[Good Job SME]⑫ Smart Factory Maker "Making People Happier Through Automation"

All Equipment Created Through One-on-One Consultations
Focused Investment in R&D... Half of the Workforce in Research
Sales Soar as Business Portfolio Diversifies

Editor's NoteSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the national economy. Numerically, 99% of companies in South Korea are SMEs. SMEs are the workplaces of the people. 81% of workers are employed by SMEs. When SMEs falter, our economy shakes and the jobs of the people are threatened. However, negative perceptions of SMEs persist. Low wages, unguaranteed 'work-life balance,' and uncertain future growth prospects. Despite the employment difficulties, young people avoid SMEs. Here are those who fight these prejudices and create good jobs and SMEs. They develop technologies that can compete with large corporations. They also devote efforts to building sound financial structures and corporate cultures to provide stable living foundations for employees. On the ground, there is the struggle of SME owners to fulfill corporate social responsibility while nurturing companies where employees can take pride. Asia Economy visited the field and directly heard their voices.

Won Ki-jung, CEO of Bestech, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the headquarters in Dongtan, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi.

After semiconductor production, the manual packaging process is now replaced by machines. Multi-joint robots place semiconductors into boxes, assemble them, and tie them with strings. The entire 'packaging process' has transformed into an automated system.

Founded in 2003, 'Bestech' is a company that develops and manufactures semiconductor process and industrial automation equipment. It is a so-called 'smart factory maker.' At the headquarters in Dongtan Industrial Complex, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, CEO Won Ki-jung of Bestech said, "Automation technology frees people from simple, repetitive, and low value-added tasks, allowing them to focus on more creative and fulfilling work," adding, "I want to create automation equipment that can change the world, comparable to washing machines."

Bestech customizes all equipment through one-on-one consultations. When a client requests factory automation, they visit the site and plan, develop, and deliver all equipment tailored to the factory size, ceiling height, and production methods, which all differ. They do not sell ready-made equipment nor duplicate the same machines. Since development starts from consultation, customer satisfaction naturally increases.

Half of Bestech's 80 employees work in the research institute. They have introduced a work-study system in partnership with Korea University of Technology and Education. After graduating high school and joining Bestech, employees can attend university on weekends for four years. So far, eight employees have participated. They also encourage graduates from junior colleges or four-year universities to pursue higher education, with some transferring or pursuing master's degrees. CEO Won said, "I believe we must become a learning organization and always tell employees to keep studying," adding, "When what they learn is applied somewhere, technology advances, and in the long term, the average level of our country's industry can rise."

Employees are manufacturing automated equipment products at the Bestech headquarters located in Dongtan Industrial Complex, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi.

Recently, Bestech has expanded its business into autonomous mobile robot development and mass production. Robots transport wafers produced in semiconductor processes. CEO Won emphasized, "We have been striving to internalize robot control and platform technologies," adding, "Logistics autonomous mobile robots and industrial patrol autonomous mobile robots have been developed, showing tangible results and are being applied in actual industrial sites." They also manufacture nitrogen (N2) gas purge devices and hydrocolloid production equipment. Sales increased from around 4 billion KRW in 2020 to 19.8 billion KRW in 2021 and 24.5 billion KRW last year. Continued growth is expected this year as well.

Since his appointment in 2020, CEO Won has been fostering a casual culture to make the company a 'young-thinking company.' First, he eliminated ranks, unifying all positions under the title 'responsible,' with only leaders selected as team leaders. Regardless of age or experience, the most outstanding person in the team becomes the team leader. They also introduced a flexible work hours system. They have set up opportunities for frequent communication, including company outings where all employees participate. They created an in-house caf? space and a rooftop camping area for employees to gather and communicate during breaks. In one corner of the headquarters parking lot, they converted a container into a caf? stocked with snacks like ramen, frozen dumplings, and hot bars for free access.

Each employee's desk has a name tag displaying their MBTI, photo, and goals, hoping employees get to know each other better. CEO Won's desk is no exception. Alongside a photo of him smiling brightly wearing sunglasses, it reads '#ENFJ-A #Actually very shy lowercase a type. A company where interesting ideas are practiced and realized. A company where all members are happy.' CEO Won said, "Everyone works to be happy," adding, "My dream is to create a company in South Korea that is renowned for making not only employees but also shareholders and customers happy in the long term."

A nameplate containing MBTI, photo, and goals is hung on the seat of Won Ki-jung, CEO of Bestech.

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