Samsung’s move to Taylor ignited a new tech hub of international businesses in Central Texas.
By Cristela Jones,Austin Trending ReporterDec 28, 2024
Samsung Electronic’s move to a Central Texas county is spurring a new tech hub of international businesses outside of Austin. Williamson County, a fast-growing region north of Austin, had several big companies move to the area in 2024.
While some will cater to Samsung’s new $17 billion chip plant being built in Taylor and Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, many chose to establish themselves in WilCo for similar reasons – because of its vast land availability, business-friendliness, and close proximity to the state’s capital city. The county’s economic development partnership even has its own South Korea office to foster overseas connections and attract new businesses seeking to expand or relocate to the area.
Here are all the technology companies we know that have set roots in WilCo this year:
In a strategic move to be closer to Samsung, MSS International chose Round Rock for its new U.S. headquarters in December 2023. MSS International is a key supplier of gas sensor and piping to Samsung in the semiconductor supply chain. Williamson County Economic Development Partnership Executive Director Dave Porter told MySA the company has also purchased property in Georgetown to build a facility next year.
Tesla invests $1.5 million in new Hutto facility
Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company, headquartered in Austin, expanded its tech footprint to a town within Williamson County in early January. The EV giant invested $1.5 million into a new 135,000-square-foot facility in Hutto.
Korean beauty device company Hironic opens first U.S. plant in Taylor
Hironic Co. Ltd., a leading Korean-based manufacturer of medical devices for the beauty industry announced in February it would be opening its first U.S. plant in Taylor. A spokesperson for Hironic told the Austin Business Journal at the time that the company was inspired by Samsung’s move to the city, which prompted international attention for the small town.
Samsung supplier iMarket America moves headquarters to Round Rock
The City of Round Rock revealed in March that South Korea-based iMarket America would be setting up its new headquarters in the Williamson County city. iMarket America is the American division of parent company iMarket Korea, which supplies Samsung and other Korean companies with maintenance, repair and operations goods, as well as procurement services.
Korean tech company Hanwha plans $100 million Georgetown project with Tesla
Hanwha, a South Korean-based auto production company, set plans for a new $100 million facility in Williamson County to work with Tesla. Hanwha will produce vehicle liners, mold injection panels, and truck beds for Tesla at a 200,000-square-foot facility off of I-35, a little north of Georgetown, according to a March Fox 7 report.
Dell extends over century-long agreement in Round Rock
After 30 years of operating in Round Rock, Dell was granted an amendment to its original contract from the city to extend its presence from 60 to 106 years. The computer maker, which opened its global headquarters in Round Rock in 1994, is now set to be in the city until at least 2099.
Tesla snags industrial space in Taylor
In late July, Community Impact reported that Tesla leased a 180,000-square-foot, rail-serviced industrial space within the recently completed RCR Taylor Logistics Park. This space is located just 30 miles away from Tesla’s Gigafactory headquarters in Austin, and sandwiched between its new Hutto facility and Samsung’s semiconductor plant.
Samsung supplier Soulbrain to build $175 million semiconductor plant in 2025
Soulbrain TX LLC, a South Korean semiconductor supplier, is building a $175 million plant in Taylor to serve Samsung. Construction on Soulbrain’s plant, which will produce phosphoric acid for Samsung’s chips that power the company’s electronics, is expected begin on January 1, 2025 and end no later than January 1, 2029.
Hanyang ENG USA opens national headquarters in Cedar Park
In October, Hanyang Eng USA opened its national corporate headquarters in Cedar Park, according to Porter. The worldwide company provides products and engineering services to a variety of industries, including semiconductors, power generation and mechanical engineering.
Samsung’s ‘confidential project’ in Taylor
In November, new filings from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation revealed Samsung would be adding an environmental, health and safety (EHS) clinic to its chip plant in Taylor. A Samsung spokesperson confirmed to MySA that the new office would “provide access for all of our employees, contractors, and vendors to on-site occupational health clinics which are staffed by licensed medical professionals.”
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