[Editor's Note] Sungdo Engineering Co., Ltd., renowned for its outstanding construction capabilities in domestic semiconductor cleanrooms and semiconductor equipment installation and construction, participated in SEMICON Korea 2023. At this exhibition, Sungdo Engineering Co., Ltd. actively sought to secure customers based on its outstanding technological prowess, even in the difficult semiconductor investment environment, by communicating with customers. Accordingly, we interviewed Seo In-soo, the chairman of Sungdo Engineering Co., Ltd., whom we met at the exhibition site, and heard about Sungdo Engineering Co., Ltd.'s management strategy for this year. ■ Please introduce Seongdo Engineering Co., Ltd.

Seongdo Engineering Co., Ltd. was established in 1987 and has a history of 36 years. It was listed on the KOSDAQ market in 2000.

It posted sales of approximately KRW 1 trillion in 2022 and is comprised of approximately 750 employees in the general construction division, high-tech division, plant division, and gas division.

■ Sungdo Engineering Co., Ltd. is renowned for its semiconductor clean room construction technology. Please introduce Sungdo Engineering Co., Ltd.’s past achievements and semiconductor-related construction technology.

We have rewarded the best semiconductor and display companies, including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Samsung Display, LG Display, Dongbu Hi-Tech, and MagnaChip, with the highest quality construction for clean rooms, semiconductor equipment installation, and hook-ups, and are carrying out various projects at home and abroad.

In addition, the company has maintained better performance than other companies through hiring excellent human resources, leveraging past experience, and introducing new technologies.

In addition, we at Sungdo Engineering Co., Ltd. are making efforts to further enhance our existing technological capabilities in line with the advancement and integration of semiconductor chips.

■ In addition to semiconductor cleanroom construction, please introduce other businesses being carried out by the gas business division.

The Gas Division aims to become a supplier that provides Unique Value-added Solutions in all areas, from feasibility study and basic design to final performance test and operation, ranging from industrial gases (oxygen, nitrogen, argon, etc.) and special gases applied to the semiconductor and display industries, to precursors and precision chemical plants.

We already have experience as a One-stop Solution Provider for two ASU Plants and are also working on overseas ASU Plants.

■ What is the semiconductor market outlook for this year as seen by the Chairman and Sungdo Engineering’s management strategy for this year?

The outlook for the semiconductor and display industries this year is not easy.

Inflation and reduced demand are thought to be the main causes. The future of the market is not bright due to competition with Taiwan's TSMC, the US and Japan's domestic supply chain priority policies, and China's pursuit.

However, as the outlook for the domestic semiconductor market is not favorable, our company, Sungdo Engineering Co., Ltd. is focusing its capabilities on local corporations in the U.S. and Europe to respond to facility investments in regions such as the U.S. and Europe, and is establishing a strategy to expand orders to replace difficult domestic investments. We also expect overseas sales to increase compared to last year.

■ A final word to E4DS NEWS readers

The semiconductor industry is expected to recover by the end of this year or next year. In addition, developments in the primary battery and bio sectors are also expected.

Good times and bad times always appear in a cross-section. Our people have wisely overcome difficult situations so far and have proudly stood shoulder to shoulder with the ranks of advanced countries.

I am confident that if we continue to work together, we will be able to overcome this difficult situation.

thank you