On the 20th and 21st of May, Samsung Electronics and the UN Migration Agency the International Organization for Migration (IOM) came together to host a virtual workshop under the theme of “Modern Slavery and Ethical Recruitment.” The two-day workshop, which was part of an effort to reduce the risk of forced labor in businesses and supply chains, welcomed approximately 50 participants from Samsung Electronics Poland, local suppliers, and business partners in Poland.

It was the third workshop that Samsung Electronics and the IOM have hosted –following the first event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in June 2019 and the second event in Jászfényszaru, Hungary in November 2019 – as part of an ongoing effort to address modern slavery in the electronics industry.

According to statistics released by the ILO(International Labour Organization), around 40 million people worldwide are subjected to modern slavery, of which 25 million find themselves victims of forced labor. One fourth of this number are migrant workers.

During the workshop, participants discussed the definition of modern slavery and the risks of forced labor and unethical employment. They also learned about the Samsung Electronics migrant worker policy (revised in June 2020), that suppliers and partners are required to abide by. In addition, IOM proposed various strategies and activities with the intent of enhancing compliance with Polish law and regulations related to ethical employment, and mitigating the risk of forced labor.

Forced labor remains a pressing global issue. Together with IOM, Samsung Electronics will continue its efforts to raise awareness and strengthen the capabilities of employees, suppliers, and business partners to address forced labor and protect workers’ rights throughout the global supply chain.

Summary

• Lukasz Sieminski, Head of Online Business at Samsung Electronics Poland, is sure to make time for what is important in life as he balances his busy work and family life with a dynamic and impressive hobby – cross-country paragliding
• Having always been interested in flying up in the clouds, Sieminski took up the hobby in 2011 and obtained his sport license in 2014
• While his competitive career has seen him win an impressive slew of accolades, Sieminski prefers to hone his skill on non-competitive, long-distance routes in all manner of locations
• Paragliding may be a solo sport, but thanks to the supportive community Sieminski has become a part of – not to mention the encouragement of his family – he is never really flying alone
  

Poland is a country that boasts a wide range of fascinating points of interest, from being the birthplace of renowned composer Frédéric Chopin to possessing the largest castle in the world. But a perhaps less recognized fact about the Central European nation is that paragliding is possible nearly anywhere within its borders, be it off its mountain ranges, along its coastal cliffs or cross-country along its expanses of flat terrain.

One such individual to take full advantage of Poland’s suitability for cross-country paragliding is Head of Online Business at Samsung Electronics Poland – and multi-award-winning flyer – Lukasz Sieminski. Given the time commitment and skillset necessary to maintain such a hobby, it is with admirable organization and hard work that Sieminski has managed to achieve balance in both his professional and personal life.

Siemenski soaring miles above the ground during a cross-country flight. “When paragliding, the world is completely different. During the flight you are just in the ‘here and ‘now’, looking for simple answers.”

Only the Brave

Paragliding is the accomplished sport of flying lightweight glider aircraft that do not use any engines and rely simply on the sun and the wind to stay airborne. The sport traces its history back to 1961, when French NASA engineer Pierre Lemoigne cut strategically-placed vents in a parachute to allow it to ascend into the air and be steered manually.

Cross-country paragliding is the variant of paragliding in which distance is the most important parameter and is often recorded in hundreds of kilometers per flight. “We play with clouds, we travel like birds,” muses Sieminski. “Paragliding is the easiest way to touch the clouds!”

Having taken up paragliding purely for fun in 2011, Sieminski achieved his Pilot license within a year and then his sport license in 2014 which has allowed him to take part in competitions. Sieminski has always been interested in cross-country flying – his favorite trips are ones that cover at least 200km in distance and can take anywhere from 7 to 10 hours. “You have time to think about everything and nothing,” he notes.

Soaring Success

While for some, flying competitively might appear like an arduous undertaking for the average amateur paraglider, for Sieminski, it came naturally. After every cross-country leisure flight Sieminski did in the first few years of his hobby, he – much like the majority of Polish pilots do – would automatically send his flight GPS log to a special internet platform where it would then be compared with others. This practice for him started off just for fun, but by the end of his third year as a paraglider, he was ranking along with the top scorers across the country.

