[K Manufacturing Industry, On Site] The Secret to K Strong Wind Cooling: Rigorous Product Testing

Paseco Ansan Factory Produces Up to 1,500 Window Air Conditioners Daily
Enhances Technology with Fully Domestic Production... Reduces Noise by 38%
Oil Heaters Exported to US and Middle East, Capturing 50% of Global Market
Leaps from Seasonal Appliances to Comprehensive Home Appliance Company

Product testing is in full swing on the window air conditioner production line at the Ansan Paseco headquarters. Photo by Kim Heeyoon

[Ansan=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Paseco, a comprehensive home appliance company recognized for its technological prowess through original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supply to global home appliance companies such as Samsung and GE, is steadily expanding its product lineup under its own brand, including dehumidifiers, mini washing machines, kimchi refrigerators, and garment care appliances. Kim Sangwoo, Executive Director of Paseco's B2C division, stated, "Based on differentiated technology, we are advancing beyond seasonal home appliances to become a comprehensive home appliance company."

With the recent rise in temperatures, sales of window-type air conditioners have surged, highlighting Paseco's growth momentum. On the 16th, the window-type air conditioner manufacturing line at Paseco's Ansan factory was bustling with activity. Typically, the air conditioner production line operates from May, but this year it was advanced by two months to start in March. On that day, three operating lines produced about 1,000 window-type air conditioners daily. Executive Director Kim explained, "Our system can produce up to 1,500 units per day based on an 8-hour work schedule."

The window-type air conditioner, which combines the outdoor and indoor units into one, is popular because consumers can install it themselves without wall drilling or piping work. Especially with the increase in single-person households and the spread of remote work, as each room begins to be equipped with cooling devices, the industry expects domestic sales of window-type air conditioners to grow from about 140,000 units last year to around 500,000 units this year.

Although large corporations have now entered this market, the pioneer was Paseco, a mid-sized company with annual sales of around 200 billion KRW. Paseco launched its first window-type air conditioner in 2019 and, unlike other companies, produces all window-type air conditioners domestically. Notably, the ‘Window-type Air Conditioner 3 Dual Inverter’ introduced this year reduced noise levels to 37.1 dB (in sleep mode), approaching the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended sleep-friendly standard of 35 dB.

Starting as a wick manufacturing company for oil heaters, Paseco grew into the world's number one oil heater company by receiving positive responses in the Middle East and the United States. The photo shows the oil heater production line at Paseco Ansan Factory. Photo by Kim Heeyoon

Strengthening Quality with 10% of Staff as Researchers and Full Domestic Production

Behind the enhanced performance lies rigorous product testing. In the performance laboratory located on the 5th floor of Paseco's Ansan factory, quality tests are conducted to verify operation under extreme conditions such as artificial rainstorms and mechanical hot air. In the adjacent lab, research and experiments are underway to further reduce compressor noise. Among the total 360 employees, more than 10%, or 40 researchers, are dedicated to research and development (R&D) focusing on product development and testing. Executive Director Kim said, "When window-type air conditioners gained popularity last year, many copycat products imitating ours appeared, but other companies, with manufacturing bases in China, could not overcome quality differences. We are also pursuing legal action for patent infringement, but since we strive to improve product functions every year, our quality cannot be copied," expressing confidence.

Next to the line producing window-type air conditioners, petroleum heaters are being continuously assembled on a U-shaped production line. Paseco's petroleum heaters, exported to the U.S. and the Middle East, hold more than half of the global market share. Founded in 1974 as Shinwoo Textile Industry, Paseco grew by manufacturing petroleum heater wicks and exporting them to Japan. By directly venturing into heater production, it dominated the Middle Eastern market, which was barren for exports, received favorable responses in the U.S. and Europe, and surpassed Japanese companies to become the world's number one petroleum heater company.

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