Abolishing Executive Offices and Implementing Flexible Seating... BASF Korea Accelerates Work Innovation

Ulsan Plant Implements 'Remote Work'... "Thanks to Digital Acceleration"

BASF Korea Seoul Office. (Photo by BASF Korea)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The executive offices have been eliminated, and all employees work by sitting wherever they want. Even though it is a factory, an unusual telecommuting system is in operation. This is the story of BASF Korea, a global chemical company.

On the 22nd, BASF Korea introduced its work innovation case. Since 2020, the 'Future of Work' project promoted by BASF headquarters has been fully implemented at the Seoul office and Ulsan factory.

At the Seoul office, which opened the day before, BASF Korea accommodated various working styles of its members. Executive offices were removed, and a free seating system was introduced for all seats. It is explained that creativity was enhanced in various personal workspaces, collaboration spaces, and rest areas, encouraging employees to break down departmental and hierarchical boundaries. Digital equipment such as video conferencing devices and smart boards support remote work and high-quality video meetings.

BASF Korea is promoting a corporate culture improvement project called We@COREa. 'CORE' stands for BASF's key corporate values: Creativity, Openness, Responsibility, and Entrepreneurial spirit. Based on the survey results conducted for all employees under the We@COREa project, the workspaces were designed accordingly.

The Ulsan factory is implementing a telecommuting system for engineers and office workers. Employees autonomously decide the frequency of working from home. Since August last year, a pilot telecommuting program for engineers and daytime workers was conducted once a week, and the company confirmed that work efficiency improved. More than 80% of participating employees expressed satisfaction with both work-life balance and work efficiency. Lim Yoonsoon, CEO of BASF Korea, evaluated, "Despite COVID-19, BASF achieved remarkable business results last year, proving the efficiency of telecommuting and remote work."

BASF Korea explained that handling factory work from home is an unusual attempt. Currently, only two places, including BASF Korea, have introduced telecommuting in the Ulsan National Industrial Complex. Telecommuting is realized through an electronic document management system, and the company plans to expand telecommuting to production sites by introducing a remote control system.

Joachim Anders, head of BASF Korea’s Ulsan factory, explained, "Through digitalization of the factory, we will increase productivity and work efficiency and create a safer working environment even during the COVID-19 pandemic." CEO Lim emphasized, "BASF will take another step toward a sustainable 'Future of Work' in the post-pandemic era, and the innovations at the Seoul office and Ulsan factory are the starting point. Our ultimate goal is to accelerate innovation based on a flexible corporate culture and provide greater value to customers."

BASF Korea recruits next-generation talent annually through the 'GROW' program, a new graduate recruitment program. A BASF Korea official said, "Through this innovation, by creating a flexible work environment and expanding telecommuting, we expect BASF Korea to become a workplace where young talents want to work."

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