“Ice Even Tastier” Smart Ice Maker… First Domestic Introduction of an Unmanned System
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The Icevan is a compact, lightweight smart ice maker equipped with communication features, making it ideal for unmanned devices. The Icevan is also easy to maintain hygienically and boasts excellent ice-making capabilities. /Provided by Korea Nakajo
Founded in 1999 to produce modules for ice makers, Korea Nakajo specializes in manufacturing ice makers that even make the ice taste good. This eco-friendly enterprise is committed to carbon neutrality and environmental protection in response to climate change. In 2019, it led a new era in the domestic ice maker market by being the first to produce and sell a sanitary and convenient dispenser-type ice maker.
Korea Nakajo’s dispenser-type Icevan is a smart ice maker that incorporates advanced technology. Designed to fit into small spaces such as tiny cafes and unmanned cafes, it is compact and lightweight. The machine features a one-touch extraction method and an automatic cleaning function, ensuring thorough cleaning even in the hard-to-reach areas of the water supply line. It was the first in Korea to introduce an unmanned system that can communicate with other devices like coffee machines. This innovation has boosted sales in 24-hour unmanned stores using kiosks and robots. The machines have also been highly praised in Europe, where there has been an increased focus on hygiene management post-COVID-19. Currently, Icevan ice makers are supplied to well-known coffee brands like Nescafe and Starbucks, with demand now expanding into the UK, Northern Europe, and Eastern Europe from previously stagnant markets. As of March this year, the backlog of overseas orders was $1.5 million, expected to reach $3 million by year-end. In addition, the Icevan-S, a snowflake shaved ice machine, is being actively sold both domestically and internationally.
Jong Mun Choi, CEO of Korea Nakajo (center), with Sung Koo Park, Assistant Manager (left), and Jin Hyung Kim, Team Leader of IBK Corporate Bank M&A Business Team.
Meanwhile, CEO Jong Mun Choi took over Korea Nakajo in 2022 following a proposal from the M&A Business Team of IBK Corporate Bank. Since the acquisition, revenue has shown steady growth: from approximately 7.6 billion KRW in 2021 to 9.1 billion KRW in 2022, and 13 billion KRW in 2023. Notably, just two years after the acquisition, the sales figures were 9 billion KRW domestically and 4 billion KRW internationally. CEO Choi has expressed his ambition to expand the previously Asia and Europe-focused overseas sales division into North America, aiming for a strategic entry into the US market this year. He plans to make Korea Nakajo a highly regarded company through new product launches, expansion of production facilities, and delivery of high-quality services.
by THE CHOSUN Daily
https://www.chosun.com/special/special_section/2024/03/18/LPONJ5D43ZGNPENNMGKCJORMEI/