Interview with Mr J D Bae
Mr J D Bae
President & CEO
HHH Zippers
President & CEO
HHH Zippers
HHH Group represents a private limited company in the Republic of Korea, which develops and manufactures zipper products for sale in domestic and global market with its own technologies for zipper products, raw materials and components of zipper products.
Through its manufacturing and exporting group companies namely Pacific Zipper Co Ltd, HHH Industry Ltd (Korea), Pacific Zipper Bangladesh Ltd, HHH Accessories India Ltd, HHH Vietnam Co Ltd, HHH Group has acquired global recognition as one of the market leaders in the world zipper industry and third largest zipper makers in Korea.
Mr J D Bae is the President and CEO of HHH Group. He was working as an Engineer with LG until the year 1980, when the Korean Apparel & Garment industry was on high development and 45 percent of foreign brand zippers were imported in Korea. Mr Bae, with a view to solve his motherland’s dependency on foreign zippers, caught the right pulse of market and took the prudent step of acquiring a zipper manufacturing factory from his father’s friend. And by 1986, Mr Bae was successful to launch Korea’s own brand HHH earning a rave review from Korean Government for achieving one million dollars exports.
Mr Bae’s rich experience and business skills accrued since 27 years has made him a successful and vigilant leader, who firmly believes in growth forever.
Face2Face interviewed Mr J D Bae for his inputs on worldwide trims industry and current trends in its consumer market.
Running down the memory lane, can you list the major milestones zipping up success with your company’s history?
There are many, sharing some of them with you-
1980— The Korean apparel industry was at the beginning stage of being a global player in the world clothing market. Imported foreign brand zippers shared over 45% in Korean zipper market. Being inspired to change the market, we created HHH Zipper.
1986—In the effort to continue improvement of HHH Zipper, we purchased the zipper division of PACIFIC CHEMICAL GROUP, consequently, the Company increased its turnover and reached the position of third largest zipper maker in Korea. HHH was launched for domestic market as well.
1990—HHH received the ‘Q’ mark of excellence by the Korean Government and HHH launched FIW-Project (Factory in the World).
1992~1995—At HHH, we solely invested in its offshore production unit in Bangladesh and developed the high quality metal H-Zip (YG Zipper), specially used for Jeans and heavy garments. Also, HHH was awarded the Export Award from Korean Government.
1997~2000—The Company entered Indian Territory by establishing a Liaison office in Bangalore. These days, we also expanded capacity of our Bangladesh factory and acquired the ISO-9001 certificate along with the pride of being the first Korean zipper maker to achieve this. Also, acquired the OEKO TEX 100 Class 1 Certificate from Testex, Switzerland.
2001~2004 – HHH implemented the environment friendly technology for the production process and the major achievement of getting global buyer nominations like Wal-mart, Target, C&A, Roots, K-mart, H&M, Carrefour, etc.
2006- HHH invested USD 4 million in Vietnam to set up its one more off shore units and one of the dream ventures to set up fully automatic machines.
2007—HHH was voted 2007’s Korean Leading Company by Seoul Economic Daily.
What makes HHH Group boast of being ‘Like no other in Millennium’ for the humble products – Zippers?
Quality and Service!
Please apprise us with the current trends in consumer market of your products?
Huge demand, highly competitive, wide market, demand for new designs on pullers, demand for heavy duty zippers for long durability-as different washing methods are demanded by buyers especially, in denims.
What helps you head way in cut throat competition from quality maker Brands as well as low cost offering localities?
Building cordial relationship with buyers and standing beside for their needs, and swift action on any issues, timely delivery, and highly competitive prices with high quality zipper, almost equivalent to the quality brand maker.
In your message on your company’s website, you have quoted –‘As a dynamic industrial identity, HHH Zipper is eager to adventure unexplored field’. Does this point out your future ventures into diversified fields? If yes, which all fields are likely to be included in it?
No, not actually !
You see, presently, we have factories in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and two plants in Korea, and marketing offices in India and Hong Kong as well. If possible, we would like to invest for several more factories near the garment making countries, especially in Asia, to meet requirement of our clients. Above all, our clients from any country, require best delivery.
How does HHH Zippers keep itself as an environment friendly entity?
Well, during thorough process, we keep a check for this. And all our zipper pullers are non- toxic painted, AZO free dyeing, Nickel free plated, Non ferrous sliders.
We have also been accredited ISO 9001, OEKO TEX Class 1 certificate from TESTEX, Zurich, to ensure the EU standards tested in the harmful substance.
Published on: 24/03/2008
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.