About Kumho Electric, Inc.
Kumho Electric, Inc., a global leader in lighting technology, is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, where its primary research, engineering and corporate offices are located. Founded in 1935, it now has manufacturing plants throughout Asia.
Known for its technical innovation, Kumho has pioneered energy-efficient lighting products that set the standard for quality and reliability.
In 2007, Kumho Electric established a US distribution center in California to enable it to market lighting products under its own brand name after years of providing private label products to original equipment manufacturers in the US.
With a long and proud history of achievements ranging from home applications, to commercial lighting, to those added to original equipment in industries like automotive, computing and home entertainment, Kumho is known for environmentally conscious, state-of-the-art products, provided at competitive prices.
Key Milestones
- 2000-2007-– Kumho is awarded numerous prizes and certifications, including Energy Winner 2008; Korean Standard-Quality Excellence Index; 2006 Export Achievement Award; WELL-BEING certification; Korean Standards Grand Prize; Energy Winner 2006 and Stone Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit (for detail, check Prizes and Awards)
- Apr. 2005 Kumho launches high energy savings product-UX FPL 32W lamp
- Apr. 2005 Kumho establishes Kumho Electric, Ltd. (Sangsuk Gangso Province, China)
- Apr. 2005 Kumho acquires ISO 14001 environmental management certification
- Nov. 2005 Kumho increases its capital to 30 billion
- Feb. 2005 Kumho develops 2m CCFL, first in the world in length
- Nov. 2004 Kumho signs an agreement with Harvatek Corporation for exclusive right to supply and distribute LED
- Oct. 2002 Kumho puts into operation Osan Factory (Korea?)
- Jan. 2002 Kumho establishes Shanghai Kumho Lighting, Ltd.
- Nov. 2000 Kumho exports manufacturing facility of the fluorescent lamp to Myanmar
- Oct. 2000 Kumho celebrates completion of mass production for CCFL line
1990’s
- 1990-1999 – Numerous prizes and certifications awarded to Kumho Electric, including Bronze Prize for electrodeless fluorescent lamp at Patented Technology Exposition; Best Customer Satisfaction for Charmlight Gold; certification of High-efficiency Energy products;
- Sept. 1999 Kumho introduces production equipment for CCFL from CKD Co. in Japan
- Mar. 1997 Kumho acquires ISO 9001 certification and JIS approval
- Oct. 1996 Kumho begins exporting compact fluorescent manufacturing equipment
- Dec. 1994 Kumho acquires ISO 9002 certification for the lighting division
- Sept. 1993 Kumho moves to a new head office building in Mapo-Gu, Seoul
- Feb. 1993 Kumho installs automated special lamp (CD) production line
- Dec. 1992 Kumho begins construction of Kwangju Factory (Factory #3)
1980’s
- May 1989 Kumho obtains Quality Mark for all lighting products
- July 1988 Kumdong Lamp, Co. established at Jangsung through joint venture with Harrison Electric, Ltd.
- Sept. 1987 Kumdong Lighting, Co. established at Kwangju through joint venture with Toshiba Co.
1970’s
- June. 1979 Kumho installs automated equipment for mnufacturing linear and circular fluorescent lamps
- Feb. 1978 Mapo changes its name to Kumho Electric, Inc.
- Apr. 1974 Mapo completes the construction of Suwon Factory (Electric division moves to Suwon)
- Sept. 1973 Mapo goes public on the Korea stock market with capital 300 million won
1960’s and Beyond
- Oct. 1969 Mapo starts producing gas meters in technical collaboration with Oriental Instrument Co., Ltd. of Japan
- Apr. 1968 Mapo introduces automated manufacturing equipment for fluorescent lamps
- May. 1967 Daehan changes its name to Mapo Industrial Co., Inc.
- Nov. 1966 Daehan starts producing the florescent lamps in technical collaboration with Toshiba Co.
- Nov. 1963 Daehan obtains KS(C) No. 1 with the incandescent lamp
- May 1945 Chungyup changes its name to Daehan Metal Instruments, Ltd.
- May 1935 Chungyup Manufacturing Co. is founded in Yongsan-Gu, Seoul. It begins to produce water meters.