21 companies named this year's top materials, parts and equipment firms

Yang Ki-wook, director general for resource security policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy [Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy]
Yang Ki-wook, director general for resource security policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy [Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy]

A comprehensive exhibition linking South Korea's industrial supply chain — spanning materials, parts and equipment as well as foundational manufacturing technologies — to key industries opened Wednesday, covering everything from technology development to market expansion and investment attraction.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said it is holding the "2026 Materials, Parts, Equipment and Root Technology Expo" at Hall 1 of KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, from Wednesday through Friday.

Held annually since 2011, this year's event carries the theme "Deep Connect — The Power Linking Materials, Parts, Equipment and Root Technologies to Industry," and serves as a platform for sharing advanced technology achievements and future visions. The program includes exhibitions, business consultations, and forums and seminars. Co-organizers include the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT), the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, the Korea Materials and Components Investment Institutions Council, and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.

At Wednesday's opening ceremony, awards were presented to individuals and companies that have contributed to the development of the industrial supply chain. Kim Byeong-seok, a managing director at Hanmi Semiconductor, received the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for his contributions to achieving the world's No. 1 market share in high-precision, high-efficiency TC bonder technology. Bae Woo-hyeon, an executive vice president at Dongwoo Fine-Chem, received the Iron Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for securing glass-based ultra-fine thin-film touch sensor technology. A total of 72 people were honored, including 20 government commendations.

Four companies that have carried on and advanced their craft across generations in the foundational manufacturing sector — including Samyoung MT and HFM — were designated "Heritage Root Companies," while five others, including Hanseong Sangi, were named "Great Workplaces in the Root Industry" for their outstanding working conditions and employee welfare. The Heritage Root Company designation goes to firms that have operated for at least 20 years and completed a family business succession; a total of 81 companies have now received the designation, including this year's honorees.

A "Next-Generation Leaders Forum for the Root Industry" also took place, drawing more than 10 second-generation executives. Participants discussed management challenges following business succession, strategies for entering new markets, and ways to drive process innovation using data and AI.

On Thursday, the ministry will present designation certificates to 21 newly selected top-tier materials, parts and equipment companies. The program identifies firms with core strategic technologies and strong global growth potential; the latest additions bring the total number of designated companies to 120.

Yang Ki-wook, director general for resource security policy at the ministry, said the government would "actively support technology development, company cultivation and the strengthening of cooperative ecosystems so that the materials, parts, equipment and root industries can enhance their competitiveness and leap forward as an irreplaceable industrial powerhouse." He added that the ministry would "continuously identify second-generation executives and carefully monitor on-the-ground difficulties so they can grow even amid challenging external conditions following succession."


oskymoon@heraldcorp.com