TIPA Listens to Voices from Root Industry Manufacturing SMEs on the Ground

On-site Visit to Saehan Co., Ltd., an Excellent Small and Medium Enterprise in Technological Innovation and Smart Factories

Lee Jae-hong, Director of TIPA (right), is touring the production site of Saehan Co., Ltd. and receiving explanations about the products and production processes from company officials.
[Photo by TIPA]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) announced on the 13th that it visited Saehan Co., Ltd., a 'root company' in the metal forging product manufacturing sector located in Chungju, Chungbuk, on the 11th to tour the site and listen to difficulties and suggestions.

Root companies are enterprises engaged in casting, mold, welding, plastic working, surface treatment, and heat treatment businesses. Like the roots of a tree, they are not visible on the surface but exist in the final product and serve as foundational companies that determine market competitiveness.

Jeong Soon-il, CEO of Saehan Co., Ltd., has led the traditional root industry, which forms the basis of the parts manufacturing industry such as molding injection and forging (press process), and forging and casting (screw process) for the past 45 years. In 2019, the company was designated as a specialized root technology company for technologies such as heat treatment-free high-strength material molding technology.

Furthermore, Saehan has overcome crises based on accumulated root technology competitiveness through continuous research and development (R&D) and technological innovation. In 2020, it was selected as a pilot smart factory and is currently striving for advancement.

This visit was arranged to encourage root companies facing difficulties in securing funds amid the rapidly changing global business environment due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and to listen to on-site difficulties and suggestions to reflect them in policies.

A Saehan official stated, "Due to COVID-19, difficulties such as securing excellent personnel and funding for root companies are expected to intensify," adding, "We ask the government to prepare various support measures so that traditional manufacturing companies can secure excellent technological capabilities through research and development."

In response, Lee Jae-hong, President of TIPA, said, "Active support is necessary so that root SMEs, which are the foundation of manufacturing, can enhance their technological competitiveness," and added, "We will expand communication regarding various difficulties and suggestions faced by companies on-site and actively support the innovation of traditional SMEs and regional SMEs."

Meanwhile, starting this year, TIPA has newly supported the 'Manufacturing SMEs Global Competency Enhancement Project' to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs in the mid-level technology sector, the backbone of manufacturing, and plans to announce the second half of the project within this month.

Detailed information about participation in the project can be found through the SME Technology Development Integrated Management System, and SMEs wishing to participate can check eligibility and apply online through the system.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.