Investment in HD Hyundai’s Ulsan campus, which builds medium to large excavators and wheeled loaders, will see production capacity rise by 56%, from 9,600 units a year to 15,000.
The 4,710 sqm campus now has automated product flow, a new quality assurance centre and a new receiving building. Production and logistics have been streamlined under an integrated factory system, while a real-time product tracking system has been introduced to optimise workflow and efficiency.
Welding robots have been installed in the fabrication facility, with vision sensors on the body welding production line, enhancing productivity and quality consistency. Unmanned transport vehicles (AGVs) and AI-based quality inspection systems in the assembly line further increase automation. This has resulted in a labour productivity improvement of more than 20%, it is claimed, while the time required to complete a machine has decreased by up to 35%.
The smart facility in Ulsan will act as the ‘mother plant’ with direct connections to HD Hyundai’s overseas production plants in Europe and the United States.

Chairman Kwon Oh-gap said: “The new factory, transformed with a smart and safe production system, aims to become the world’s leading production hub, integrating advanced technology and environmental sustainability.”
The site has already delivered its first machines, including the 40-tonne Next Generation crawler excavator that was launched to the market at the recent Bauma trade fair in Munich.
“The Ulsan Campus has been transformed into a smart factory, significantly improving its quality competitiveness,” said chief executive Choi Cheol-gon. “We are dedicated to providing top-tier products, that will lead the construction machinery sector, including our Next Generation models.”
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