Kobe Steel Establishes New Sales Base of Welding Material in Korea

Kobe Steel announced on Wednesday the firm starts operation of Kobe Welding Material Korea (KWMK), the sales base of welding material, in South Korea in July. Kobe Steel aims to follow the demand from shipbuilding and energy industries in Korea through KWMK. This is Kobe Steel’s first sales base of welding materials in the country.

Kobe Steel has sold welding materials for South Korean shipbuilders through a local agency. The agency has also cooperated in Kobe Steel’s export of welding materials from Japan to South Korean energy industry. KWMK will succeed sales function of the agency and Kobe Welding of Korea (KWK), Kobe Steel’s productive subsidiary in the country, for stronger tie-up with local customers, more effective sales activities and higher productivity.

South Korean heavy industry is strengthening order receipt activities for energy projects in emerging countries. Kobe Steel plans to supply high-value added welding materials through KWMK while expand the sales of welding materials by provision of solutions to shipbuilders.

KWMK was established in April with 800 million won capital fund, 51% taken by Kobe Steel, 40% by the local agency, 7% by KWK and 2% by Shinko Corporation, Kobe Steel Group’s trading company. The head office is in Pusan with 8 staffs.