[News Space=Reporter seungwon lee] Osstem Implant (CEO Kim Hae-seong) received the '300 Million Dollar Export Tower' award at the '61st Trade Day' ceremony held by the Korea International Trade Association on the 5th.

This year's Export Tower reflects export performance for one year from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. During this period, Osstem Implant's export performance increased by 18% compared to the same period last year, reaching KRW 347 million, more than sufficiently meeting the requirements for the USD 300 million Export Tower award.

The history of Osstem Implant's export tower awards is in line with the growth history of 'K-Implant'. Osstem Implant, which established its first overseas corporation in Taiwan in 2005, received its first export tower award (1 million dollars) in 2006. Since then, it has steadily grown into a global dental company, reaching $10 million in 2007, $30 million in 2012, $50 million in 2015, $100 million in 2018, $200 million in 2022, and $300 million this year.

Over the past 20 years, the number of overseas corporations of Osstem Implant has increased to 37 in 32 countries around the world, and the number of export countries is about 100. Including the performance of overseas corporations, the annual overseas sales in 2023 will reach 795.6 billion won (approximately 562.42 million dollars based on the exchange rate as of the 5th), and it is recognized as the world's No. 1 implant company in terms of sales volume.

With the advancement of Ostem Implant, Korea has transformed from a country that learns and imports implants to a country that teaches and exports implants.

Osstem Implant is also maintaining a direct sales method that builds systems and systems from a long-term perspective overseas. It is also firmly rooted in the local market by focusing its capabilities on clinical education for its customers, dentists. 

This involves large-scale human and material investment, but once it gets on track, the results are multiplied and it has the advantage of being able to actively respond to crisis situations. In fact, Osstem Implant has achieved an average annual export performance growth rate of 27% over the past five years, including the COVID-19 pandemic period.

An official from Osstem Implant said, “In addition to our excellent quality, we have been able to popularize implants in overseas markets and promote the excellence of ‘K-implant’ thanks to our unique sales policy, including the principle of prioritizing clinical education for dentists.” He added, “Although the global economic situation is still not good, we will work to strengthen our overseas sales infrastructure and challenge for the $400 million export tower award next year.”

Meanwhile, Ostem Implant had the double joy of having two award recipients at this year’s Trade Day ceremony. The two recipients were Kyung-sik Jeong, the head of the Production Headquarters (Gijang), and Kyung-rae Lee, the head of the America Sales Headquarters (Senior Managing Director), who received the Presidential Award and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award, respectively.

Team leader Jeong Gyeong-sik, who received the honor of the Presidential Citation, joined the company in 2005. He has participated in over 40 implant product development and improvement projects, and has made a significant contribution to establishing high-quality CNC processing technology and increasing productivity. He has made various contributions, such as leading the improvement of production efficiency of taper drills, the most commonly used in dentistry, by applying new processing methods. Furthermore, as an instructor for in-house training and work-study programs, he has been actively involved in human resource management and nurturing juniors.

Director Lee Kyung-rae was recognized for his contribution to improving implant exports as a key player in laying the foundation for Osstem Implant’s overseas business. He joined the company in 2004 as part of the Overseas Sales Division and led the establishment of the Taiwanese corporation in January 2005, the first overseas direct sales organization for Osstem Implant and the first in the domestic medical device industry. 

He localized and transplanted the clinical education system of Korean dentists and established the Taiwanese corporation by advancing a differentiated sales policy that did not neglect aftercare. After that, he traveled all over the world and led the establishment of Osstem Implant’s global sales network. Having served as the head of the European headquarters, the head of the sales headquarters of the Chinese corporation, and the head of the US corporation, this head has made a great contribution to the growth of overseas sales and is still active as a pioneer in the development of the North and South American dental markets.