Inside Samsung’s South Carolina Factory, Students See What Sustains U.S. Manufacturing

Samsung Electronics Home Appliances America (SEHA) welcomed students from the Newberry County School District to its Newberry factory today for National Manufacturing Day. The visit offered a close look at what it takes to make washing machines in the United States: skilled employees, technology on the production floor, and a growing network of domestic suppliers.

Joined by South Carolina Department of Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver, students toured the Newberry facility and spoke with Samsung employees about their work and the career opportunities available in modern manufacturing. They met employees in manufacturing, maintenance, quality and engineering and learned how those roles work together to keep production running.

Students also learned about a route into the skilled trades. SEHA’s Mold Shop Apprenticeship Program works with the U.S. Department of Labor and South Carolina technical colleges to help employees advance from maintenance technician positions toward tool-making careers.

The Newberry facility is one part of Samsung’s nearly five decades of investment in the United States. Since opening, SEHA says the factory has generated more than $900 million in economic impact for the region, produced more than 8 million washing machines and supported thousands of jobs. The share of its suppliers based in the United States has grown from 10% in 2019 to 72%, bringing more of the factory’s supply network closer to production.

“The workforce will be one of the defining factors in the next chapter of American manufacturing,” said Cordell Hull, Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Public Affairs at Samsung Electronics America. “At Samsung, we see workforce development as a long-term investment in American talent. Giving students the opportunity to step onto a factory floor, see advanced manufacturing firsthand and talk directly with the people doing this work helps them understand the range of careers available—and helps build the skilled workforce our industry will need for the future.”

SEHA has hosted National Manufacturing Day with the Newberry County School District since 2019. The visit connects students with practical applications of STEM skills, an approach reflected in Samsung’s broader Solve for Tomorrow program, which encourages students to develop solutions to problems in their communities.