Yokogawa Electric Korea, VNTG Partner to Support AI Adoption Across Manufacturing Operations Companies to develop joint solutions and business models based on IT-OT data integration, supporting manufacturers from initial assessment through implementation and operationYokogawa Electric Korea and VNTG have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly support Korean manufacturers in adopting and utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), the companies announced on July 30.The agreement was signed on July 29 at SeAH Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul, by Masaru Matsukawa, President of Yokogawa Electric Korea, and Kim Tae-geun, CEO of VNTG.Under the partnership, the two companies plan to establish integrated data environments connecting enterprise IT systems with operational technology (OT) data from manufacturing sites. Based on this foundation, they will jointly develop AI-enabled solutions and business models designed to support manufacturers throughout the AI adoption lifecycle, from initial assessment and system design to implementation and ongoing operation.The collaboration comes as manufacturers increasingly recognize the need for AI but continue to face challenges in moving from planning to practical implementation. In many cases, companies lack sufficient assessment and design capabilities to determine where and how AI should be applied. Enterprise IT systems and OT environments covering equipment and production processes are also often operated separately, making it difficult to translate existing data into practical applications.Another challenge is maintaining AI systems after deployment and embedding them into day-to-day manufacturing operations.Despite rapid advances in AI technology, tangible results at manufacturing sites can therefore take time to materialize. AI performance depends heavily on the quality, consistency and continuity of the data used for training and inference. When data remains fragmented across systems with different formats and collection cycles, individual AI projects can be difficult to scale across an organization.Yokogawa Electric Korea and VNTG aim to address these challenges by combining their respective areas of expertise. Yokogawa Electric Korea brings experience in OT, including process automation, instrumentation and control, while VNTG contributes capabilities in manufacturing IT system implementation and operation as well as data and AI technologies.Under the MOU, the companies will cooperate in developing joint solutions and business models based on IT-OT integration technologies, pursuing jointly identified business opportunities, sharing information on potential customers and markets, and conducting joint marketing activities for manufacturing customers.A working-level consultative group will also be established to identify priority areas for cooperation and develop specific joint projects.As the partnership progresses, manufacturers are expected to be able to approach enterprise systems, equipment and process data, and AI implementation within a more integrated framework rather than managing each area through separate providers.The process will begin with assessing each manufacturer's AI readiness and identifying priority use cases. During implementation, IT and OT systems will be connected through a unified data architecture, with the resulting environment designed to support continuous operation and further AI deployment.Such an integrated data foundation can support a range of AI applications. Once business, equipment and process data are organized under consistent standards, manufacturers can apply technologies such as predictive models for demand and quality management, anomaly detection for equipment monitoring, and vision AI for inspection processes.The architecture can also be extended to generative AI and AI agents capable of utilizing accumulated documents and operational data within relevant business contexts. By reducing the need to collect and restructure data for each individual AI project, manufacturers can more readily expand validated applications to additional processes and business functions.The scope of the collaboration covers both enterprise operations and production sites. Connected data can be used to improve decision-making in areas such as production planning, procurement and cost management, while also supporting AI applications related to quality, equipment management and energy use on the factory floor.The companies ultimately aim to create an environment in which management teams and manufacturing operations can make decisions based on a common data foundation.“For AI to deliver tangible results in manufacturing, it is essential to establish a robust foundation that integrates IT and OT data and converts that data into practical value at the operational level,” said Masaru Matsukawa, President of Yokogawa Electric Korea.“By combining Yokogawa’s control and operational technologies with VNTG’s AI and data capabilities, we aim to accelerate digital transformation across manufacturing and provide a practical foundation for sustainable growth through greater productivity and Industrial Autonomy,” he added.Kim Tae-geun, CEO of VNTG, said AI adoption should begin with an accurate assessment of each manufacturer’s level of readiness, as system environments and data maturity vary significantly from company to company.“VNTG’s strength lies in identifying which issues should be addressed first and designing solutions suited to each company’s specific environment,” Kim said.“The success of AI transformation depends on connecting data that has traditionally been fragmented across individual systems and establishing a data architecture capable of supporting AI applications,” he added. “By combining VNTG’s capabilities across assessment, design, implementation and operation with Yokogawa’s OT expertise, we will support manufacturers in establishing the systems needed to deploy and operate AI in practice.”Meanwhile, Yokogawa Electric Korea plans to use the agreement as a basis for expanding partnerships with IT and AI companies. Drawing on its OT capabilities, the company intends to strengthen the framework needed to support Industrial Autonomy initiatives among Korean manufacturers.Photo caption: Masaru Matsukawa, President of Yokogawa Electric Korea (left), and Kim Tae-geun, CEO of VNTG, attend the MOU signing ceremony at SeAH Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on July 29. The agreement focuses on supporting AI adoption and utilization among Korean manufacturing companies. [Photo provided by VNTG]

Yokogawa Electric Korea, VNTG Partner to Support AI Adoption Across Manufacturing Operations

기사입력 2026-07-30 19:30:35

한글로 보기

[산업일보]
Companies to develop joint solutions and business models based on IT-OT data integration, supporting manufacturers from initial assessment through implementation and operation

Yokogawa Electric Korea and VNTG have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly support Korean manufacturers in adopting and utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), the companies announced on July 30.

