SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Under the strategic leadership of Hyosung Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho, Hyosung Heavy Industries has secured a record-breaking contract in the U.S. power market, marking the largest order in the company's history and underscoring its expanding role in U.S. grid modernization efforts.
Hyosung Heavy Industries recently signed a supply contract worth approximately USD 530 million with a major U.S. transmission grid operator for power equipment, including 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformers and reactors. This contract represents the largest single order ever awarded to a Korean power equipment manufacturer in the U.S. market.
In 2025, Hyosung Heavy Industries became the first Korean company to sign a "full-package" supply contract in the United States for power equipment, including 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformers and 800kV ultra-high-voltage GIS(Gas Insulated Switchgears); building on this achievement, the company has continued its streak of large-scale orders into the new year, further cementing its position in the U.S. 765kV segment. Beyond its role as an equipment manufacturer, Hyosung Heavy Industries is expected to play a leading role as a "Total Solution Provider" in the full-scale implementation of U.S. 765kV transmission grid construction projects.
Power demand in the United States is expected to increase by approximately 25% over the next decade, driven by the rapid expansion of AI data centers and the growing adoption of electric vehicles. To meet this projected increase in demand, major U.S. electric utilities are accelerating plans to construct 765kV transmission grids. The 765kV system enables long-distance delivery of large-capacity electricity while significantly reducing line losses compared to existing 345kV or 500kV systems.
Hyosung Heavy Industries currently supplies nearly half of the 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformers installed across the U.S. power grid and has maintained the largest market share in the U.S. 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformer market since the early 2010s. Leveraging its proven product reliability and technological excellence, the company has followed its large-scale supply contract in 2025 with this latest mega-order, further reinforcing its established position in the U.S. 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformer market.
The 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformer is a highly complex piece of power equipment that requires advanced high-voltage insulation technology as well as rigorous testing and validation processes.
Hyosung Heavy Industries established its U.S. subsidiary in 2001 and became the first Korean company to export 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformers to the United States in 2010. Since 2020, the company has operated a transformer manufacturing facility in Memphis, Tennessee, which is currently the only plant in the United States capable of designing and producing 765kV ultra-high-voltage transformers.
The company is also actively advancing efforts to localize talent development. Through partnerships with local technical colleges, Hyosung Heavy Industries is recruiting top talent and is committed to cultivating mid-level managers and executives through comprehensive career development and professional training programs.
This record-scale order was secured under the direct leadership of Hyosung Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho, reflecting the company's long-term investment strategy in the U.S. market and its sustained focus on ultra-high-voltage transmission infrastructure. Chairman Cho has strengthened Hyosung Heavy Industries' U.S. presence through ongoing engagement with federal, state, and industry stakeholders, including U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Oracle Corporation Executive Vice Chair Safra A. Catz, GE Vernova CEO Scott L. Strazik, and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
"Driven by the expansion of AI and data centers, power infrastructure has become a core industry directly linked to national security," Chairman Cho stated. "Leveraging Hyosung Heavy Industries' Memphis manufacturing base and its ultra-high-voltage technology, we must establish ourselves as an essential long-term partner in ensuring the stability of the U.S. power grid."
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Hyosung Heavy Industries Secures Record Order as Hyun-Joon Cho's U.S. Strategy Pays Off
This year's Hape booth showcases PowerOn™, a next-generation, air-filled soccer ball that turns play into usable power and community impact — building on the original concept previously known as SOCCKET®, now enhanced for improved playability, durability, and accessibility.
NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Is Better Outside (LIBO), a subsidiary of Hape, will debut PowerOn™, the world's only energy-generating soccer ball, at New York Toy Fair 2026. Attendees can experience it first-hand at the Hape booth #635 beginning February 14, 2026, where the ball's kinetic energy technology is showcased powering small external devices via USB-C and illuminating through its integrated lighting feature.
Built on the simple idea that the more you play, the more power you create, PowerOn is designed to resonate with parents, educators, and young athletes alike—bringing together sport, STEM learning, and real-world utility in a single product.