Sieminski’s reputation as a glider has only continued to soar. Since 2014, he has been taking home first place in the yearly Polish Cross-Country Competition, in which over 1,500 pilots took part in last year. Most impressively, the past two years he has come first in the ‘competition’, wing class category while competing on a lower-class wing vehicle – comparative to winning an 850cc motorcycle race on a 700cc motorcycle.

Sieminski mid-flight over Dolomites in Italy. His hobby often brings him into contact with breathtaking scenery

He occasionally takes part in the official Polish Championships (winning twice in Standard class, in 2014 and 2016), but flying, for him, still remains purely based on enjoyment, not just achievement. In championships, the best flyers are determined based on the amount of time they take to navigate a set course, whereas Sieminski prefers flying non-defined routes. “Sometimes we land after sunset – especially in the mountains, it can be such a magical moment!”

Aerial Aficionado

Sieminski has some sage advice to anyone considering taking up paragliding for the first time. “Don’t start gliding alone at home!” he warns. “Go to paragliding school first. Learning things from the very beginning may seem basic, but it is necessary. I have luckily been in no accidents but only because I finished all courses needed to gain a pilot license.” But Sieminski stresses that it is worth it; “You’ll spend that time training with wonderful people in beautiful landscapes!”

Not only does his hobby allow him to cover large swathes of his homeland, but it has also led him to explore some of the most beautiful terrain in the world. So far, Sieminski has flown in the whole Alps region, the Himalayas, Kenya, Brazil and Australia. And while you might think of paragliding as a particularly solitary sport, Sieminski disagrees.

Siemenski about to take to the skies in Bir Biling, India (left) and enjoying a flight with other passionate paragliders in Quxiada, Brazil (right)

“Every place I explore is not just amazing for flying, but also for meeting other dynamic individuals who share my passion,” he notes. “You never fly alone – every flight is always an expedition with your friends in learning how to co-operate. The best flights are then when you can fly very close to your fellow pilots, helping each other in-flight and being in constant contact via radio. In case of any accidents or just after landing, you know very well that you are not alone – your friends are there with you!”

Clear Skies Ahead

Sieminski admits that the biggest challenge facing him in both his work and home life, as it is for most of us regardless of our pursuits, is time. In order to commit himself properly to the hobby, he spends every holiday and most weekends during paragliding season (May to August) out flying. “I have been taking my paraglider on all holidays with me for 7 years now!” he admits. “Luckily for me, my wife accepts that I bring my glider on holiday with us and supports me every single day.”

The key to finding balance between work, family and pastimes? “We just have to try!” enthuses Sieminski

Sieminski’s takeaway from his hobby is that it is possible for everyone to find a good balance between work, family and hobby; “We just have to try!” And despite his already impressive series of cross-country paragliding achievements, he still has more he wishes to achieve. “My goals are to continue to enjoy it as much as I do now, to break the record of 300km in a single flight and obtain another Polish national record, and to return to the Himalayas to sail through the range’s highest mountains.” Given his passion, there is no doubt he will be successful at all three.

Samsung has worked with the Copernicus Science Centre since its opening in 2010. With the support of Samsung, the Copernicus Science Centre has expanded into new fields, implementing joint projects that often become a permanent element of the center’s program of activities

The website offers even easier access to Polish-language content, introducing readers to Samsung’s products and services through feature articles, infographics and interviews, as well as high-definition photos and videos. Samsung Newsroom Poland will also cover the company’s new business ventures in the region and activities supporting local communities.

Samsung was established in Poland in 1996 and today operates a production base, a B2B Innovation Center and an R&D center in the country. The company is involved in a number of local initiatives and partnerships, such as the digital competency program, Coding Masters, and the Samsung Incubator in Rzeszów. Samsung has also supplied and supported the Copernicus Science Centre – an interactive and educational science and technology center, located in Warsaw, Poland – since the center’s foundation.

Samsung has now launched more than 20 newsrooms around the globe. The company expects to launch additional news sites in other regions to share updates about Samsung in even more languages.

For more information about Samsung’s activities in Poland, and around the world, visit Samsung Newsroom Poland at news.samsung.com/pl/.

Guests visiting Copernicus Science Centre during Explorer’s Day 2018

Samsung Incubator in Rzeszów accepts both individual entrepreneurs and teams who already have a product prototype or a business concept

The popularity of the space is indicative of the company’s strength in both the Polish and European premium appliances markets, as Samsung continues to hold significant market shares in the region.

