For decades, Sriperumbudur was known for its villages, farmlands and quiet roads. As Tamil Nadu continues to emerge as India’s leading manufacturing hubs, Sriperumbudur is at the centre of this transformation, with thousands of people arriving every day to power the country’s industrial growth.

But beyond the factory gates, another transformation has quietly taken place.

It is a story told not through production numbers or exports, but through fruit shops, tailoring centres, family-run eateries and classrooms. It is the story of women who turned a changing local economy into lasting opportunities for their families—and, in many cases, for others in their communities.

A Cart That Became a Business

Every morning, Arul Selvi arranges fresh fruit outside the shop her family now owns.

Years ago, the business operated from a cart by the roadside. Income was uncertain and every day depended on passing customers.

As manufacturing expanded across Sriperumbudur, so did her customer base.

“The growth of industries in our area has contributed significantly to our business,” she says.

“Employees from Samsung Chennai plant and other factories visit our shop regularly, helping us build a steady customer base.”

Today, alongside her husband’s water-can supply business, the family earns enough to educate all three of their children—an aspiration that once seemed out of reach.

One Tailoring Shop. Three Businesses.

A few kilometres away, the rhythmic sound of sewing machines fills Veni’s tailoring centre.

When she started her shop 12 years ago, customers were few. As the region developed into a major manufacturing hub, demand steadily increased.

“Many employees from Samsung Chennai Plant regularly visit my shop, and women from nearby communities are among my regular customers,” she says.

What began as a small tailoring unit has grown into an Aari embroidery centre and a beauty parlour, creating employment for three women.

“I started this business with my mother’s support,” she says. “Today, it feels rewarding to see it creating opportunities for others too.”

Meals That Support Ten Families

For Daisy Rani, progress can be counted in the number of people working in her kitchen.

When she opened her small eatery nearly a decade ago, she employed just one person.

Today, ten people earn their livelihood there.

“Many workers from the plants nearby and people from the surrounding community visit us every day,” she says. “Their continued support has helped our business grow steadily.”

The Opportunity One Generation Missed

Industrial growth has transformed livelihoods, but it has also changed something even more fundamental—access to education.

When Gowri was growing up, the nearest school was too far away for her family to continue her education.

“I wanted to study further, but my parents were worried because the school was too far away,” she recalls. “I had to stop my education.”

Determined that her children would have different opportunities, she watched Sriperumbudur change around her.

Today, her son and daughter attend a good school just three kilometres from home.

“Factories coming here brought development. My children have opportunities I never had.”

Dreaming Bigger

That transformation in Tamil Nadu is perhaps best reflected in the aspirations of the next generation.

Kowsalya, a Class XII student, dreams of becoming financially independent while pursuing her passion for drawing.

“My parents often tell me how difficult education was when they were young,” she says. “Today, school is close to home, and I want to continue studying and build a career of my own.”

Her ambitions reflect the confidence of a generation growing up in a region transformed by opportunity.

Thirty Years of Growing with India

As Samsung celebrates 30 years in India, the company’s journey has been defined by long-term investments in manufacturing, innovation and people of Tamil Nadu.

For nearly two decades, Samsung’s manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur has been part of the region’s remarkable transformation. While the factory produces millions of products for consumers in India and around the world, its impact extends far beyond the production line.

The presence of a thriving manufacturing ecosystem in Chennai has helped local businesses grow, enabled women entrepreneurs to build sustainable livelihoods, strengthened household incomes and expanded opportunities for the next generation.

Like thousands of women across Chennai’s manufacturing belt, the stories of Arul Selvi, Veni, Daisy Rani, Gowri and Kowsalya reflect this broader transformation. They remind us that the true impact of manufacturing is measured not only in products built or technologies created, but also in lives changed, aspirations realised and communities strengthened.

As Samsung marks three decades of growing with India, these everyday stories stand as a powerful reminder that lasting progress extends well beyond the factory gates—and that some of the company’s most meaningful contributions are reflected in the people and communities growing alongside it.

As Samsung expanded its operations, a strong network of suppliers, logistics providers and manufacturing partners grew alongside it, creating opportunities for local businesses, strengthening industrial capabilities and raising manufacturing standards across the region.

