Gala opening for new Kongsberg Maritime Korea headquarters

Brand new premises to ensure continued customer satisfaction in key market

Ribbon cutting ceremony.

Kongsberg Maritime Korea (KMK), a wholly owned subsidiary of leading international marine electronics manufacturer Kongsberg Maritime has officially opened the doors of its purpose built new headquarters in Jungkwan, northeast of Busan, South Korea.

Unveiling of the plaque. From left: The Mayor of Busan Nam-Sik Hur, President of KM Torfinn Kildal, President of KMK, Steinar Gran and Norway's Ambassador to Korea Didrik Tønseth.

The official opening ceremony took place on 5th December 2007 and was attended by customers and Kongsberg Maritime management in addition to a number of local dignitaries. Starting out with a reception, the building was then officially opened by President of KMK, Mr. Steinar Gran. Speeches by prominent guests followed, such as Norway’s Ambassador to Korea, Mr. Didrik Tønseth and the Mayor of Busan, Mr. Nam-Sik Hur.

"I trust that the new start for Konsberg Maritime, a company of world-class competitiveness will give the city another driving force for the long-term development of Busan and re-organisation for the industrial structure," said Mr. Nam-Sik Hur.

Traditional Korean fan dancers at the opening banquet..

The visitors were taken on a tour of the office and factory spaces, before attending an evening banquet celebrating the new building, and the potential and good will it brings to KMK.

The new, 5-storey building is fully owned by KMK and was commissioned and designed to fit the expanding needs of the company. The architect has focused on the working environment and the need for effective production and communication with key aspects being a state-of-the-art air control system and a window desk arrangement for the majority of employees.

KMK plays a very important role as a key supplier of navigation and automation solutions in Korea. The company has experienced dramatic increase in business in the past few years so larger and more sophisticated office, warehouse, assembly, testing and training space was required to ensure that the requirements of the growing Korean shipbuilding industry are catered for now, and in the future.

"We need to carry out more work locally in order to match Korean shipyards' ever improving productivity and to reduce lead times from contract to delivery," said Steinar Gran, President, KMK. "The new premises in Jungkwan also offer improved offices, training facilities and access to recreation areas that are free from downtown pollution."

With the 'Groundbreaking Ceremony' for the new building taking place on 24th April 2007 and employees moving in during November, KMK's new headquarters where built from the foundations up in just 6.5 months, which is a testament to the company’s dedication to the Korean shipbuilding industry and the positive relationship that has been forged with the Construction Company and the City of Busan.

"It's exciting to see the completion and the official opening of the new KMK headquarters," comments Torfinn Kildal, President & CEO, Kongsberg Maritime. "This area is the most important and advanced shipbuilding area in the world and we are all impressed by the competence and dedication of the Korean Marine and Shipbuilding Industry. Kongsberg has been part of this industry since 1981, which is something we are very proud of."

Kongsberg Maritime Korea purpose built new Korean headquarters in Busan.