Samsung Electronics Co. has closed applications for its 2025 smart factory support program, which will help modernize manufacturing systems at about 200 small and mid-sized companies across South Korea.

The program, with a total budget of 21.3 billion won ($15.2 million), now moves into its execution phase. Samsung and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business said on Wednesday that on-site inspections for shortlisted firms will take place through June.

Samsung’s expert mentors will visit candidate factories to assess smart factory readiness. Based on those findings, a five-member panel of external experts will select final recipients in July.

The program will begin in earnest in July, running for a standard duration of one year. During that time, Samsung will provide embedded expert support for process innovation, automation system integration, and quality control.

Additional benefits include participation in the Smart Biz Expo, access to Samsung’s training infrastructure, and post-implementation maintenance via the Smart365 Center.

A separate advanced-level program will support up to 80 firms with as much as 150 million won each.

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