What XAVIS does with AI based inspection

With reshoring policies and tariffs reshaping global supply chains, we’re seeing new opportunities in sectors like batteries and semiconductors as Western countries bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and Europe. McKinsey highlighted flexibility, agility, and customization as key success factors in this new environment. From your perspective, what opportunities and challenges are Korean SMEs facing globally under these conditions?

This shift presents a significant opportunity for Korean SMEs like XAVIS. We’ve been closely monitoring these global developments and have proactively prepared to expand into the U.S. and European markets. Strategies such as “China Plus One” provide Korean companies with the chances to compete more directly, even in markets previously dominated by players from Japan or Germany. At XAVIS, we are leveraging our in-house technology and responsiveness to take full advantage of these developments. However, in terms of challenges, there is an increase in uncertainty in the global supply chain which burdens Korean SMEs with rising raw material prices and logistics costs.

You mentioned that Korean SMEs—and XAVIS in particular—have competitive advantages compared to companies in Japan or Germany. What are the core differentiators?

Korea is a fast-growing country, and throughout that growth, we’ve cultivated strengths in agility and a strong work ethic. For many Koreans, work is not just a duty—it’s a point of pride. At XAVIS, our employees take initiative. Whether it’s a weekend or late at night, we try to respond to customer needs immediately. Our customer service—quick response and tailored solutions—is a clear advantage over Japanese or German competitors. Moreover, as Covid-19 led to technology internalization trend, many companies have become technology independent and created opportunities for companies with strong product and technology capabilities.

Observers of the Korean industry believe that SMEs find success internationally only when they follow along the large conglomerates, and state that independent expansion remains a challenge. What’s your view on this?

Following large corporations into overseas markets may seem easy, but in reality it is difficult. However, entering overseas markets independently is even more challenging. Seven years ago, we established a branch office in Beijing, and more recently, we opened an R&D center in Vietnam. Entering global markets ourselves requires a strong will. Although the risks are high and success is never guaranteed, opportunities will never come our way if we don't take risks. At some point, I believe SMEs should try to take their first steps into the global market without relying on large corporations.

With experience now in China, Vietnam, and the U.S., what has XAVIS learned that sets it apart when collaborating with both Korean and non-Korean partners?

Bridging cultural gaps has been one of our toughest challenges. Communication styles and operational workflows between HQ and local offices were drastically different. Our experience in China also taught us that their customer demands—especially around tolerances and specifications—were entirely different from what we were used to in Korea. But through this, we built the expertise to provide customized, localized solutions. That’s a major differentiator for us.

There is increasing demand for inspection equipment in the semiconductor and EV battery industries, especially as chip structures evolve and safety requirements rise. What’s your outlook on these sectors?

In sectors like EVs, product failure can result in fires or even fatalities. It’s not just a technical issue—it’s a matter of life and safety. Twenty years ago, partial inspections were sufficient, but today, comprehensive inspection is essential. The same goes for semiconductors. Malfunctions in GPUs or controllers can have serious implications, particularly in vehicles. This has driven a rapid increase in demand for sophisticated, high-precision, high-speed inspection equipment—and that’s where we come in.

AI is becoming a major driver of innovation in inspection systems. How has XAVIS implemented AI, and what makes your technology stand out against competitors—especially for EV battery applications?

We began integrating AI into our systems in 2015—one of the first companies in Korea and among the earliest globally. Initially, we applied AI in food inspection and achieved excellent results. Today, AI is used in both our 2D and 3D battery and semiconductor inspection systems. One core application is noise reduction in high-speed CT imaging. We also apply AI to identify defects and anomalies faster and more accurately. Our CT systems now run at high-speed which can meet the customers’ requirements and are already used by major global battery manufacturers. What sets us apart is that we can inspect faster and more precisely than competitors, without compromising product integrity.

What are XAVIS’s core competitive strengths in the market?

Unlike many of our competitors who specialize in one or two industries, XAVIS operates across a wide range of industries: Food, Semiconductors, SMT, PCBs, and Batteries. We’re essentially a comprehensive provider of X-ray and CT-based inspection systems. Our cross-industry expertise allows us to share knowledge between R&D teams and develop more advanced, robust solutions. Customization is another strength. As a Korean SME, we’re able to respond quickly to client needs and deliver tailored solutions within tight lead times.

Can you share a specific example of how cross-sector collaboration within XAVIS improved your technology or product development?

Absolutely. For instance, we first deployed AI in our food inspection systems, and then transferred that knowledge into battery and semiconductor inspections. We’re also working on next-generation optical and X-ray technologies. Engineers from our food division now collaborate on semiconductor and battery R&D. This cross-functional approach fuels our “Total Inspection Excellence” model, enabling us to apply proven solutions to new challenges.

What are XAVIS’s flagship products and future-generation systems that will drive the next phase of growth?

Our flagship semiconductor inspection product is the Xscan-9860, used by Samsung Electronics for flip chip inspection. We’ve recently upgraded it to the Xscan-9860A. In TGV processes, we provide VOID inspection and high-speed CT inspection solution. In food, our bone detection systems—used by global brands like McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King—are client favorites. Using AI, we detect bone fragments in patties, improving safety, which is critical for children. These products reflect our deep focus on both safety and performance. Moreover, we have launched a Real 3D AXI (Automated X-ray Inspection) which features high speed, high precision, and maximize user convenience for use in SMT/PCB production lines.

Looking ahead 3 years, how do you see growth unfolding across the industries you serve?

The battery sector is growing rapidly, especially with rising demand for cylindrical cells and localized production in the U.S. and Europe. While the market is growing globally at 25%, our growth exceeds that due to our AI-based safety inspection systems and mass-production-ready inline CT references. In semiconductors, companies like Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC are investing heavily, especially in TGV and AI memory. We are investing accordingly in our semiconductor inspection capabilities to meet the customer needs in the front-end and back-end by 9860A and 9800T3(3D AXI). We’re also developing a nanoscale 3D X-ray microscope (TXM), with 30nm resolution, which places us among only two companies worldwide with this capability.

And the food and pharmaceutical sectors?

In Korea, demand for food safety has increased significantly post-COVID. We’re seeing strong replacement demand for older X-ray systems, as well as continued investment in pharmaceutical inspection. Globally, we see even stronger growth—especially in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe—where food safety standards are rising and X-ray systems are becoming more accessible. Our AI-driven inspection capabilities give us an edge in detection accuracy, even though our brand awareness isn’t yet as strong as European or U.S. competitors. In blind tests, our equipment outperformed others, validating our technology leadership. We’re now working with local partners worldwide to scale up.

On the topic of global expansion, what are your localization and partnership strategies? Which regions are you prioritizing?

We’re focused on the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia. In the U.S., we have a branch in Kentucky. However, we face challenges in deploying Korean employees due to visa restrictions—something we hope will be resolved soon. In 2019, RICOH (Japan) became a strategic investor in XAVIS, which helped us list on KOSDAQ and expand into the Japanese market. We hold regular joint business meetings and continue to strengthen that partnership.

Final question. This report aims to reflect the voices of Korean business leaders. What message would you most like readers to take away from your story?

At XAVIS, our mission is not just to build machines—it’s to protect lives. Whether it’s food, batteries, or semiconductors, we are driven by safety and precision. We see ourselves as life-savers in our own way. Just as doctors save lives in hospitals, we do so through our inspection systems. Based on our data, we estimate our machines inspect approximately 1 billion items per year worldwide. We take immense pride in that role. With the slogan “Safety First, Complete Inspection, Efficient Always”, Xavis is total solution provider that provides the best choices for our customers and individuals.