The Vice President & Plant Manager, Mr. Shinji TATSUKAWA of Daicel Safety Systems Korea discusses his company’s operations in South Korea and talks about doing business in South Korea and Yeongcheon City.

Q1. Can you tell us about Daicel Safety Systems Korea?
A. DSSK is a subsidiary of Daicel, a Japan-based inflator manufacturer. An airbag mainly consists of three parts – a part that changes the impact into an electric signal, a part that inflates a bag, and a bag itself. DSSK produces auto components which inflate the bag which is called an ‘inflator’.
 
Q2. Why did you decide to move to  Yeongcheon Industry District?
A. There are several reasons. Gyeongbuk Province, Yeongcheon City, and DGFEZ all highly recommended this place. They promised support to ease the administrative process to get approval from the government office. Our biggest customer, Hyundai Mobis, is located 80km from DGFEZ Yeongcheon district. It is an ideal place for exporting due its close proximity to Busan port which is only an hour and a half away. Our suppliers are located nearby, too. It is also easy to recruit skilled labor from the Korea’s fourth biggest city, Daegu, and from Yeongcheon city.
 
Q3. Can you explain DSSK’s logistics?
A. We deliver our products directly to Hyundai Mobis, our biggest customer, using the highway nearby. For international travel and logistics we use Busan port and Gimhae International Airport that are in close proximity. DGFEZ site is ideal for our logistics.
 
Q4. Have you been able to find talented human resources in South Korea?
A. In short, our employees are very enthusiastic. They are very passionate about manufacturing work, and they have ambition. Their will to learn based on their ambition corresponds with our aim to be a global company. Next is language proficiency. Nearly every employee can speak English, and there are many who can also speak Japanese. We believe that we have acquired talented workers.
 
Q5. How has the one-stop service from DGFEZ supported your business?
A. We have been supported in all ways greatly. This was the first time that we established a factory in Korea and we needed to get approvals according to the various administrative laws and procedures. The support from DGFEZ was the biggest help that allowed us to receive all the approvals in a timely manner. Also, we have received incentives such as rent discounts. Even after moving in DGFEZ, we are still receiving continuous support. DGFEZ has aided us even with minor details such as recruitment, factory management and communication with local residents. All of these have helped us a great deal.