Beyond Manufacturing: How Samsung Helped Build Tamil Nadu’s Electronics Manufacturing Ecosystem in Sriperumbudur
Chennai – When Samsung established its manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur in 2007, the region was already emerging as an important industrial destination. Nearly two decades later, the company’s impact extends well beyond the factory gates, helping shape one of India’s most vibrant electronics manufacturing ecosystems.
As Samsung expanded its operations, a strong network of suppliers, logistics providers and manufacturing partners grew alongside it, creating opportunities for local businesses, strengthening industrial capabilities and raising manufacturing standards across the region.
Today, the Sriperumbudur belt is home to a thriving ecosystem of component manufacturers and service partners, many of whom have steadily enhanced their capabilities to meet global benchmarks in quality, efficiency and innovation.
United Industries Plastic Private Ltd is one such example. What began as a modest operation with two manufacturing units has grown into a six-unit enterprise across Chennai, with one of its newest facilities dedicated to supporting Samsung’s requirements.
Reflecting on the journey, Keerthi Mahalingam, Director, United Industries Plastic Private Ltd, said the partnership has been about much more than business.
“Samsung treats us as partners rather than suppliers. Over the last 13 years, there has been significant knowledge transfer, from manufacturing practices to organisational systems. It has helped us evolve into a stronger company.”
As Samsung strengthened its manufacturing presence, it also introduced rigorous quality systems and workplace practices that encouraged suppliers to build stronger internal capabilities. For many partners, aligning with these standards became an opportunity to improve their own operations.
Mahalingam said Samsung’s structured approach, ranging from visitor management systems to employee welfare initiatives, has inspired partners to adopt similar practices.
“Samsung has set a very high benchmark in terms of processes, employee care and ESG practices. Their yearly audits encourage continuous improvement. We have adopted several of these practices in our own facilities, including structured transport systems and enhanced workplace standards.”
He added that Samsung’s presence has played an important role in the broader industrial growth of the region, with new supplier units being established and existing businesses expanding operations closer to the manufacturing hub.
“The entire belt has developed over the years. Many companies have grown alongside Samsung.”
The transformation is equally evident at Vignesh Polymers India Private Ltd, which has been operating in Sriperumbudur since 2007 and has partnered with Samsung for nearly 15 years.
Selvakumar, Plant Head, Vignesh Polymers, said one of the defining strengths of the partnership has been Samsung’s structured and forward-looking approach to manufacturing.
“With Samsung, planning is very systematic—from purchase schedules to delivery timelines. This helps us plan our own operations better and invest with confidence.”
Over the years, this collaborative approach has enabled suppliers to strengthen capabilities across planning, purchasing, quality and research and development.
“We have learned extensively across planning, purchasing, quality and R&D. As Samsung continues to introduce new and premium products, we also upgrade our capabilities to match global quality expectations,” he said.
This shared focus on continuous improvement has enabled partners to participate in increasingly sophisticated manufacturing processes while building expertise that supports long-term growth.
Beyond industrial capability, the expansion of the manufacturing ecosystem has also contributed to improvements in infrastructure and employment across the region.
Selvakumar said the transformation over the past decade has been significant.
“From around 2015 to today, the difference is very clear. Infrastructure has improved, roads are better, transport connectivity has strengthened, and more businesses are operating in the region. Employment opportunities have increased for local communities.”
Samsung’s contribution to the region also extends beyond manufacturing through community engagement and social initiatives that support long-term development.
“Samsung maintains strong relationships with nearby communities and schools. These initiatives also help strengthen the ecosystem,” he said.
As Sriperumbudur continues to evolve into a globally-competitive manufacturing hub, the relationship between Samsung and its partners reflects a shared commitment to capability building, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
For companies across the ecosystem, the journey of growth continues.
“Based on Samsung’s evolving requirements, we continue to develop ourselves,” Selvakumar said.
From enabling suppliers to expand operations and strengthening manufacturing capabilities to raising benchmarks in quality and workplace systems, Samsung’s presence has helped shape an ecosystem that continues to generate opportunities and contribute to the region’s economic development.
The story of Sriperumbudur’s rise is therefore not just one of industrial expansion, but of collaboration. Here long-term partnerships, shared ambition and continuous improvement have helped build a resilient manufacturing ecosystem that continues to power growth.
