I believe I should concentrate only on business until a certain point, once you start care about other areas like press, you would lose focus and be neglected to core work.

Keyyang Precision’ headquater is in Gimcheon-si, Where is your main place of residence? 

I moved to Gimcheon to show my commitment to our employees and Gimcheon community.

I assume there were benefits provided from Gimcheon

There were no particular monetary benefits but the city has been supportive to improve industry environments.

Then why did you choose Gimcheon?

Gimcheon is center of Korea(South) in logistic way. You can reach anywhere in Korea within 2hours from Gimcheon. I did not have any connection nor networking in this region. Tell you the truth, it was almost impossible to start a factory back then, had to endure 20 hard years (laugh). I was inspired from German companies who are located in deep countryside, out of nowhere but succeed with only their strong technology. I wanted build a company like them.​

Choice of multitude is not always choice of wise

Korean economy down them negatively affected auto industry. I assume auto part industry if facing similar condition.
It is concern to auto part industry as well. However, turbocharger industry still shows positive market forecast. As the world become more conscious of environmental concerns regarding exhaust gas, turbochargers are playing the major role in complying both environmental regulations and market demands at the same time. Turbocharger market is in initial stage but the market is expanding its area to not only diesel engines to gasoline engines.

Go back to the 20 years before, turbocharger was unfamiliar product in auto industry. Why did you find turbocharger as an attractive material to begin a business?
Once during a business trip in China, I noticed huge number of people ride bikes to commute. Those people were potential consumers for auto vehicle in near future and the china auto industry would grow extremely as well as environmental issue. It was most certain for me that turbocharger is the solution for the future environmental problem and auto industry. With the scenario in my mind, I traveled all over the world to discuss with industry professionals. Finally I was lucky to have opportunity to meet a R&D director of Mercedes-Benz. I still remember what he advised, “It is mankind’s history of evolution to solve today’s question with tomorrow’s technology. Hard work and endless study is the only way to succeed and the result is inevitable which will bring economic feasibility as mankind has been. “

How did you secure technology of turbocharger?
Turbocharger is highly precise and technology intensive product; even one micrometer on the machine would distort the whole balance of a turbocharger. 20 years ago in Korea, It was impossible to gain technology like that. I had to travel around the world once again to find someone to teach me. Finally I obtained turbocharger assembly permission from MHI, Japan who banned disclose of any intellectual property. Our R&D team had to study turbo technology by ourselves by reverse engineering of MHI’s product from machine, material, design, to production and finally we achieved genuine technology. Some board of director complained my stubbornness that I am crazy enough to research those precise technology in house instead continue just assemble the parts.

People prefer to go on an easy way and try to avoid hard way. I always chose the hard way to accomplish my goal. I guess that is why I could not retire since now. I may not be right but hard way certainly made me learn and experience more.

It’s been 20 years since you started turbocharger business, and it is still a promising market.
I believe naturally aspirated engine will remain more than 100 years. Sure electric engines are trend in emerging market trend but its basic technology is merely transporting exhaust gas to electric power generation. Also hybrid cars are vulnerable in natural disasters. As market continuously demand ecofriendly product, the answer will be turbocharger.

Global expansion is now inevitable in Korea auto manufacturers. How about Keyyang Precision?
​As a supplier of GM, we were honored to receive 'Supplier of the Year Award' in March 2015 from GM headquarter. It was first in GM's history that they awarded turbocharger suppliers in their whole auto part division. I believe 'R&D, Price, and Quality' are the key competitive advantages to survive in global market. Therefore I do not hesitate to invest to elevate those conditions.

Explain about Keyyang Precision’s China market expansion
We opened Shanghai Office, sales branch, in September 2013, and established manufacturing plant in Wuxi, production branch, in rural area of Shanghai in April this year. Annual volume of 1,250,000 capacity facility is now on test operation. As you aware, China market is difficult to get in unless you invest in joint venture. We had to confront almost about one year and finally the government agreed on us to start 100% sole proprietorship. It was first an auto part company expanded to China market without large company’s support.

What is this year’s goal? 

We are currently cooperating new engine development with 10 different Chinese auto companies and our first product will be on mass production on December this year. The volume is 140 thousand on 2016, 420 thousand in 2017. 300 hundred million won (26million dollar) of annual sales will be increased and by 2019 total global sales will reach 1 trillion won (87million dollar) annually.

Recently Keyyang Precison signed Technology Development Agreement with Texas A&M University. It seems you focus on R&D development.

30% of total sales invested in R&D development in Keyyang Precision. As compare to America or China, Korea turbocharger market is not so matured yet. In order to grow R&D facility with more advanced technology, I believe it is necessary to reach out to global market. We are planning to build global R&D cluster in Texas, Gimcheon, and Seoul to access 24 hours connection of technology development.

Constant study and development is the key

Any advice to those who dream to success
True successor does not 'Takes it all'; 'The Winner Takes It All' is not make sense anymore. Some researchers and engineers in higher position of a company tend to spend most of time on just confirming what subordinates reported, instead continue on their study. Engineer's work and office work are different and should not be conducted jointly. That is why winner takes all. There are people who constantly study and build new software even at the age of 60s. Instead trying to Takes all, engineers should focus on their profession more deeply and it is also company's responsibility to provide such environment.​

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