Harman, an electronics technology company and subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has begun construction of a new manufacturing facility in Laem Chabang, Thailand. The facility, covering around 47,000m2, is strategically located within Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), near other major automotive and technology companies’ manufacturing hubs.
Facility focus
The new facility will support various units within Harman’s automotive business, with a primary focus on developing products for the automotive division. The company specializes in connected vehicle solutions that incorporate advanced technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence to enhance in-cabin consumer experiences at an automotive grade.
For the design and construction of the facility, Harman is collaborating with ESR Group, Asia-Pacific’s leading new economy real asset manager. The design adheres to FM Global standards in safety and resilience and is targeting Gold certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), supporting Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green economic development initiative.
Other global operations from Harman include automotive manufacturing facilities in Brazil, China, Hungary, India and Mexico. Thailand was chosen for the new facility due to its high vehicle production volume, significant OEM presence and a talent-rich environment for technology manufacturing, the company says.
Groundbreaking ceremony
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Harman Automotive president Christian Sobottka and other senior leaders, alongside Thailand’s minister of industry, Pimphattra Wichaikul and other Thai officials. They highlighted the economic and innovative synergies the new facility will bring to the region.
“Expanding our manufacturing footprint in a location like Thailand offers enormous benefits including a rich talent pool and close proximity to OEM partners. In addition to offering years of manufacturing experience supporting both the automotive and technology sectors, Thailand is rapidly transforming into a major production hub for both electric vehicles and the next generation of automotive technology,” said Sobottka.
“The synergies between Thailand’s growing investments in high-tech manufacturing and the rapid pace needed to support today’s automotive customers make our decision to commit to the region an easy one.”
The facility’s construction is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025. Harman will start hiring locally for select roles this autumn, with plans to build a workforce of approximately 1,200 employees by the time of the facility’s official opening next year.
“Harman’s decision to build a new manufacturing facility in Laem Chabang is truly a win-win for all,” added Danainat Chockamnuay, advisor to Thailand’s minister of industry.
“The investment aligns perfectly with Thailand’s broader economic development strategy, which includes fostering technological advancement and establishing a robust next-generation automotive supply chain. Furthermore, the new facility will contribute to the local economy by providing workforce training and new job opportunities to 1,200 local workers.”