A New Era of Play-Powered Innovation
PowerOn represents the next evolution of the original SOCCKET energy-generating concept—reimagined for today's families, communities, and modern play. The new version is air-filled for dramatically improved playability, engineered for greater durability, and is designed to be more accessible, with manufacturing efficiencies targeted to bring the product to market at an estimated 30–40% lower cost than earlier generations.
"PowerOn represents a new generation of play-powered products," said Ed O'Brien, Managing Director of LIBO. "We're committed to building an entire platform of energy-generating sports and play—from soccer to other ball sports and beyond—and Toy Fair is the perfect place to reintroduce this category to the world."
Purpose Built for Everyday Life—and When It Matters Most
PowerOn is designed for both daily play and practical utility. In addition to helping kids stay active, the product's generated energy can be used in moments when backup power and light are especially meaningful—whether at home during outages or as part of broader community and humanitarian use cases.
LIBO also plans to continue the impact model behind the original SOCCKET product: for every 10 PowerOn balls purchased, one will be sponsored for a community in need and distributed through partner organizations and programs.
Continuing the SOCCKET Legacy
LIBO acquired Uncharted Power's energy-generating play product business to carry the SOCCKET legacy forward through PowerOn, grounded in the idea that play can create real-world value.
The original SOCCKET ball was invented by Jessica O. Matthews while she was a student at Harvard. Matthews held dual U.S.–Nigeria citizenship, and an experience during a family trip to Nigeria—in which frequent power outages forced reliance on noisy diesel generators—helped spark her belief that energy access could be reimagined through simple, everyday activities.
SOCCKET and Uncharted's early energy-generating play work drew support from athletes and cultural leaders over the years, including Magic Johnson, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul, helping raise awareness of the intersection of play and community impact.
"I created the first version of this ball because I wanted to prove—especially to kids and families facing daily challenges—that you don't have to accept the status quo," said Matthews. "It was born from a desire to solve a real problem, and seeing PowerOn bring that idea forward with better playability, broader accessibility, and a renewed commitment to community impact is incredibly meaningful."
What's Next: World Cup Activations and Retail Availability
Following Toy Fair, LIBO plans PowerOn activations tied to global football culture and major summer moments, including events aligned with World Cup host cities, ahead of anticipated retail availability later in Fall 2026.
To learn more, schedule a demo, or request press materials, visit PowerOnBall.com or contact Swerve Strategic (contact info below).
Product & Press Information
Toy Fair Location: Hape Booth #635
Toy Fair Dates: February 14–17, 2026 Booth Hours: 10 am - 4 pm
Product Availability: Targeting Fall 2026; U.S. availability expected September 9, 2026 Estimated Price Range: $59.99 - $69.99 anticipated
About LIBO
Life Is Better Outside (LIBO) is a Colorado-based company focused on outdoor active experiences that inspire movement, connection, and discovery. Across its family of brands, including P/1, Do-U-Play, and Trelines, LIBO develops innovative sporting goods, games, and backyard adventure accessories that meet the evolving expectations of today's consumers. A subsidiary of Hape International, LIBO is committed to quality, innovation, and elevating everyday active play.
About Hape
Hape is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of high-quality, eco-friendly toys. Hape's mission is to promote the development of young minds through playful, innovative toys designed to inspire creativity and learning. With a focus on sustainability and craftsmanship, Hape brings educational play to families worldwide.
About Uncharted Power and SOCCKET
Uncharted Power is an award-winning renewable energy company that pioneered motion-based energy innovation and introduced the SOCCKET energy-generating play concept as a new way to turn everyday activity into power and possibility.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
The Power Is Back On: LIBO (a Hape Company) Debuts the New PowerOn™ Energy-Generating Soccer Ball at New York Toy Fair 2026, Ahead of Broader Retail and E-Commerce Launch Later This Year
The Power Is Back On: LIBO (a Hape Company) Debuts the New PowerOn™ Energy-Generating Soccer Ball at New York Toy Fair 2026, Ahead of Broader Retail and E-Commerce Launch Later This Year
