Samsung Electronics and Samsung Electro-Mechanics each invested 50% to set up Samsung LED. In April 2012, Samsung LED merged into the Device Solutions business unit within Samsung Electronics. Samsung LED's 2012 total revenues and net profits are predicted to reach KRW2.5 trillion (US$2.2 billion) and KRW1.829 trillion respectively. The figures represent an on-year growth of 93.5% and 183%, respectively.
Samsung has been focusing on low-price direct-lit LED TVs in 2012. Samsung's percentage of LED TV shipments in total LCD TV shipments is around 10-20% higher than the global average. This also stimulated revenue growth for LED packaging supplier firm, Lumens. For second-quarter 2012, Lumens reported revenues of KRW1.213 trillion, up by 42.9% on quarter.
Samsung has been developing new LED TVs for 2013 with prices that are even lower than the current LED TVs on the market. The price of the backlight module of the new models is only 120% more than CCFL backlight modules. For a 32-inch LED TV, only 20 LEDs will be used, a significant decrease from 32 units.
LED lighting is also another major business for Samsung LED. The firm has obtained a 15% share of South Korea-based lighting firm Taewon to strengthen the design and manufacturing of lighting products. Samsung LED has also recruited former executives from Philips' lighting business unit to expand distribution channels in Europe and the US.
To avoid legal issues, Samsung has recruited phosphor specialists that formerly worked for Mitsubishi Chemical to obtain more patents.
