Raising Awareness of KS-Certified Genuine Products in the Market
Expecting Expansion of Safe Steel Material Usage
Dongkuk Steel's customized steel e-commerce site, 'Steelshop,' launched the sales service for 'KS-certified genuine thick plate standard steel' on the 16th, targeting the demand for safe steel materials.
'Thick plate standard steel' refers to thick plates of specified dimensions (2438x6096). They are used in bridges, construction reinforcements, steel structures, and plants. It accounts for about 40% of the annual demand of 3.5 million tons of non-shipbuilding thick plates. 'KS-certified genuine' means standard steel that meets the yield strength KS SS275.
The existing market was a mixed market of imported products, import substitutes, and KS standard-compliant genuine products, where price was the purchasing criterion rather than quality. However, with the recent increase in market demand for safe construction, the demand for genuine standard steel that meets quality standards is expected to gradually increase.
Photo of Dongkuk Steel's genuine thick plate standard product meeting KS standards [Photo by Dongkuk Steel]
Steelshop has enhanced trust through a 'made-to-order' production method. Buyers can purchase anytime and anywhere via the Steelshop website or app. Quantity and delivery date selection are also flexible. Upon order completion, products are immediately manufactured at Dongkuk Steel's Dangjin plant and delivered to the designated location at the desired time. Prices are also cheaper compared to existing Steelshop items.
Dongkuk Steel notes that the steel KS standard revised in 2016 according to international standards has not yet been established in the standard thick plate market. This service is expected to raise buyers' awareness of genuine product standards in the market and improve habitual purchasing, thereby expanding the use of safe steel materials.
Launched in May 2021, Steelshop was created by Dongkuk Steel to improve customer inconveniences occurring in the existing steel transaction process and provide services through e-commerce. With high customer response such as ultra-short delivery of thick plates and small quantity transport of rebar, it secured over 2,000 customers within 20 months of launch. The cumulative sales volume reached about 40,000 tons.
Through Steelshop, Dongkuk Steel plans to build a platform where steel purchases can be completed online. It is focusing on continuous service development with the goal of achieving an annual sales volume of 250,000 tons by 2026.
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