By James Wells
SYDNEY: Samsung Electronics Australia managing director Kevin K.Y. Choi today officially opened The Samsung Quad — a new state of the art five star green energy rated building at Homebush in Sydney.
At the official ribbon cutting ceremony at the Samsung Quad, Mr Choi addressed company staff and dignitaries including Auburn mayor Le Lam and former Olympic Minister and current chairman of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA), Michael Knight.
The new building which is located adjacent to its previous premises on Parkview Drive in Homebush Bay, follows 20 years of strong growth from the brand in the local market which is expected to exceed $2 billion in sales within the next few years. The eco-friendly building has been accredited with the highest environmental rating and provides staff with a warm working environment complemented by world-class facilities including video conferencing and an onsite childcare facility.
“Thank you all for joining us this morning to celebrate the opening of our new office,” Mr Choi said this morning.
“Samsung has achieved huge success globally as the world’s leading consumer electronics company but it’s our local Australian success that we’re here to recognise today. Since opening its doors in 1987, Samsung’s growth and market share across all product ranges has been unprecedented,” he said.
“This year alone in Australia, we achieved $1 billion dollars in revenue and number one status in LCD TVs, number one position in side-by-side refrigerators, number two in mobile handsets and number two position in MP3 players.
“With almost 300 people working for Samsung across Australia, and a projected 15 per cent growth in staffing year on year until 2010, we are growing in leaps and bounds. Our new office is a reflection of our commitment to the community and a strong belief in the future growth of the company.
“It’s not just about adding a few perks here and there. We have created a space that is as much about lifestyle as it is about work. The new premises is centrally located, and incorporates an open plan design, with more meeting rooms and larger work spaces to better meet the needs of our business and staff.
“We worked closely with Australia’s leading property group, Jones Lang Lasalle, to create a work environment that provides our employees with an enjoyable, interactive and creative place to work.
“Our employees are the very heart of Samsung. They are the reason that we have achieved consumer praise and industry recognition. Their commitment and dedication to the overall success of our company will be matched by our commitment and dedication to them. We are positive about our future and we will continue to share the rewards of our company’s continued success with our staff.
“This innovative and high-tech space, boasts an onsite childcare facility — the first in Homebush Bay Business Park; and an eco-friendly, open plan design.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, Samsung is committed to doing our part to preserve our environment. With Samsung’s global ‘Green Management’ philosophy in mind, and the guidance of Jones Lang Lasalle, we found our new eco-friendly home.
“Our office has been rewarded with a five star environment rating — Australia’s highest rating — by both the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme and the Green Building Council Australian Rating Scheme.
“I would like to take a moment to thank all those responsible from GPT and Jones Lang Lasalle for their hard work and commitment to Samsung’s new office project.
“In closing, 2007 has been a fantastic year for Samsung and we are excited about the year ahead. Australia is a nation of early technology adopters, of fun loving and hard working people. We have been here for 20 years, a short time in the grander scheme of things, and in return we have been given so much back. Our future looks very bright indeed.”