'Pumsaeng Pumsi' They Achieve Digital Productivity Innovation Through Securing Unique Core Technologies

2021 National Productivity Conference... A Look at Individual Awardees

Park In-cheol, CEO of GeoC (center), is taking a commemorative photo after receiving the Industrial Medal from Ju Young-jun, Director General of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, at the 45th National Productivity Conference held on the 2nd at COEX, Samseong-dong, Seoul.

At the 45th National Productivity Conference, business leaders who achieved results through digital productivity innovation amid the industrial downturn caused by COVID-19 were honored with awards.

Park In-cheol, CEO of GeoC, who received the Industrial Medal in the individual category, is a top executive dedicated to securing unique core technologies and contributing to the advancement of optical technology in Korea. His representative achievements include the world's first hacking-source-blocking optical cable, an intravascular pressure measurement system that quantitatively measures the degree of stenosis in coronary arteries, Korea's first optical water quality sensor replacing electrochemical sensors, and an optical ultra-compact spectrometer platform. He also plays a leading role as a research director, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, information, and technology in related fields.

Shim Bang-yu, Executive Director of Doosan Industrial Vehicles, who received the Industrial Medal, has led competitiveness enhancement through localization and overseas expansion via technology development since the early days of Korea's forklift industry. Having worked for 37 years since joining in 1983, he promoted innovative activities for the development of the forklift industry. Notably, through technical partnerships with advanced forklift companies such as Caterpillar in the United States, he acquired manufacturing technologies that led to the independent development and localization of forklift products in 1993. He continues to contribute to the development and productivity improvement of the forklift industry through relentless technological innovation. The company holds a 52% market share domestically, ranking first in Korea and within the top 10 globally, and promotes mutual growth by cooperating with about 200 domestic partner companies.

No Dae-hoon, CEO of Shinpo Metal, was awarded the Presidential Citation in recognition of his contributions to the national economic development through 20 years in the aluminum materials industry. After founding Shinpo Metal in 2016, he leveraged sales know-how for processed products using aluminum materials to secure cost competitiveness, meeting the diverse demands of customers ranging from small and medium enterprises to large corporations. This was the driving force behind the company's sales growth from 400 million KRW in its first year to 24 billion KRW last year, a 60-fold increase. The company also recorded overseas exports exceeding 2 million USD. Additionally, he has obtained patents related to aluminum materials and is promoting research and development to ensure that such technologies and know-how translate into cost competitiveness.

SeMyung Electric Industry, led by CEO Kwon Cheol-hyun, who received the Presidential Citation this time, is a prestigious long-established company specializing in the production of fittings for transmission and distribution lines and trolley wire fittings for electric railways since its establishment in 1962. It is evaluated to have greatly contributed to the development of the power industry by overcoming initially poor technological levels and developing ultra-high voltage transmission fittings, thereby building domestic and international power networks and supporting the KTX high-speed rail project. In particular, by independently developing and mass-producing the highest quality 'forged beam for textile looms,' the company not only replaced imports but also led exports overseas, significantly contributing to Korea's trade balance improvement. Furthermore, it continuously pursues quality and productivity improvements through relentless research and development and automation of processing facilities. CEO Kwon stated, "As a prestigious long-established company, we will fulfill our economic contributions and responsibilities to society through corporate activities and increase corporate value to become a more respected company."

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