Chef Michel Troisgros demonstrates his culinary expertise at Cook Story’s first anniversary event

Delighting in Discovery

The space brings together modern Samsung solutions and a passion for cooking. At the space, chefs and guests alike can use a range of innovative Samsung appliances. The Dual Cook Flex Oven, for example, allows cooks to partition the oven to bake two dishes simultaneously, in different modes and at different temperatures.

Olaf Krynicki, Head of Communication at Samsung Electronics Poland, explains Samsung’s vision for the kitchen, introducing intelligent home appliances that make life easier, such as the Family Hub refrigerator

Visitors to Cook Story by Samsung also have the opportunity to experience the smart Family Hub refrigerator. The appliance connects to other smart devices in the house, via a touchscreen panel, giving users the ability to manage their home more effectively, as well as providing an ideal environment for storing food, with intuitive tools that make it easy to plan and prepare meals.

A Hub of Innovation

As the largest home appliance market in Eastern Europe, Poland is an apt setting for the experience showroom, Cook Story by Samsung. The country represents one of key markets for Samsung, from which the company also operates a production base, supplying appliances to Europe.

Samsung has operated a production base in Poland since 2010

In particular, Samsung’s QuickDrive washing machine has experienced success in the Polish market. The washing machine dramatically reduces the amount of time it takes to do laundry, without compromising performance. Since 2012, Samsung has also had the largest share of both the Polish and the global refrigerator markets.

As Samsung confirms its commitment to the home appliances market in Europe, the company has also showcased its built-in and premium home appliances at key events this year, such as IFA in Berlin and Eurocucina in Milan.

Reflecting on the overall growth of Samsung’s premium appliances in the European market, Vice President of Samsung’s Digital Appliance Business, Taehwan Hwang said: “Samsung’s experience showroom, Cook Story, highlights our innovative technologies, as well as the way our built-in and premium home appliances reflect the demands of local consumers. We constantly strive to create products with real value for users.”

Troisgros presenting a cooking demonstration at Cook Story by Samsung. He served guests his “Saumon à l’oseille” and “Pana-fritta au cèpe” at the event

Samsung Medison, a global medical equipment company and an affiliate of Samsung Electronics, is showcasing its latest ultrasound systems at EUROSON (30^th Euroson Congress of the EFSUMB) from September 6^th to 9^th in Poznan, Poland. At booth #5 (Hall 15), Samsung is displaying RS85, the latest ultrasound system with integrated solution and sophisticated imaging technology. Samsung will also debut its new solution SonoSync, which offers real-time communication between clinicians.

“We are excited to showcase the latest version of our premium ultrasound RS85. Samsung now offers a comprehensive portfolio of diagnostic ultrasound systems with exceptional image quality and better workflow to meet the needs of clinicians,” said Dongsoo Jun, President of Health & Medical Equipment Business at Samsung Electronics and CEO of Samsung Medison. “Our solutions and products continue to prove their versatility as more healthcare providers find new innovative ways to use them.”

Within ultrasound systems, Samsung has made great achievements in obstetrics and gynecology and will continue to expand its portfolio to other segments such as radiology. At EUROSON, product specialists will be on hand demonstrating a wide range of ultrasound systems that are designed to help healthcare providers find effective clinical pathways. Samsung will showcase a number of ultrasound systems including:

• RS85 – Radiology-designated ultrasound system featuring MV-Flow technology, which detects microvascular blood flow. Its S-Shearwave Imaging feature provides new indicators for clinical diagnosis by quantifying the elasticity of tissue. The S-Fusion function extends analysis from the abdomen to the prostate, and allows coordination and simultaneous comparative analysis of images from other modalities such as MRI and CT.

• HS70 – High-end ultrasound system specifically designed to fit into radiology and cardiovascular solution. It features Arterial Analysis, which detects changes in vessels, providing measurement values such as stiffness. The S-Shearwave technology measures the elasticity of mass to help the diagnosis of liver lesions and RealisticVue is an additional feature that improves 3D image quality.

• HS60 – Equipped with a compact design, a 21.5-inch full high definition side display and touch screen. It also features HQ-Vision, which allows users to get a high-resolution image that helps detect clinically important details. S-Harmonic uses multi-frequency to provide a clear image from near zone to far zone.

