In the News: The Tall Man’ and the globalization of Hyundai Construction
Hotel architect Bill Swank opens Chaebol to West through trustworthy management Many thanks to the Korea Herald and reporter Elaine Ramirez for publishing the article. See link http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130729000587 Korea Herald July 29, 2013 By Don Southerton By the mid-1970s, Hyundai Group, Korea’s leading industrial conglomerate, was expanding their construction and engineering efforts to international projects. With new Middle East projects such as the Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard and the Diplomatic Hotel, both in Bahrain, and the Jubail Industrial Harbor project in Saudi Arabia, Hyundai’s construction division needed additional technical support. In particular, there was a need for an in-house Western architect ― and one with experience in luxury hotel project management. They would turn to American architect Bill Swank, Sr. Swank’s career within Hyundai closely parallels the rise of the conglomerate outside Korea and demonstrates hi...