Korean companies’ efforts to make their quality products globally recognized are being noticed again. Despite stark external and internal corporate environmental uncertainties, Korean companies have made remarkable achievements when it comes to making quality management their top task.
The 41st National Quality Management Convention, hosted by Korean Agency for Technology and Standards under the umbrella of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and organized by Korea Standards Association (KSA), took place at COEX on Nov. 18. This convention was designed not just to present awards and give words of encouragement to those who have contributed to the industrial competitiveness though quality management, but also to be a forum to congratulate and promote harmony among employers and employees.
Among some 1,800 people on hand at the event were Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn; 1st Vice Minister Lee Kwan-sup of the MOTIE; executives; and staff members of winning companies and organizations. A total of 429 Korea National Quality Awards were presented, including seven orders and medals, 24 presidential awards, and 16 prime ministers’ awards.
In particular, eight of 13 presidential award winners went to SMEs and mid-size superstar companies. It may be construed as the fact that many SMEs and mid-size superstar companies have grown to have a competitive edge and high-quality, innovative capabilities.
Among the winning organizations were 13 bodies that were presented with the presidential award, including Korea Gas Safety Corp. (KGS), and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). EWP won the Presidential Award in the organization category of Korea National Quality Award. EWP was also put on the list of Excellent Quality Competitiveness Enterprise Prizes for the sixth consecutive year in the second-class public entity category.
KGS won the Presidential Award (Human Development) in the organization category of Korea National Quality Award. The company is credited for carrying out its function as a public entity specializing in gas safety. KOTRA won the Presidential Award in sustainable management category of the Korea National Quality Award.
Among the winners of Excellent Quality Competitiveness Enterprises were KEPCO KPS, KNF, KOSEP and EWP. KEPCO Nuclear Fuel Co. (KNF) made it to the list of Excellent Quality Competitiveness Enterprise Prizes for the 15th consecutive year in the first-class public entity category. KOSEP (Korea South-East Power) won the Excellent Quality Competitiveness Enterprise Prizes for the 1st time in the second-class public entity category.
In his congratulatory speech, Prime Minister Hwang said, “Korean companies have managed to secure competitiveness of global recognition thanks to their commitment to quality innovation.” He went on to say that the spreading of large-sized companies’ high-level quality management tactics to SMEs will be key to the resurgence of the Korean economy.
Hwang also expressed hope the convention will be an opportunity for large- and small-sized companies to agree on collaboration and promoting co-existence.
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Winners of the Korea National Quality Awards and dignitaries pose together at the 41st National Quality Management Convention.(Photos:KSA)
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