Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com From advanced lighting technology to integrated communication systems, devices used in the marine industry are some of the most detail-intensive to create, as they are designed to endure harsh conditions. It takes an accomplished veteran company to reliably provide such products. Evolving from humble beginnings fostered in one of South Korea’s earliest shipyards, Daeyang Electric began manufacturing switchboards and lighting fixtures in 1977. Since then, the family-owned company has grown in expertise, focusing on its marine lighting, system integration and sensor divisions. Today, Daeyang is considered the marine lighting champion in South Korea and ranks second globally. Maximising its unrivalled industry know-how with the help of 370 highly skilled employees, Daeyang offers cutting-edge power systems, marine sensors, switchboards and communication systems used by the South Korean navy and international clients, along with lighting products such as navigational light systems, explosion-proof lights, helideck light systems, and more. The company also provides underwater robot systems, having pioneered an underwater remote-operated vehicle reaching a depth of 6,000 metres contracted by the South Korean government. We have to keep innovating to stay competitive, so R&D is our first priority Seo Young-woo, CEO Leveraging its expertise in marine sensors for more than three decades, Daeyang sees its pressure sensor systems becoming its most promising segment for the future, as these are critical components used in the safety features of automobiles. In line with its vision to become the top marine lighting player in the world, Daeyang generously invests 8 per cent of its revenue on its research and development (R&D) department, which consists of 80 top-tier research engineers. “We, as a company of renowned engineers, feel indebted to our society to do our best,” says Seo Young-woo, CEO. “We have to keep innovating to stay competitive, so R&D is our first priority.” Eyeing more developments in its joint ventures in Asia, Daeyang invites partnerships with engineers throughout the region. While contributing to the current booming South Korean economy through its shipbuilding industry stronghold, Daeyang seeks to expand into mainland China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and India. www.daeyang.co.kr