Visiting Small Manufacturers in Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
"Small Manufacturers as Key Drivers of Innovative Growth"
Hansung Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, emphasized her commitment to fostering small manufacturers-the backbone of the manufacturing industry-not just as recipients of support, but as key drivers of innovative growth.
On January 16, at the Changsin Co-working Space in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Minister Hansung Sook attended a roundtable discussion titled "Future Policy Directions for Innovative Growth of Small Manufacturers." She stated, "We will identify and nurture outstanding products made by small manufacturers imbued with craftsmanship, expand their domestic and international sales channels, and support their advanced technologies to gain recognition in the global market."
Since November of last year, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has been holding the second season of relay roundtables focused on the growth of small businesses. The roundtable held on this day was organized to share a policy shift aimed at nurturing small manufacturers-who form the foundation of manufacturing and support the local economy-as leaders of innovative growth. The event was attended by approximately 12 participants, including six representatives from various industries and other experts in the field.
Prior to the roundtable, Minister Hansung Sook visited the shared equipment room for fashion small manufacturers in Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to inspect firsthand how advanced digital equipment is being integrated with decades of accumulated skilled techniques. Observing the operation site where traditional sewing skills are enhanced by digital equipment-enabling complex processes to be handled more precisely and swiftly-she confirmed the potential for small manufacturers to grow beyond simple producers into innovative entrepreneurs and offered encouragement to those on site.
During the subsequent roundtable, successful cases of digital transformation among small manufacturers were shared. Yang Eunmi, CEO of Atelier Darin, discussed how she overcame the limitations of traditional jewelry production, which relied entirely on manual processes, by incorporating digital technology. Kim Minsik, CEO of Adamo Studio, also shared his experience of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology into the skilled garment manufacturing techniques he has honed over 40 years, reducing errors from the sample production stage and improving process efficiency.
Participants discussed not only the direction for the innovative growth of small manufacturers but also various challenges they face, such as establishing infrastructure for industrial clusters, improving financial, workforce, and working conditions to ease management burdens, and developing domestic and international sales channels for outstanding products. Kim Yongjin, Senior Research Fellow at the Small Enterprise Research Institute, suggested, "A tailored digital transformation that considers the realities of small manufacturers is necessary," and added, "A phased digital transformation is needed, progressing from the basic stage of smart workshops to intelligent smart factories."
Minister Hansung Sook stated, "We will foster regions like Changsin-dong, where manufacturing and commercial districts are closely linked, as hubs of innovation, and support the gradual digital transformation of small manufacturers in line with their unique characteristics."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
