SEOUL, KOREA - Samsung Group will consolidate Samsung Heavy Industries and Samsung Engineering into one. Analysts saw this as a move to reform the group's governance structure in preparation for succession of chairmanship. From a picture perspective, Samsung Heavy Industries and Samsung Engineering have come under the influence of Samsung Electronics while Samsung C&T has strengthened its ties with Cheil Industries (formerly Samsung Everland).
To this, most analysts responded it was quite unexpected because it was Samsung C&T that had been the center of attention in the upcoming merger within Samsung Group. Yoon Ji-ho, head of the research center with E-Trade Securities, said, "I never expected the latest merger announcement. Maybe there are some hidden intentions behind the merger between Samsung Heavy and Samsung Engineering instead of Samsung C&T"
"Not unlike several major changes undergoing within the group since last year, this one has closely related with governance structure change. But it is not so clear what master plan the group has in relation to all these," he added.
Kiwoom Securities analyst Park Jung-seon said, "Give the three children of Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, Jae-yong, Bu-jin, and Seo-hyun has no stake in Samsung C&T, it would have been difficult for the group to follow through a merger with Samsung Engineering to increase the market capitalization." He, however, said that what's more important is the fact that Samsung Engineering has come under the sway of Samsung Electronics. In addition, Samsung C&T is now more likely to be paired with Cheil Industries.
저작권자 © Korea IT Times 무단전재 및 재배포 금지
