The venue of SK hynix’s 2026 Shared Growth Council meeting in eastern Seoul is abuzz with discussions centered on one theme: building a resilient supply chain for the AI era. Executives from semiconductor materials, components, and equipment companies have gathered to align on collaboration strategies and industry responses.
The annual meeting, held on April 20 at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul, brought together representatives from 89 partner companies alongside SK hynix executives to review business performance and outline future plans. A notable shift emerging from the event is the growing emphasis on a partner-led collaboration model.
Kang Yoo-jong, Vice President and Head of Procurement at SK hynix, said in his opening remarks that stable supply chain operations amid market uncertainties were made possible by strong cooperation with partners. He added that the company aims to move beyond transactional relationships and build a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership structure.
This message is already translating into operational changes. Starting this year, SK hynix is introducing supplier-driven small group councils, where partners identify key issues based on real-world challenges and form groups with companies facing similar concerns. SK hynix will take on a supporting role, marking a shift from a top-down approach to a more horizontal collaboration framework.
A representative from a partner company at the event said that discussions are now increasingly focused on practical challenges faced in the field, adding that the new structure is helping participants move closer to actionable solutions.
The meeting also included a review of last year’s business results and a forward-looking outlook on the AI memory market. SK hynix emphasized its strategy to strengthen leadership in high-bandwidth memory (HBM), while deepening technological and production collaboration with partners.
CEO Kwak Noh-jung said that AI demand has become an industry standard rather than a temporary opportunity, stressing the importance of securing sustainable global competitiveness together with partner companies.
In addition, the company plans to expand its existing co-prosperity programs across education, finance, and technology. This includes enhanced workforce training through its Semiconductor Academy and tailored support programs aimed at strengthening partner capabilities.
Taken together, the meeting reflects more than a routine annual gathering. It signals a broader transition in SK hynix’s supply chain strategy toward a partner-centric ecosystem. As competition in the semiconductor industry expands beyond technology to encompass entire supply chains, the restructuring of collaboration models is becoming increasingly critical.
