In January, CEO Jung-Hyun Yim conducted an interview with MFG (Manufacturing), a leading Korean magazine specializing in the production and manufacturing industry.
MFG is a Korea-based professional publication that covers a wide range of topics related to the manufacturing sector, including machine tools, machining technologies, automation, smart factories, and measurement and quality control, providing in-depth insights into industry trends, technologies, and corporate case studies.
In this interview, CEO Jung-Hyun Yim shared his management philosophy centered on happiness-driven management, along with the company’s 2026 business strategy in response to evolving market trends.
Please refer to the details below for more information.
Bridging Technology and Management:
The Success Strategy Behind KORLOY CEO Jung-Hyun Yim’s Second-Generation Leadership
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, KORLOY has established itself as a leading total tooling solutions company in Korea’s ultra-precision cutting tool industry. Under the leadership of CEO Jung-Hyun Yim, the company continues to strengthen its position as a global cutting tool manufacturer and supplier.
Building on the founding generation’s management philosophy and the values of happiness-driven management, CEO Yim is advancing glocalization strategies and DX (Digital Transformation) infrastructure, setting a new benchmark for successful second-generation leadership.
Q. MFG Editor-in-Chief Lee Sang-jun (hereinafter “Lee”)
First, please introduce KORLOY.
A. CEO Jung-Hyun Yim of KORLOY (hereinafter “Yim”)
Founded in 1966, KORLOY set out with a clear mission of achieving technological self-reliance in Korea’s cutting tool industry. Since its establishment, the company has strengthened its competitiveness by building fully integrated, in-house capabilities across the entire process—from R&D and design to manufacturing and coating—based on decades of accumulated materials technology and process expertise.
Through the development and production of cutting tools including inserts, turning, milling, holemaking tools, and end mills, KORLOY has expanded its business across diverse industries such as mold and die, automotive, shipbuilding, railway, medical, as well as aerospace and defense, delivering essential industrial solutions.
By overcoming the limitations traditionally associated with domestically produced cutting tools, KORLOY has secured global-level quality and reliability, and today stands as a trusted solution partner proven in manufacturing sites worldwide.
Q. Lee)
What significance does this year hold for KORLOY as it marks its 60th anniversary?
A. Yim)
As KORLOY marks its 60th anniversary, this year represents a new starting point for the company’s next phase of growth. KORLOY’s history has evolved in parallel with the growth of Korea’s manufacturing industry, serving as a core technology partner across key sectors such as automotive, machinery, and mold-making at each stage of industrial advancement.
Looking ahead, KORLOY is strengthening its focus on high value-added future industries, including aerospace, defense, energy, mobility, and medical applications, with the aim of further solidifying its unique technological competitiveness.
In particular, this year marks a critical milestone in KORLOY’s journey toward realizing a smart factory powered by AI-driven robotic automation. It is the year in which DX (Digital Transformation) enters a full-scale implementation phase, enabling the company to accurately assess its current position and drive continuous improvement and innovation. For KORLOY, this 60th anniversary year stands as the foundational year of DX-led transformation and renewed growth.
Q. Lee)
As KORLOY reflects on its 60-year journey, what was the company’s founding philosophy, and how has it been carried forward over the years?
A. Yim)
Since its establishment in 1966, KORLOY has pursued a clear mission: the development of domestically produced cutting tools. At a time when the Korean market relied heavily on imports and lacked a local cutting-tool industry, KORLOY’s founding spirit was rooted in achieving localization. Building on this legacy, I have remained committed to the principle that the development of premium products will ultimately define KORLOY’s future.
Another core philosophy is “happiness management,” which seeks the well-being not only of KORLOY employees, but of all those who grow together with the company. I believe this is a fundamental value that must be preserved and passed on. On the foundation of this philosophy, I strive to ensure that KORLOY’s distinctive originality and differentiation are naturally embedded throughout our organizational culture.
Q. Lee)
Since assuming office in 2019, what would you highlight as your key achievements as CEO?
