Leading Win-Win Growth with Clients, Group Companies, and Local Communities! … Pohang Steelworks' Equipment Experts, the 'Hidden Masters,' Take Action

Providing solution consulting such as technical support, equipment diagnosis, and risk assessment

Six 'hidden masters' of the Equipment Technology Department at Pohang Steelworks, engaged in technical support activities. (From left) Manager Chun-gi Lee, Manager Heon-jik Lee, Manager Jong-heon Park, Diagnosis Officer Ji-jong Jeong, Electrical Officer Tae-ryeong Heo, Deputy General Manager Jae-hwan Lee.
[Image source=POSCO Pohang Steelworks]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yeo Jong-gu] The hidden masters of the Equipment Technology Department at Pohang Steelworks in Gyeongbuk have begun full-scale technical support for client companies and the local community.

Known as the ‘Master Captains,’ six experts including leader Park Gwang-eun are specialists in various equipment fields. Every year, they work with stakeholders across diagnostics, electrical, mechanical, and rolling sectors to solve chronic equipment issues and promote energy-saving solution activities.

When a client or group company requests or reports equipment status and problems, the ‘Sumgo Team,’ composed of equipment experts, is immediately formed to analyze data and visit the client site to diagnose the equipment directly.

After completing the diagnosis, they analyze the findings, submit a diagnostic report to the client, and provide thorough post-management monitoring.

This year, they resolved the coil breakage issue in the molten galvanizing line at POSCO Steelion, a group company, and have been providing equipment and safety-related solution consulting to group companies.

POSCO Sumgo Team’s one-stop solution consulting, including root cause analysis and post-monitoring, leads to the resolution of chronic equipment problems, resulting in positive responses from clients. Previously, frequent difficulties arose from equipment issues on-site, but through solution marketing, production increase and cost reduction were dramatically improved.

The Pohang Steelworks ‘Sumgo’ team’s technical support extends beyond group companies to actively demonstrate their capabilities for the local community.

They improved production equipment issues at the Pohang City Disabled Rehabilitation Workshop, which produces volume-based waste plastic bags for Pohang City.

Ha Jae-hyun, the secretary-general working at the Pohang City Disabled Rehabilitation Workshop, expressed gratitude to POSCO, saying, “We were able to solve a three-year-old problem that even the equipment manufacturer could not resolve.”

Currently, they are collaborating with Pohang City on the ‘Haedo-dong 7080 Themed Street Development Project.’

Participating in the project to transform Haedo-dong street, once a bicycle commuting route for POSCO workers, into a landmark, they are producing related facilities and providing technical support activities, contributing to the development of a local themed attraction.

Leader Park Gwang-eun said, “The technical support activity ‘Sumgo’ is part of corporate citizenship activities pursuing mutual growth and coexistence with stakeholders. I feel rewarded to practice With POSCO at the closest distance to Pohang citizens by utilizing POSCO’s technological capabilities.”

Meanwhile, since 2015, the Equipment Technology Department at Pohang Steelworks has been providing technical support to POSCO group companies, clients, and nearby communities by leveraging steelworks equipment management know-how and maintenance technology. This year, they plan to support 35 cases, including safety inspections (8 cases), technical support (7 cases), and local complaints (4 cases), covering clients, group companies, and the local community.