Selection of 1,000 Companies for Small Manufacturers' Smartization Support 'Smart Workshop'

Support for Digital Transformation to Improve Productivity and Quality of Small Manufacturers

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Minister Kwon Chil-seung, hereinafter referred to as the Ministry) and the Small Enterprise and Market Service (Chairman Jo Bong-hwan) announced that they have selected 1,000 small business owners to participate in the 'Smart Workshop' project, which supports the adoption of smart technologies by manufacturing companies with fewer than 10 employees. The Smart Workshop project supports small business owners by assisting with automation of manufacturing processes and the adoption of smart technologies to enhance productivity, quality, and competitiveness.

This year, despite difficult circumstances such as COVID-19, about 4,650 small business owners applied to the Smart Workshop project to improve productivity through smart technology adoption, resulting in a competition rate of 4.6 to 1. Applicants underwent preliminary review by smart factory experts on the feasibility of adopting smart technologies, followed by document and presentation evaluations, leading to the final selection of 1,000 companies.

Among the selected companies, the largest sector was other machinery and equipment manufacturing with 135 companies (13.5%), followed by metal processing manufacturing with 130 companies (13.0%), food and beverage manufacturing with 89 companies (8.9%), and other product manufacturing with 82 companies (8.2%). Additionally, small business owners from various industries, including textile and apparel manufacturing (48 companies), were included.

For the selected companies, dedicated consultants analyze the characteristics, circumstances, levels, and capabilities of the small business owners' industries and provide consulting on customized solutions and improvement plans. Costs for establishing the Smart Workshop are supported up to a maximum of 49 million KRW per company.

Jang Se-hoon, Director of Regional Commercial Districts at the Ministry, stated, "The digital transformation of small business owners' production processes in preparation for the post-COVID era and the Fourth Industrial Revolution is not a choice but an essential task for survival," adding, "We will continue to expand support for the dissemination of smart technologies to strengthen the self-sustainability of small business owners through productivity and quality improvements."

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