• HS40 – Ultrasound system with user-friendly design and convenient workflow providing efficient and effective care. Features include ClearVision, MultiVision, EZ-Exam+ and ElastoScan, which helps detection of lesions.

Samsung’s new ultrasound solution SonoSync is a software that provides network service which transmits real-time ultrasound examinations¹. With SonoSync, clinicians on both sides can simultaneously view the image scanned by sonographers and share markings during discussion. This software can be simply installed without HDMI hardware boxes. Samsung’s SonoSync can be easily connected to various appliances such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop PCs, increasing utility for clinicians’ teaching and training.

For academic seminars, Samsung Electronics Poland branch is hosting a satellite symposium through recent studies with leading professionals. EFSUMB Congress President Professor Paul Sidhu will present on the role of elastography in liver fibrosis: techniques, clinical practice and guidelines. Professor Wojciech Kosiak of the Pediatric Radiology Department at University of Gdańsk will speak about the possibilities of ultrasound in different diagnosis of focal liver lesions in children.

For more information on Samsung’s healthcare division, its subsidiaries and products, please visit https://www.samsunghealthcare.com.

¹ SonoSync is not for diagnostic use. Its availability may vary in different countries, according to regulatory approvals.

About Samsung Medison

Samsung Medison is a global leading medical device company, founded in 1985. With a mission to bring health and well-being of people’s lives, the company manufactures diagnostic ultrasound systems around the world across various medical fields. In 2011, Samsung Medison became an affiliate company of Samsung Electronics, integrating world’s best IT, image processing, semiconductor and communication technologies into medical devices.

Hadrian Baumann, President of Samsung Electronics Poland is opening Samsung Incubator

“Samsung Incubator was created in the eastern region of the country, beyond the business centre of Poland, to help stimulate growth in the area, making it the first such project in the region,” said Hadrian Baumann, President of Samsung Electronics Poland. “Creating an incubator for startups is another avenue for Samsung to increase its commitment to the digitization of Poland.”

The Incubator in Action

In addition to Samsung Incubator’s overall aim of building digital capabilities and facilitating the development of technological projects in Poland, a key part of the startup program is the constant support of Samsung experts.  Experienced managers help young companies develop business models and verify market demand for technological solutions, and engineers at Samsung R&D Institute share their knowledge about global product development.

Individuals or teams can apply to the Samsung Incubator if they have already developed a business concept or a prototype of their product. During the three-month acceleration program, Samsung provides space for creative work and advanced equipment as well as mentor support and expert consultation at every stage of the process. As part of the Incubator, participants can also benefit from intensive training and assistance in finding business, technology, and funding partners.

Samsung’s Larger Efforts in Poland

Samsung has long been committed to Poland at the business level where it operates one of the largest research and development centers in Warsaw as well as a modern home appliances factory in Wronki. As part of the company’s citizenship efforts in the country, the company has, in addition to Samsung Incubator, also been involved in the digitization of Polish society for years.

For instance, since 2013, the company has supported programming classes for children in Polish schools and kindergartens. With the Coding Masters initiative, Samsung has already collaborated with 1,700 institutions, nearly 4,000 teachers, and 100,000 pupils from all over Poland. The company also operates Samsung LABO, an educational program for technical schools designed to help older students take the first steps in their new career path. In addition, Samsung is involved in the international start-up center – The Heart Warsaw – which aims to develop and stimulate start-up cooperation with corporations.

Samsung’s efforts in Poland are in line with the Polish government’s efforts in the country. “It is Poland’s ambition to become a European hub of new technologies in a few years. We have fantastic technical college graduates in Poland, we have a governmental development strategy oriented to high technology, and we have Polish start-ups, which are increasingly venturing to conquer foreign markets,” said Polish Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Economic Development and Finance Mateusz Morawiecki. “That’s why cooperation between large companies and small ventures created by young, ambitious people is so important and it is important that such significant market players like Samsung notice that.”

As part of its efforts to help digitize Poland through initiatives like the Samsung Incubator and other projects, Samsung will remain committed to supporting young innovative companies by sharing its experiences, as well as helping Polish innovators create excellent products and solutions with global potential.