Industrial artificial intelligence specialist MakinaRocks is accelerating the expansion of AI transformation (AX) initiatives at manufacturing sites both domestically and internationally through a partnership with Hanwha Systems.
MakinaRocks announced on the 28th that it has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hanwha Systems to expand AX projects across a range of manufacturing environments in South Korea and abroad. The agreement spans three years from the signing date, under which MakinaRocks will act as a core strategic partner in Hanwha Systems’ AI agent development and platform deployment initiatives.
Building on this collaboration, the two companies plan to form a dedicated task force (TF) for close cooperation in South Korea’s Yeongnam region, a key manufacturing hub. Through this, MakinaRocks aims to further solidify its collaborative framework with Hanwha Systems and respond swiftly to AX demand on the factory floor.
The agreement draws additional attention given MakinaRocks’ strong growth trajectory. The company’s order intake for the first half of this year surpassed 20 billion won (approximately $13.7 million). That represents more than a threefold increase from the 6.4 billion won (approximately $4.4 million) recorded in the same period last year, and is approaching the full-year 2024 order intake of 20.5 billion won (approximately $14.0 million). By industry segment, defense and aerospace accounted for the largest share at 27%, with the Agency for Defense Development and Doosan Enerbility among its key clients. The defense sector contributed 22% of total revenue last year.
Hanwha Systems expressed optimism about the partnership. “Through this collaboration with MakinaRocks, we will stably secure agent development capabilities and enhance our business competitiveness,” said Kim Yoon-soo, head of Hanwha Systems’ Value Creation Business Division.
“Manufacturing sites represent a quintessential mission-critical industry encompassing both processes and equipment, where data security and on-site trust are paramount,” said Yoon Sung-ho, CEO of MakinaRocks. “Through this strategic partnership with Hanwha Systems, we will validate our agent development capabilities and establish ourselves as an irreplaceable partner leading AI transformation on the manufacturing floor.”
With this agreement, MakinaRocks is expected to build a stable business foundation with Hanwha Systems and further accelerate its manufacturing AX expansion. The company is particularly well-positioned to leverage its strengths in defense and aerospace to solidify its standing as a key player driving digital transformation across manufacturing sites.