Today, the Sriperumbudur belt is home to a thriving ecosystem of component manufacturers and service partners, many of whom have steadily enhanced their capabilities to meet global benchmarks in quality, efficiency and innovation.

United Industries Plastic Private Ltd is one such example. What began as a modest operation with two manufacturing units has grown into a six-unit enterprise across Chennai, with one of its newest facilities dedicated to supporting Samsung’s requirements.

Reflecting on the journey, Keerthi Mahalingam, Director, United Industries Plastic Private Ltd, said the partnership has been about much more than business.

“Samsung treats us as partners rather than suppliers. Over the last 13 years, there has been significant knowledge transfer, from manufacturing practices to organisational systems. It has helped us evolve into a stronger company.”

As Samsung strengthened its manufacturing presence, it also introduced rigorous quality systems and workplace practices that encouraged suppliers to build stronger internal capabilities. For many partners, aligning with these standards became an opportunity to improve their own operations.

Mahalingam said Samsung’s structured approach, ranging from visitor management systems to employee welfare initiatives, has inspired partners to adopt similar practices.

“Samsung has set a very high benchmark in terms of processes, employee care and ESG practices. Their yearly audits encourage continuous improvement. We have adopted several of these practices in our own facilities, including structured transport systems and enhanced workplace standards.”

He added that Samsung’s presence has played an important role in the broader industrial growth of the region, with new supplier units being established and existing businesses expanding operations closer to the manufacturing hub.

“The entire belt has developed over the years. Many companies have grown alongside Samsung.”

The transformation is equally evident at Vignesh Polymers India Private Ltd, which has been operating in Sriperumbudur since 2007 and has partnered with Samsung for nearly 15 years.

Selvakumar, Plant Head, Vignesh Polymers, said one of the defining strengths of the partnership has been Samsung’s structured and forward-looking approach to manufacturing.

“With Samsung, planning is very systematic—from purchase schedules to delivery timelines. This helps us plan our own operations better and invest with confidence.”

Over the years, this collaborative approach has enabled suppliers to strengthen capabilities across planning, purchasing, quality and research and development.

“We have learned extensively across planning, purchasing, quality and R&D. As Samsung continues to introduce new and premium products, we also upgrade our capabilities to match global quality expectations,” he said.

This shared focus on continuous improvement has enabled partners to participate in increasingly sophisticated manufacturing processes while building expertise that supports long-term growth.

Beyond industrial capability, the expansion of the manufacturing ecosystem has also contributed to improvements in infrastructure and employment across the region.

Selvakumar said the transformation over the past decade has been significant.

“From around 2015 to today, the difference is very clear. Infrastructure has improved, roads are better, transport connectivity has strengthened, and more businesses are operating in the region. Employment opportunities have increased for local communities.”

Samsung’s contribution to the region also extends beyond manufacturing through community engagement and social initiatives that support long-term development.

“Samsung maintains strong relationships with nearby communities and schools. These initiatives also help strengthen the ecosystem,” he said.

As Sriperumbudur continues to evolve into a globally-competitive manufacturing hub, the relationship between Samsung and its partners reflects a shared commitment to capability building, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

For companies across the ecosystem, the journey of growth continues.

“Based on Samsung’s evolving requirements, we continue to develop ourselves,” Selvakumar said.

From enabling suppliers to expand operations and strengthening manufacturing capabilities to raising benchmarks in quality and workplace systems, Samsung’s presence has helped shape an ecosystem that continues to generate opportunities and contribute to the region’s economic development.

The story of Sriperumbudur’s rise is therefore not just one of industrial expansion, but of collaboration. Here long-term partnerships, shared ambition and continuous improvement have helped build a resilient manufacturing ecosystem that continues to power growth.

At Samsung, we believe in empowering every individual. Together, we create, we innovate and we grow. Our strength lies in our people, their stories, and their passion.

Watch our employees from Chennai Plant talk about their journey at Samsung:

At Samsung, we believe in empowering every individual. Together, we create, we innovate and we grow. Our strength lies in our people, their stories, and their passion.
Watch our employees from Chennai plant talk about their journey at Samsung.

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