Nongshim has officially launched its export-only factory in Busan, accelerating its strategy to penetrate global markets. The new facility aims to expand export volumes by producing 500 million noodle packages annually and flexibly responding to varying product and packaging demands across different countries.
Located near the existing Nongshim factory in the Naksan National Industrial Complex in Gangseo-gu, Busan, the new export-only factory is a state-of-the-art production base built with an investment of 204.3 billion won. It began full operations on October 29 and features three production lines, including two for bag noodles and one for cup noodles, with plans to expand to a maximum of eight lines.
During a visit to the factory on November 5, the interior buzzed with activity as advanced automated equipment operated continuously. The process of transforming the dough into thin noodles, followed by shaping, steaming, frying, and cooling, flowed smoothly. The bag noodle production speed at the Naksan factory is 600 packages per minute, which is 20% faster than the high-speed line at the Gumi factory. The cup noodle line produces 500 packages per minute.
The factory's key competitive advantage lies in its ability to simultaneously increase production capacity and facilitate quick product changeovers. When switching between export countries or products, the factory has reduced the time required for changing recipes, packaging, labeling, and boxes from 120 minutes to just 30 minutes. Nongshim reports that this reduction has improved production efficiency by 17.6%.
This efficiency stems from meticulous process design. The factory incorporates reserve tanks for pre-mixed ingredients and a cleaning system that allows preparation for the next production run while current products are being made. Servo motors minimize manual adjustments, and ample space accommodates various packaging specifications.
Jeon Yun-yeol, the Naksan factory manager, stated, "We have equipped the facility to prepare for the next product change while producing, considering time reduction from the design stage."
Artificial intelligence (AI) and smart factory technologies are integrated throughout the production site. An AI inspection system detects tiny holes in packaging, foreign substances, and printing errors, filtering out defective products. A predictive maintenance system analyzes vibration and current data to alert operators to potential malfunctions, preventing unexpected downtime. A magnetic transfer system maintains product alignment during high-speed production, while autonomous robots supply packaging materials.
The new factory is optimally located about 4 kilometers from Busan New Port, facilitating overseas exports via maritime transport. Nongshim plans to supply primarily local factory products to the U.S. and China, while focusing on exports from the Busan and Naksan factories to Japan, Europe, Central and South America, and the Middle East. This strategy aims to efficiently consolidate and respond to diverse demands from multiple countries. The company also sees potential for reduced transportation times and logistics costs through the development of Arctic shipping routes, enhancing export competitiveness.
With the addition of the Naksan factory's 500 million annual export capacity to the existing 700 million from the Busan and Gumi factories, Nongshim's total export supply capability has increased to 1.2 billion packages annually. Combined with production capabilities from local factories in the U.S. and China, Nongshim's overall global production capacity has expanded to a maximum of 6.2 billion packages.
This expanded production base is expected to support the introduction of new products and diversification of overseas distribution networks. Nongshim plans to broaden its global market presence with products like the original Shin Ramyeon, Tumtang, and Rose stir-fried noodles, while accelerating the establishment of its products in major local retail stores and expanding into online and quick commerce. A new stir-fried noodle product launch is anticipated as early as the first quarter of next year. The company aims to increase its overseas sales proportion from 42.2% in the first half of this year to 61% by 2030.
Ji Song-ha, head of Nongshim's global marketing division, remarked, "If the first purchase is driven by the influence of K-culture, subsequent purchases are based on taste and quality. More consumers are buying not just because it's Korean food, but because it's delicious ramen, and we expect continuous growth in global sales as we prepare for that."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.