Expansion from Printing to Finishing and Temporary Construction Materials
Enhancing Safety and Efficiency at Construction Sites with System Scaffolding
Thirty Years as a Correctional Committee Member... ESG Management in the Spotlight with Wallpaper Donations
"Spaces made beautiful, people made healthy."
This is how Sunyoung, a company specializing in architectural finishing materials, can be summed up in a single sentence. The management philosophy of Sunyoung, led by CEO Kim Cheolhwan, is ultimately focused on people?whether it is technology, products, or social contribution. Interior finishing materials have improved the satisfaction of living spaces, while system scaffolding used at construction sites has ensured the safety of workers. Through 30 years of service as a correctional committee member at Anyang Prison, Kim has also helped former inmates reintegrate into society.
At the "4th Management Innovation Excellent Company Field Tour" hosted by the Korea Management Innovation Small and Medium Business Association (MainBiz Association) on the 26th, CEO Kim emphasized both quality management and social responsibility. He said, "Since our founding, we have been recognized for product performance in the field of architectural finishing materials through continuous research and development (R&D)." He added, "We have also donated wallpaper worth billions of won to prisons and provided funds for inmates." By pursuing both technological development and social contribution, Sunyoung has followed a path rarely seen among small and medium-sized enterprises.
Kim Cheolhwan, CEO of Sunyoung, spoke at the press conference of the "4th Management Innovation Excellent Company Field Tour" hosted by the Korea Management Innovation Small and Medium Business Association (MainBiz Association) on the 26th. MainBiz Association
From Printing to Temporary Construction Materials... Sunyoung's Winning Move
Sunyoung began in 1979 as "Sunyoung Plate Making Industry." Although it started in the printing business, the company quickly recognized the intensifying competition and growth limitations in the industry and boldly changed its direction. It transitioned into manufacturing interior and exterior architectural finishing materials, building a diverse product lineup including wallpaper, flooring, deco tiles, interior films, and engineered wood flooring. As a result of continuous investment in facilities and technology development, the company achieved sales of 40.3 billion won last year.
Last year, Sunyoung embarked on a new phase of growth. Based on its existing technological capabilities, the company made a full-scale entry into the temporary construction materials business. Temporary construction materials are structures or components temporarily installed before a building is completed and removed after construction is finished. Sunyoung is targeting new markets by producing system scaffolding, safety platforms, recycled plastic panels (RPP) for temporary fencing, and soundproof panels.
Among these, "system scaffolding" is a product that overcomes the limitations of conventional steel pipe scaffolding. The product features standardized and integrated stairs and connecting parts, differentiating it from traditional steel pipe scaffolding, which required assembling pipes one by one at the site. CEO Kim explained, "Installation is fast and the appearance is clean, which is increasing demand, especially at large construction sites. In particular, the built-in safety platforms and railings provide outstanding worker safety." Another product, the "safety platform," is also easy to assemble and dismantle and is made from galvanized steel sheets for semi-permanent use.
Kim Cheolhwan, CEO of Seonyeong, is explaining the cooling molding machine in the recycled plastic panel (RPP) manufacturing line. MainBiz Association
Unusual for a Small Business... Acquisition of LG Chem Facilities
The company's production base also stands out. Sunyoung operates four factories in Cheongju, Chungbuk; Cheonan, Chungnam; and Hwaseong, Gyeonggi. All are equipped with smart factory systems and have achieved "intermediate level 1" automation. The company also holds major quality and safety certifications such as KS, ISO 9001, and KCs, as well as five patents and more than ten design registrations.
In particular, the Cheongju factory is the "heart" of Sunyoung. This facility was expanded when Sunyoung acquired the production facilities and brand of LG Chem's HPL division?a rare case of a small business acquiring large corporate facilities. The Cheongju factory has a "one-stop production system" that carries out all processes in-house, from design and printing to adhesion, post-processing, and packaging. This enables Sunyoung to meet the quality control and delivery requirements needed to serve as an OEM producer for major corporations.
The Cheonan 1 and 2 factories produce residential PVC flooring and deco tiles. These products are optimized for indoor environments, offering enhanced features such as stain resistance, durability, walking comfort, shock absorption, and soundproofing. The Hwaseong factory operates as a dedicated logistics center for temporary construction materials.
A view of Seonyeong Cheongju Factory located in Bongmyeong-dong, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk. Seonyeong
Leading ESG Management... Officially Recognized as an Exemplary Company by the Government
Sunyoung is also at the forefront of practicing ESG management. CEO Kim has supported the reintegration of former inmates into society for about 30 years as a correctional committee member at Anyang Prison, starting in 1996?well before the concept of ESG management became established. He provided jobs at the Cheongju factory and other locations to more than 100 former inmates. Kim is often called a "big brother-like CEO" for personally visiting and encouraging these individuals. In addition, he has donated wallpaper and flooring worth hundreds of millions of won to correctional institutions nationwide.
These efforts have been officially recognized by various organizations. In 2013, Sunyoung was selected as a certified company for the "Workplace Sharing HUG Mark" by the Korea Rehabilitation Agency, and in 2015, it was introduced as an exemplary case as a "Hope Sharing Job Cooperation Company" by the Ministry of Justice. Subsequently, in 2023, CEO Kim was awarded the Order of Civil Merit, Dongbaek Medal, at the 78th Correctional Day ceremony.
In conclusion, CEO Kim stated, "Sunyoung will continue to provide valuable products to customers as a specialized manufacturer of temporary construction materials and interior and exterior finishing materials through business expansion and facility investment. We will make constant efforts to become a leading company that can be the closest partner to our customers."
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