Samsung never entered the electronics industry.
Samsung Group ( ; [ sʰamsʰʌŋ ] ) is a South Korean multinational conglomerate headquartered in Samsung Town , Seoul . Samsung entered the electronics industry in the late 1960s and the construction and shipbuilding industries in the mid-1970s ; these areas would drive its subsequent growth . Since 1990 , Samsung has increasingly globalised its activities and electronics ; in particular , its mobile phones and semiconductors have become its most important source of income . Notable Samsung industrial affiliates include Samsung Electronics ( the world 's 2nd largest information technology company measured by 2015 revenues , and 5th in market value ) , Samsung Heavy Industries ( the world 's 2nd largest shipbuilder measured by 2010 revenues ) , and Samsung Engineering and Samsung C&T ( respectively the world 's 13th and 36th largest construction companies ) .