Nongshim

History

1965–1979

On 18 September 1965, Nongshim was established under the name Lotte Food Industrial Company in Seoul, South Korea by Shin Choon-ho. Though Choon-ho was the brother of Lotte Corporation founder Shin Kyuk-ho, the two businesses were separate. When Nongshim introduced its first ramyun, Lotte Ramyun () in 1965, there were 7 other companies in the market.

As a second mover in the ramyun industry, Lotte Food Industrial Company focused on research and development. Along with South Korea's first commercialized packaged snack, Beef Ramyun () in 1970, Saeukkang () in 1971, and Nongshim Ramyun () in 1975, Nongshim achieved a 35% market share in the mid-1970s. On 6 March 1978, after a dispute with his brother, Choon-ho changed the company's name to Nongshim, meaning "farmer's heart."

1980–1989

During the 1980s, Nongshim invested highly on machinery, equipment, and systems. The Anseong factory was built in 1981 to specialize in powder soup, used to flavor the ramyun.

Many of Nongshim's famous ramyun products were introduced during the 1980s: Neoguri () in 1982, Ansungtangmyun () in 1983, Chapagetti () in 1984, and Shin Ramyun () in 1986. Cup and bowl-type instant noodles were also introduced during this period.

Nongshim's market share reached 40% in 1984, and became a leading company of the market in March 1985. With Shin Ramyun (1986), the most beloved instant noodle brand in South Korea, Nongshim reached 46.2% of the ramyun market share in 1987, 53.2% in 1988, and 58% in 1989.

1990–present

On 1 January 1991, Nongshim introduced its new corporate identity (CI): Nongshim Seed. In 1990, the company's largest factory was opened in Gumi.

The Asan factory was built in April 1993, and it specializes in potato and rice snacks. In April 1994, Nongshim introduced aseptic production system for cold noodles. In 2007, The Noksan factory was built to specialize in non-frying noodles and well-being (health) products.

During the 1990s, Nongshim focused on exporting and expanded their business in the global market. In July 1997, Nongshim began sponsoring the national Baduk (Go) Championship.

Nongshim built factories in China in the late 1990s and early 2000s: Shanghai (1996), Qingdao (1998), Shenyang (2000), a second factory at Qingdao (2002), and Yanbian (2015). In the U.S, Nongshim built a factory in Los Angeles in 2005.

All-time Executives

Chairman

• Shin Choon-ho (1992–2021)
• Shin Dong-won (2021–Present)

Executive Chairman or Chairman & CEO

• Son Wook (2008–2010)

Vice Chairman

• Shin Dong-won (1998–2021)
• Lee Sang-yun (2010–2011)
• Park Joon (2016–Present)

President & CEO

• Shin Choon-ho (1965–1992)
• Lee Sang-yun (1992–2008)
• Park Joon (2012–2016)

Advertising

Nongshim has been carrying out marketing and advertising that focuses on the characteristics of individual products rather than on the corporate brand as a whole. Company chairman Shin Chun-ho is quoted as saying "Advertisements should not be prioritized over quality products".

Operation

Affiliates

Nongshim has 10 affiliates: Nongshim Holdings, Taekyung Nongsan, Youlchon Chemistry, Mega Mart, Nongshim Communication, NDS (Nongshim Data System), Nongshim Engineering, Youlchol Foundation, Hotel Nongshim, and Nongshim Development.

Global operations

Nongshim's headquarters is located in Seoul, South Korea. Nongshim products are now exported to over 100 countries around the world. As of 2016, Nongshim has 11 manufacturing plants around the world: Korea (Anyang, Ansung, Asan, Gumi, Busan, Noksan), United States (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), China (Shanghai, Qingdao, Shenyang, Yanbian). There are 7 sales distribution offices in 6 countries outside of South Korea: the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, China and Vietnam.

Logo evolution

Nongshim Logo.svg|Korean logo, 1991–present

Products

Nongshim products include instant noodles, packaged snacks, and bottled water. There are more than 40 brands of ramyuns, produced by Nongshim, including South Korea's most popular ramyun brand, Shin Ramyun. in 2015 Nongshim introduced new noodle brands: Zha Wang () and Mat Champong (). Zha Wang is formed of a portmanteau of Jjajangmyun () and wang (), which means "King" (the company romanized 짜 as "Zha" on export product packaging, as opposed to the more standard romanization of "jja"). Mat Champong on the other hand is a portmanteau of the Korean noun mat () meaning "taste" and Champong, although export packaging for the product romanizes the name as merely "Champong" with no "mat".

They also produce other varieties of snacks including Saeukkang the first commercialized snack in South Korea and Onion Rings (), which are famous for their sliced-onion-ring shape.

Since 2012, Nongshim has been producing its own bottled water called Baeksan Mountain Water, which is slowly filtered by Baekdu Mountain volcanic rock.

References

References

1. (3 April 2021). "South Korea's late ramyeon king leaves a spicy legacy". The Straits Times.
2. "Nongshim USA :: Our Products". Nongshim.
3. "Nongshim Co Ltd (004370:Korea SE)". businessweek.wallst.com.
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9. Jo, He-rim. (28 March 2021). "Family, business community mourn late Nongshim Group chairman".
10. Kim, Jee-hee. (2021-03-28). "Shin Choon-ho, founder of ramyeon giant Nongshim, dies at 91".
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12. link. (11 January 2013)
13. "GLOBAL NONGSHIM".
14. Hwang, Joo-young. (2024-11-03). "Gumi, home to Nongshim's largest factory, rebrands itself as 'city of ramyeon'".
15. (27 November 2014). "Nongshim to boost global expansion".
16. (19 April 2016). "[神의 한 수]'아시아 바둑 올림픽' 인기 힘입어 신라면 중국 매출 급성장".
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20. (27 November 2014). "Nongshim to boost global expansion".
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22. (9 November 2015). "South Korean Food Manufacturer Nongshim Opens Bottled Water Plant In China With Targeted Sales Of 237.6 Million Dollars In 2017".
23. (16 February 2016). "Record-breaking noodles".
24. (17 March 2016). "Competition intensifies over premium instant noodles".
25. (27 April 2015). "Nongshim launches 'Jjawang' noodles".
26. (19 May 2013). "Big milestone for diminutive snack".
27. (27 June 2014). "Bottled water competition heats up".