Gwangyang Steelworks Cold Rolling Department Manager Son Gwang-ho and Pohang Steelworks Ironmaking Department Deputy General Manager Kim Su-hak Selected
Chairman Choi Jeong-woo Presents Master Craftsman Plaques... "Leading On-site Competitiveness as Role Models of the Company's 'Technical Personnel'"
Special One-Rank Promotion and Award Presented
[Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] POSCO announced on the 27th that it has selected two ‘POSCO Masters’ for 2021, who possess world-class technical expertise and know-how.
At the recent July group management meeting, POSCO Group Chairman Choi Jeong-woo presented the POSCO Master appointment plaques to Gwangyang Cold Rolling Department Manager Son Gwang-ho and Pohang Ironmaking Department Deputy General Manager Kim Su-hak, respectively.
At the award ceremony, Chairman Choi Jeong-woo said, “I hope the efforts and passion of the two POSCO Masters will spread, encouraging many employees to challenge themselves to become masters. I also hope they will continue to lead the strengthening of on-site competitiveness as role models of ‘technical personnel,’ the source of the company’s competitiveness, and lead the role of corporate citizens.”
Master Son Gwang-ho, who joined the company in 1990, is the leading authority in the field of cold rolling thickness control and the youngest POSCO Master in history. Cold rolling is a process that makes cold-rolled steel sheets by passing thick hot-rolled coils through multiple rollers to press them thin.
Master Son developed an AI-based load prediction technology that drastically reduced thickness defects by more than 70% compared to before.
Master Son expressed his aspiration, saying, “Based on smart technology, I want to further devote myself to advancing cold rolling technology and become a role model in creating the safest and most competitive steelworks.”
Master Kim Su-hak, who joined in 1986, is a top technician with expertise in blast furnace refractory construction, drying, and hearth repair technologies, holding a Korean patent related to refractory hot air drying equipment.
Master Kim developed refractory hot air drying equipment, automated related construction methods, and optimized the tapping pattern, achieving groundbreaking results.
Master Kim shared his thoughts, saying, “It is the greatest honor as a POSCO member. I only set goals, challenged myself, and did my best, so I think I received an undeserved evaluation. I consider the selection as a master not an end but a new beginning, and I will do my best in everything for the company and my colleagues.”
Employees selected as POSCO Masters receive a special promotion of one rank, a prize worth 20 million KRW, and five days of special leave.
Furthermore, masters with outstanding future performance can grow to executive positions.
The two POSCO Masters selected this day will be permanently enshrined in the POSCO Hall of Fame located in ‘Park1538,’ a newly opened high-quality complex cultural space near POSCO headquarters in Pohang, along with 19 existing masters.
The POSCO Hall of Fame commemorates and remembers the achievements of employees who have illuminated POSCO, including founding members, former CEOs, and past technical experts and masters.
Since 2015, POSCO has been selecting POSCO Masters annually through a rigorous screening process to enhance the company’s technological competitiveness. POSCO Masters serve as the source of on-site technical competitiveness and engineer role models, presenting and leading growth visions.
POSCO Masters contribute to improving the company’s technological competitiveness through various activities such as transferring specialized technical skills, giving special lectures to new employees and in-house university students, and providing equipment management lectures to partner and client companies. Even after retirement, they are rehired as technical consultants to pass on their skills and know-how to juniors.
POSCO plans to continue selecting outstanding on-site personnel as masters to build an organizational culture where technical personnel are respected and to instill the belief among on-site employees that ‘any hardworking employee can become a POSCO Master’ by presenting senior and junior colleagues as role models.
Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr
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