development of the direct 80 kw class super conductor cable for the first time in the world,. It was also the first time in the world that the same company secured both DC and AC technologies.
LS Cable & System is a Korea-based industrial corporation with global operations. Its products comprise power and telecommunication cables and systems, as well as integrated modules and other related industrial materials. LS Cable & System provides engineering services, installation and commissioning of high voltage and extra high voltage landlines as well as key in hand submarine cabling project execution.
LS Cable & System (LS C&S) has its headquarters at the LS Tower in Anyang and nine domestic factories, of which six are located in Gumi, two in Donghae and one in Anyang. Additionally, LS C&S has nine more factories in China, Malaysia, Vietnam and India.
LS C&S owns magnet wire and data cable manufacturer Superior Essex with 21 factories spread throughtout North America, Europe and China. LS C&S sales subsidiaries and branches overseas are located in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and in the Americas. LS C&S also owns JS Cable, Gaeon Cable, Pountek, Global Cable Incorporated, Kospace and Alutek.
After graduating from Korea University with a B.A. in business administration, Christopher Koo joined Lucky-Goldstar International (now LG International) as an entry-level employee in 1978 and worked in various subsidiaries including LG Securities (now called Woori Investment and Securities) and LG Cable and System, which later changed name to LS Cable and System.
He has been chairman and CEO of LS Cable and System since 2008 after serving as its vice chairman for three years.
Koo is the eldest son of Koo Pyong-hwoi, the late honorary chairman of LPG supplier E1 Corporation, who passed away in October.
Koo Pyong-hwoi is credited with establishing GS Caltex by forming a joint venture with the U.S.-based Caltex in 1967. He also founded LPG supplier Yeosu Energy in 1984, which later changed its name to E1 Corp.
Koo is known for an active and challenging management style.
He is also a cycling enthusiast and currently serves as the head of the Korea Cycling Federation.
According to Koo’s aides, he cycles from his home to his office in Anyang, Gyeonggi, two or three times a week.
He was the first Asian to complete the Trans-Alps Challenge in 2002, which requires participants to cycle 650 kilometers (403.9 miles) around 18 peaks in the Alps in eight days.
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