#Brief History of HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing
HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing (website) is a manufacturing subsidiary of HANKOOK Cosmetics (한국화장품) which was established by two co-founders Kim Nam-Yong and Im Gwang-Jeong in 1962.
The former chairman Im Gwang-Jeong, from Gaeseong in North Korea, used to work for a pharmaceutical company as a salesperson and visited Japan several times.
As he realized that cosmetics industry could grow in Korea, he offered his close friend Kim Nam-Yong who was running a distillery and a rice mill to start a cosmetics business.
Since then they have been running its company HANKOOK Cosmetics as one of the biggest cosmetics company in Korea and they also established another big company HANBUL Cosmetics (running It's Skin) in 1989 as well.
Although those 2 have passed away already, Kim Nam-Yong and Im Gwang-Jeong then had become a family-in-law and their descendants still run the business together.
Along with Amorepacific, HANKOOK Cosmetics had been one of the 2 biggest cosmetics company in Korea with its mega-bestselling brands JUTANHAK(쥬단학).
However, after the huge change on Korean beauty industry done by Missha's extraordinary growth with its "Road-Shop Brand" business model, HANKOOK Cosmetics experienced such a tough time in its business as they had kept their business model such as direct sales or sales through cosmetics retailers.
"In the time, beauty industry was changing dramatically. Our competitors had divided their business unit by function like manufacturing, marketing, or retailing. However, HANKOOK cosmetics was just doing its business as usual: direct sales and prestige products at higher prices. (Lee Yong-Jun, CEO of HANKOOK Cosmetics)".
HANKOOK Cosmetics decided to establish a manufacturing business so that it can solely run its own business not only with HANKOOK's existing brands but with other brands.
Now HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing produces for many different brands including its own brand The Saem and other brands such as AHC, ETUDE HOUSE, CLIO, April Skin, etc.
As HANKOOK Cosmetics has always focused on cosmetics, they have improved their manufacturing quality and technology for over 60 years.
They have featured CGMP and ISO-certified manufacturing facilities and have several technology license contracts with beauty giants such as Loreal (1980), Lancome (1981), and Intercos (1993).
HANKOOK Cosmetics is the company that launched Sunscreen functional cosmetics in Korea and it has contributed all Korean beauty & cosmetics industry to improve its standard quality as well.
As mentioned earlier, HANKOOK Cosmetics run its own brands such as the SAEM, Jutanhak, etc. but they do not manufacture only for their brands but they manufacture for many other brands (Not like COSVISION manufacturing only for Amorepacific brands).
Lee Yong-Jun, current CEO of HANKOOK Cosmetics and the grand son of its two founders, said that they were going to expand the HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing's business area a lot further later on.
"When we ran only for our brands, there were so many excellent products that were silently gone without proper marketing and retail supports. Now, with our ODM business, we can work with many other brands and provide a lot more products to customers, which help our business scale and help us learn the market and industry better."
HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing recorded US$ 60 million sales in 2017 and they see over US$ 100 million sales in 2018 and close to US$ 200 million in 2020.
# Products Manufactured by HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing
1. CLIO - Kill Cover Conceal Cushion
CLIO's recent successes are mostly driven by this Kill Cover Conceal Cushion manufactured by HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing.
Its high coverage yet smoothly applied texture prove how excellent HANKOOK can make a cushion foundation product.
2. APRIL SKIN - Magic Snow Cushion
Magic Snow Cushion produced by HANKOOK also has helped APRIL SKIN become a popular cosmetics brand in the globe.
HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing participated in production of APRIL SKIN's earlier products and now they produce many products of APRIL SKIN's second brand "MEDI CUBE" as well.
3. KLAVUU - Urban Pearlsation High Coverage Tension Cushion
"Pearl-based cosmetics brand KLAVUU also launched a cushion foundation with HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing and it is now very popular among those TV shopping channels in Korea with its pet name "Actress's Cushion".
Pearlsation Tension Cushion delivers high coverage yet smooth texture that helps create glowing skin texture.
4. AHC - Natural Plus Sunstick
As the first company manufacturing Sunscreen functional product, one of the HANKOOK's expertise is UV protector.
AHC's sunstick was such a huge hit in 2017 in Korea and its manufacturer HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing showed its ability to make such an excellent quality sunscreen.
5. the SAEM - Urban Eco Harakeke Cream
the SAEM is a brand run by HANKOOK Cosmetics and it HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing produces many of the brand's products.
The cream is hypoallergenic ingredient Harakeke extract based and it moisturizes skin fully with its quite lightweight texture.
6. ETUDE HOUES - Active Proof Cool Down Soothing Gel
ETUDE HOUSE's 2018 summer collection Active Proof's soothing gel was produced by HANKOOK Cosmetics Manufacturing.
This cooling soothing gel has a roller applicator to apply easily and clearly with its naturally derived cooling ingredients such as Aloe, Broccoli, Tangerine, Green Tea, etc.
It seems quite funny that Amorepacific and HANKOOK used to be the biggest competitors each other and now they can collaborate..As HANKOOK Cosmetics has run its busienss over 60 years, it is very important for Korean beauty industry to keep and share their experiences, skills, and abilities.
Just like the CEO said, I hope that HANKOOK can keep producing many products for many brands and improving their technologies continuously so that the whole Korean beauty industry also could improve better later on.