'Ottogi' That Never Falls Beyond 'Food Protection'
Diet Innovation and Various Sponsorships
Chairman Ham Young-jun "Inheriting Father's Philosophy"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] The 5th anniversary memorial service for the late Ham Tae-ho, honorary chairman and founder of Ottogi (photo), was held on the 10th at the Ottogi Center in Daechi-dong and his ancestral home in Cheonan, Chungnam, in compliance with quarantine guidelines. Although the anniversary date is the 12th, the service was held two days earlier considering the holiday. The memorial was quietly conducted with the attendance of family members including Ham Young-jun, chairman of Ottogi, and company executives.
The spirit of Ham Tae-ho’s ‘Food for the Nation (食品輔國)’ is being reexamined. His belief in discovering new flavors to enrich our dining tables is embedded in the sayings he left behind during his lifetime. Phrases such as “Find the answer on site,” “No compromise on quality,” “Interest brings change,” “Work is about finding work,” and “Manage by numbers, find problems by numbers, get results by numbers” have resonated throughout society.
Innovation in Curry and Mayonnaise
Ham, who founded Poonglim Trading Company in 1969, set up a small factory in Mullae-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. After several months of preparation, on May 5, 1969, he launched the first product, ‘Ottogi Curry,’ into the market. Subsequently, Ham introduced soup, ketchup, mayonnaise, and vinegar one after another, leading innovation in the Korean diet. In the late 1980s, he entered the ramen business by acquiring Cheongbo Food. He then expanded his presence into the tuna and instant rice markets, solidifying his position. Ten years after establishment, in 1979, Ottogi achieved sales of 10 billion won. Surpassing 100 billion won in sales in 1988, Ottogi reached 1 trillion won in 2007 and opened the era of 2 trillion won in sales in 2017.
For Ham, Ottogi was not about falling and getting up again, but about standing firm without ever falling ? the principle of Bujeonsangnip (不轉常立). His resilience as an entrepreneur is evident in the decade-long competition against multinational corporations in the 1980s, where he successfully protected the domestic market. He was the first in Korea to implement route sales, where salespeople directly face clients and consumers. He also introduced Korea’s first tasting sales and saleswoman system.
Support for Children with Heart Disease
Ham dreamed of a ‘world where we live together’ both in life and management. Like the Ottogi logo shaped like a tumbler doll with a bright smile, he carried out various sponsorship projects for children. Ham engaged in scholarship programs, support for the disabled, academic awards, and other acts of sharing.
Especially inseparable from Ham Tae-ho’s life was his support for children with heart disease. After hearing the news that lives that could be saved were suffering because surgery costs could not be afforded, he began supporting children with congenital heart disease through the Korea Heart Foundation in 1992. The support started with 5 children per month and now 22 children receive new life every month. Until his passing in September 2016, Ham supported a total of 4,265 children. He treasured letters written by children who gained new life with their small hands more than any honor.
Ham Young-jun, chairman of Ottogi, is striving to carry on his father Ham Tae-ho’s ‘Food for the Nation’ philosophy. In Ham’s office, there is a framed resignation letter of the honorary chairman. He said, “I keep it to always remember my father’s heart who thought of the company as a single person.”
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