KT&G 'Global Top Tier' Foundation... Bang Gyeongman Leads with On-site Management First Step

Confirmed Appointment of CEO at General Meeting
Visit to Domestic Worksites
Encouragement of Employee Performance and Feedback Collection
Emphasis on Enhancing Shareholder Value Centered on Three Core Businesses

"The domestic tobacco business is becoming the foundation for KT&G to leap to the 'global top tier.' It is expected to continue playing a pivotal role in the company's sustained growth."

Bang Kyung-man, the new CEO of KT&G appointed after 9 years, chose on-site management as his first agenda and worked to boost the morale of employees.

According to related industries on the 1st, after Bang was confirmed as CEO at the regular shareholders' meeting on the 28th of last month, he immediately visited KT&G's domestic business sites, including the Chungnam Headquarters and Seodaejeon Branch. At this event, he encouraged employees who contributed to continuously breaking records in domestic market share and sales despite fierce competition with global tobacco companies and listened to opinions from the sales field.

Bang Kyung-man, the newly appointed president of KT&G, is presiding over his first management meeting, explaining the company's three core business strategy directions to key executives.
[Photo by KT&G]

He praised, "The domestic business sector has recently set new records in market share and sales for three consecutive years despite a challenging business environment, including intensified competition in the electronic cigarette (NGP) market. These achievements are the result of the dedicated efforts of our members who worked hard on the ground in the sales field." Bang’s prioritization of 'communication' with field personnel is interpreted as a move aligned with the management strategy he presented as his inaugural message.

Earlier, he proposed 'T·O·P' as the next management strategy for KT&G’s mid- to long-term vision of leaping to the global top tier. This acronym combines the first letters of the English words Trust, Origin, and Professional. It conveys a message to enhance trust with stakeholders through active communication, secure fundamental competitiveness as a 'first mover,' and strengthen global expertise for performance and growth.

Bang Kyung-man, the new president of KT&G (seventh from the left in the back row), visited the KT&G Chungnam Headquarters and Seodaejeon Branch on the 28th of last month to encourage employees and took a commemorative photo afterward.
[Photo by KT&G]

At the first management meeting he chaired after his appointment was confirmed, Bang emphasized building a 'virtuous cycle' that raises sales and profits and enhances shareholder value by leveraging the company’s three core businesses: global combustible cigarettes (CC), NGP, and health functional foods. He urged employees, saying, "Based on KT&G’s successful history of overcoming numerous crises and growing, let us create a new legend through fresh and bold attempts."

Meanwhile, at this shareholders' meeting, Bang was confirmed as CEO by receiving 84,097,688 votes, ranking first overall in the cumulative voting system that appoints the top two candidates among three nominees, including two outside director candidates, as internal and external directors.