Chairman Kim Chang-yong of the Korea Standards Association, 6th L, and the reps of the 

companies whose products were named  as top ones in quality based on 

KS-QEI pose for a photo session after the announbcement of the selection.

   KS-Quality Excellence Index (KS-QEI) is the only integrated index for product quality because it is determined by consumers and experts who use and examine the products and judge their qualities as well as the degree of customer satisfaction.

These days, consumers rarely make up their minds to buy certain commodities just by listening to the sales pitches and the product information provided by the manufacturers. Consumers compare the product’s quality and price to see if they are getting their money’s worth, in addition to how they feel when using them.

KS-QEI is an index that reflects these factors. The index shows the diverse qualities of products and services that the consumers describe when using them in addition to changing trends on what consumers want from the products they need as well as results of comparisons with competitor’s products, making it a useful tool for manufacturers when developing their future goods.

This year 108 items — 67 consumer products, 20 industrial materials, and 21 service products — were evaluated by consumers who used the products and experts in on and off-line surveys conducted from May to July this year.

By sectors, Delco was selected as the best producer of batteries for cars, Shinil for electric fans, Ace Bed for beds for residential homes, Hongsong Brake for auto brake linings and pads, Kumkang Shoes for leather shoes, all of them winning the honors for eight years in a row.

Kyungdong Navien was selected for home water heaters, and Donga Special Chemical for its umji antifreeze, winning the honors for seven years in a row.

Samsung SS won the top honor for its hypass computers for a sixth straight years, while Hanil Cement was selected for best dry mortar, Hankook Tire for car tires, and POSCO Construction for apartments, taking the honor for five years in a row.

KCC won the honor for flooring material, Hanil Cement for Portland cement, Kyungdong Navien for condensing gas boilers for hot water, and Hyundai Motor for small to mid-sized sedans, and medium-sized sedans for four years in a row.

Sampyo won the top honor for ready-mix concrete, Keyang Electric for electric-run wheels, Hyundai Motor for car services, and Samsung SNS for digital door locks, taking the honors for three years in a row.

Samsung Electronics was honored for a number of its products including TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners; Kyowon for water refiners, Esmond Furniture for home furniture, Yellow Balloon for travel agent, Shindo Rico for copiers, KCC for sealant, Samhwa Paint for paints, and Korea Electric Power KPS for power generation service, all of them winning the honor for two years in a row. First-time winners include Daelim for its bidet, Samhwa Paint for water-based paint, Dabonda for black box, Osram Korea for florescent lights, Hankook Pottery for pottery home set, Lotte Supermarket for large supermarket chain, Kumho Rent Car for rental car service, KCC for window frames, LSIS for PLC inverters, Samsung Electronics for computers, tablets, digital cameras, refrigerators for kimchi, and laser printers, for a total of 108 products and services.

A special feature of the index’s makeup this year has been a survey on the quality of products in use and of an enduring nature, in addition to product quality.

Chairman Kim Chang-yong of the Korean Standards Association, said the KS-QEI, which has been in use for nine years now, has changed its name to the Korea Quality Satisfaction Index and they will try to make the index recognized globally in the days ahead.