Hyundai EP runs three business divisions: PO (Polyolefine), PS (Polystyrene), and Construction Materials. The PO part supplies PP (Polypropylene) and PE (Polyethylene), both of which are used for industrial materials and consumer goods. The PS (Polystyrene) part manufactures PS (Polystyrene) and EPS (Expandable Polystyrene), which are also used for industrial materials. Lastly, Construction Materials part produces diverse kinds of materials used at construction sites. And each of the divisions has its own plant for producing high quality products such as the Dangjin Plant (PP), the Jincheon plant (PE), the Ulsan plant (PS/EPS), and the Jochiwon plant (Construction Materials). We, IPARK STORY, have met employees of the Jincheon plant.
 

(Members of the Jincheon plant challenging for “Zero Percent Defective”)

 

“The Jincheon plant, located in Gwanghyewon Industrial Complex (Gwanghyewon-myeon, Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do), has only about 50 workers and occupies land area of 16,530㎡ and building area of 12,058㎡ which is smaller than one fifth of Dangjin’s and one tenth of Ulsan’s. However, we could confidently say that each of our employees and quality of the products are even better than those of other big plants.”

“We originally belonged to the SK Specialty Polymers Business, but were acquired by Hyundai EP in 2007. It was the perfect decision as we were in time for trying to expand our business in China and India. Furthermore, more than 70% of the total production has been exported in recent years, contributing to keeping the growth trend of Hyundai EP,” Cha Gwon Ju, the leader of the Production Team, stated.

Just as Cha Gwon Ju said, the Jincheon plant has produced more than 2 million tons of PE Compound products per year including rubber parts for automotive and electric/electronic products as well as materials for steel pipes, pipe adhesive materials, construction pipe, and storage containers.

 

Newly industrialized countries occupying major part of our export amount has faced economic recession in recent years, but members at the Jincheon plant rather show their will to produce high quality products despite this situation. “In the field of High Tech Materials, demand for new materials keeps changing as the technology advances. Therefore, every division of Hyundai EP has been studying trends of the market and actively carrying out research and development to meet customers’ demand in high quality goods at reasonable price. We are also making an effort to build worldwide Sales & Marketing Network. Furthermore, we have done our best to produce superior products for sales increase developed by the engineers in our Production Team. We would make a persistent effort to apply innovation through self-improvement and benchmarking.”

(A picture of the Jincheon Plant which is very neat and tidy)

The product line of which operation rate is close to 90% runs 24 hours a day. It operates from Monday morning to Sunday morning with a short break after this. Employees work from 7a.m to 7a.m. on the next day in three shifts for 8 hours per person. All production activities are performed strictly and safely according to the Work Orders. Management staffs’ also start their day at the field. After a simple exercise in the morning, they supervise the whole process from input of raw materials to packaging to inspect safety or quality problems. Then, they would have a meeting with the leader of the shift group reviewing of work situations, quality of the products manufactured last night, and other major issues. “We have always tried to deliver our products complying with an operation schedule,” the leader said. The Production Team would constantly participate in the whole process from planning to delivery in order to promote productivity and prevent quality problems in advance.

 

Despite consecutive unexpected circumstances, the team has smoothly processed the scheduled workloads with its perfect team work. “More than 70% of the team has worked over 10 years, and about 50% of the team has worked for 15 years. Now, only by looking at each other’s faces, we could understand what is needed. Most of the staff are highly skilled, quickly understand the work order, and manage to handle urgent situations without panic. As a team leader, I am very grateful for it.”

It is also a great advantage that most teammates live near work place. They spend off-shift hours together playing soccer and fishing, giving numerous chances to communicate. “We are energetic men. While contending for the victory on a playground and sweating, we build fellowship that exceeds general business relations. However, the fact that we have personal intimacy doesn’t mean we neglect our duties on work. As much as seniors trust juniors, juniors give their best to meet up the expectations. We cultivate the habit of proactive attitude, taking actions before anyone orders. I am very confident that our attitude towards business is more serious than any other people not just in Korea, but in the world.”

 

It might seem easy to fall into mannerism because team’s daily duty follows regular schedules, but Production Team are not satisfied with the present methodology and constantly search for better ways to deliver better results. “Upgrading business efficiency is every company’s task. However, I believe that one action is worth more than a thousand words. Instead of hosting one-off event with big slogans, we run a systematic improvement program that can naturally make workers think of improvement ideas through spontaneous participation.”

(An employee of Jincheon Plant Production Team is examining the cooling procedure.)

Hyundai EP Production Team endeavors to produce high quality products with utmost efficiency by focusing their efforts on Quality, Safety, and Process and Facility improvements. Yet, they feel that they have more to achieve. “It’s already 2016. Time really flies. In 2015, Production team laid the foundation to accomplish both quantitative and qualitative growth. To promote active participation of our employees, we started QC circles and came up with several quality improvement ideas. This year, we will build the house called “qualitative improvement” on this foundation. By reinforcing QC circles activity and sticking to the basics, we will progress toward quality improvement, achieving 0% defective and becoming one of the greatest PE(Polyethylene) Production Base in the world. In 2016, we will take the next leap by consistently offering education to our staff members, actively carrying out the reforms and benchmarking the best practice. I wish you achieve all you want in New Year, and please give further support and encouragement to our Hyundai EP Jincheon Plant. Thank you.”

 

[Source: Excerpt from “HDC NEWSROOM” http://blog.naver.com/iparkstory]