■ Local workforce hiring system and latest automated machines implemented to secure future competitiveness
■ Eco-friendly equipment installed to raise employee working conditions and protect the local environment
■ Production capacity to reach $70 mil. annually once factory 2 begins operations next year
South Korea’s leading clothing export company, Sae-A Trading, recently began operations of a new factory in the Central American state of the Dominican Republic. The factory is equipped with the latest equipment, 26 production lines, and able to produce US$ 36 million worth of export goods annually. The motto of this new production subsidiary is ‘localization’, meaning that all senior positions, from the factory manager to each departmental managerial positions, are hired locally, in order to localize the branch and create jobs in the region.
The subsidiary is also taking the lead in ‘automation’. Automated equipment such as AUTOCAM cutting machines, AUTO HEMMING machines, AUTO POCKET machines have been installed, along with a production management system (MES: Manufacturing Execution System) in order to raise production efficiency, guarantee quality, and ensure future competitiveness. Moreover, no money has been spared to invest in eco-friendly equipment (waste materials incinerator, water cooling systems, LED’s, etc.) to improve the working conditions for our staff and protect the local environment.
The head of Sae-A Dominicana, Kim Sang-yoon, said “Despite this unprecedented COVID-19 situation, I am delighted that we were able to successfully open this new Sae-A Dominicana production base, here in the Central American Carribean state of the Dominican Republic. Through efforts such as the local management structure production, and adoption of the latest automated machines, we will do our best to become a leading overseas office that stays ahead of the competition.”
Sae-A Trading, which primarily targets the U.S. market, has moved quickly to invest in ‘Nearshoring’, a fast-moving trend that is being seen amid the pandemic. Following on from the successful opening of the first Dominicana production factory, a second factory is set to become operational next year, and this base will then be able to produce up to $70 million worth of exports annually.
# # #
Sae-A Trading was established in 1986, and it quickly grew in the global market to become Korea’s leading clothing export company. Beginning with a production base in Guatemala, there are now offices in 10 countries around the world, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Nicaragua and Haiti, with over 60,000 staff, producing and exporting trend-setting clothing products in North America, Europe and Asia. Sae-A also believes in the principle that the company is a member of the global community, and therefore pursues ‘sustainable management’ by efforts to protect the local environment and carrying out socially responsible activities.