The agreement was signed on July 29 at SeAH Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul, by Masaru Matsukawa, President of Yokogawa Electric Korea, and Kim Tae-geun, CEO of VNTG.

좌측부터 마츠카와 마사루 한국요꼬가와전기 대표와 김태근 VNTG 대표

Under the partnership, the two companies plan to establish integrated data environments connecting enterprise IT systems with operational technology (OT) data from manufacturing sites. Based on this foundation, they will jointly develop AI-enabled solutions and business models designed to support manufacturers throughout the AI adoption lifecycle, from initial assessment and system design to implementation and ongoing operation.

The collaboration comes as manufacturers increasingly recognize the need for AI but continue to face challenges in moving from planning to practical implementation. In many cases, companies lack sufficient assessment and design capabilities to determine where and how AI should be applied. Enterprise IT systems and OT environments covering equipment and production processes are also often operated separately, making it difficult to translate existing data into practical applications.

Another challenge is maintaining AI systems after deployment and embedding them into day-to-day manufacturing operations.

Despite rapid advances in AI technology, tangible results at manufacturing sites can therefore take time to materialize. AI performance depends heavily on the quality, consistency and continuity of the data used for training and inference. When data remains fragmented across systems with different formats and collection cycles, individual AI projects can be difficult to scale across an organization.

Yokogawa Electric Korea and VNTG aim to address these challenges by combining their respective areas of expertise. Yokogawa Electric Korea brings experience in OT, including process automation, instrumentation and control, while VNTG contributes capabilities in manufacturing IT system implementation and operation as well as data and AI technologies.

Under the MOU, the companies will cooperate in developing joint solutions and business models based on IT-OT integration technologies, pursuing jointly identified business opportunities, sharing information on potential customers and markets, and conducting joint marketing activities for manufacturing customers.

A working-level consultative group will also be established to identify priority areas for cooperation and develop specific joint projects.

As the partnership progresses, manufacturers are expected to be able to approach enterprise systems, equipment and process data, and AI implementation within a more integrated framework rather than managing each area through separate providers.

The process will begin with assessing each manufacturer's AI readiness and identifying priority use cases. During implementation, IT and OT systems will be connected through a unified data architecture, with the resulting environment designed to support continuous operation and further AI deployment.

Such an integrated data foundation can support a range of AI applications. Once business, equipment and process data are organized under consistent standards, manufacturers can apply technologies such as predictive models for demand and quality management, anomaly detection for equipment monitoring, and vision AI for inspection processes.

The architecture can also be extended to generative AI and AI agents capable of utilizing accumulated documents and operational data within relevant business contexts. By reducing the need to collect and restructure data for each individual AI project, manufacturers can more readily expand validated applications to additional processes and business functions.

The scope of the collaboration covers both enterprise operations and production sites. Connected data can be used to improve decision-making in areas such as production planning, procurement and cost management, while also supporting AI applications related to quality, equipment management and energy use on the factory floor.

The companies ultimately aim to create an environment in which management teams and manufacturing operations can make decisions based on a common data foundation.

“For AI to deliver tangible results in manufacturing, it is essential to establish a robust foundation that integrates IT and OT data and converts that data into practical value at the operational level,” said Masaru Matsukawa, President of Yokogawa Electric Korea.

“By combining Yokogawa’s control and operational technologies with VNTG’s AI and data capabilities, we aim to accelerate digital transformation across manufacturing and provide a practical foundation for sustainable growth through greater productivity and Industrial Autonomy,” he added.

Kim Tae-geun, CEO of VNTG, said AI adoption should begin with an accurate assessment of each manufacturer’s level of readiness, as system environments and data maturity vary significantly from company to company.

“VNTG’s strength lies in identifying which issues should be addressed first and designing solutions suited to each company’s specific environment,” Kim said.

“The success of AI transformation depends on connecting data that has traditionally been fragmented across individual systems and establishing a data architecture capable of supporting AI applications,” he added. “By combining VNTG’s capabilities across assessment, design, implementation and operation with Yokogawa’s OT expertise, we will support manufacturers in establishing the systems needed to deploy and operate AI in practice.”

Meanwhile, Yokogawa Electric Korea plans to use the agreement as a basis for expanding partnerships with IT and AI companies. Drawing on its OT capabilities, the company intends to strengthen the framework needed to support Industrial Autonomy initiatives among Korean manufacturers.

Photo caption: Masaru Matsukawa, President of Yokogawa Electric Korea (left), and Kim Tae-geun, CEO of VNTG, attend the MOU signing ceremony at SeAH Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on July 29. The agreement focuses on supporting AI adoption and utilization among Korean manufacturing companies. [Photo provided by VNTG]

뒤로 기사목록

산업일보 영상뉴스 모아보기

산업일보 페이스북 바로가기

김우겸 기자 kyeom@kidd.co.kr

이 기자의 다른기사 보기 >

국제산업부 김우겸 기자입니다. 산업인들을 위한 글로벌 산업 트렌드와 현안 이슈에 대해 정확하면서도 신속히 보도하겠습니다.