A. Yim)
Since 2019, we have significantly expanded our R&D investment to strengthen our foundation for premium product development, rapidly enhancing our lineup of inserts, tool holders, and solid round tools for aerospace, defense, automotive, and mold-making applications.
At the same time, we have been building our DX infrastructure through PLM advancement and process automation, laying the groundwork for a fully integrated smart factory that connects development, production, inspection, and logistics.
In addition, by establishing an Engineering Center at our Cheongju plant, we have reinforced our industry-specific application engineering capabilities, providing end-user-focused technical services through in-depth process analysis and tailored machining solutions at KORLOY.
Q. Lee)
How would you evaluate the new business initiatives KORLOY has been focusing on recently, and their outcomes?
A. Yim)
KORLOY has been actively pursuing new business initiatives to diversify beyond its traditional core industries, such as automotive, mold-making, and machinery. We have strengthened our premium product lineup—including high-performance inserts and solid round tools for machining hard-to-cut materials—tailored to the aerospace and defense sectors, while achieving meaningful results through the expansion of our EDT business into mobility, dental, medical, and IT industries.
In addition, in response to the global push toward carbon neutrality, we are focusing on building environmentally friendly manufacturing facilities and have been recognized as a strong performer in ESG management evaluations. For KORLOY, ESG management represents a natural extension of our long-standing philosophy of happiness management, which has guided our continued commitment to social responsibility and community engagement since the company’s early days.
Q. Lee)
KORLOY is widely recognized as a global cutting-tool brand. What areas have you focused on most to achieve this growth?
A. Yim)
Our core focus has been direct communication with overseas customers to accurately understand their needs, supported by a strong glocalization strategy. Moving beyond simple exports, we have established local subsidiaries and partnerships across key global markets, including the United States, Europe, India, Brazil, Türkiye, Chile, Russia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Through this global network, we provide solutions and technical services optimized for each region’s manufacturing environment. In parallel, we have consistently strengthened brand awareness through participation in domestic and international exhibitions, customer invitation programs, local technical seminars, and both online and offline marketing activities. As a result of these efforts, the share of overseas sales has been rising rapidly, and we expect it to exceed 70% this year at KORLOY.
Q. Lee)
We heard that you have also placed strong emphasis on organizational culture innovation.
A. Yim)
KORLOY’s growth over the past 60 years has been driven by a corporate culture in which technology and people grow together. With the belief that “technology is ultimately created by people,” we have advanced structural reforms across our production, engineering, and quality organizations to enable young technical talents to fully realize their potential, strengthening process efficiency and standardization.
Grounded in our philosophy of happiness management, we share the value, “We build our own originality,” across the organization. I believe that when KORLOY’s distinctive technological innovation is built upon stable quality, we can continue to grow as a globally competitive, talent-driven company.
Notably, the fact that our company-wide DX project—critical to KORLOY’s future—was initiated through an internal TFT serves as a clear example of how our unique originality is becoming deeply embedded in our organizational culture at KORLOY.
Q. Lee)
How does KORLOY view 2026, and what management strategies are being prepared for the year ahead?
A. Yim)
While 2026 is expected to remain a challenging year amid rising raw material and labor costs, KORLOY has set its management direction as improving profitability through efficiency-driven operations while ensuring sustainable growth.
To achieve this, we will focus on three priorities: strengthening future competitiveness through high value-added premium products for industries such as aerospace, defense, energy, and mobility; enhancing profitability through rigorous cost management and efficiency-focused operations; and advancing DX and automation to build a smarter, more competitive work and production environment at KORLOY.
Q. Lee)
Finally, how would you like to lead KORLOY into the future?
A. Yim)
KORLOY is a company that truly understands the value created by technology. As we mark our 60th anniversary, we are preparing for another leap forward, striving to be recognized as a company that delivers excellent quality, trust, and the highest level of service.
As a trusted partner that global customers turn to first, we will move forward with confidence. I remain committed to ensuring that everyone who grows with KORLOY can thrive and find happiness, and I will lead the company with unwavering resolve, even in the face of challenges at KORLOY.
The full article is available at the link below.
https://www.mfgkr.com/archives/27171
