
A hydraulic elevator that uses oil pressure to push up and down the cylinder. Because it can generate a great deal of power at relatively low cost, it is widely used in places where large capacity is required such as cargo or automobile. 'Donam Engineering' is the best place in Korea to produce hydraulic unit and cylinder oil cooler which are essential parts of this hydraulic elevator.
■ Written by Editorial Department

Donam Engineering (CEO Jinha Jin) located in Incheon Seo-gu is one of the best manufacturers of hydraulic elevator parts in Korea. Specialized in hydraulic elevator, it professionally develops and produces hydraulic unit, cylinder and oil cooler for 25 years, and is the result of constantly making one well.
Donam Engineering was established in May 1989 by Jinha Jin as Managing Director. At that time, he had been in a stable job for 10 years at Geumgang(now KCC), and was enthralled by the attraction of hydraulic elevators. Based on the trading business acquired during his work life, he has been interested in hydraulics machinery while importing machinery and parts. At first, the hydraulic units and cylinders which had not been localized were imported from Europe and supplied to the domestic market.
Mr. Jinha Jin first established a leasing factory with the aim of localizing hydraulic cylinders. At the beginning of 1990, the shortage of parking lot was noisy due to social problems because of the rapid increase of domestic automobile numbers. As a solution, interest in automobile elevators has been highlighted. As Donam Engineering, it is the business expense. Donam Engineering quickly localized the cylinder and supplied it at a cheaper price than imports. At that time, the factory was moved to the present factory in Daegok-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon city, and 500 hydraulic cylinders were supplied at home and abroad.
25 years later, Donam Engineering still has not lost its beginnings. We strive to develop the technology to provide the best quality and service to our customers, and we are also building a strong trust in the elevator industry by striving to improve the welfare of our employees.
Mr. Jinha Jin takes care of the employees every morning when he comes to work. "I look around the inside of the company while greeting each other with employees and check safety and staff convenience". Donam is a company that professionally produces hydraulic parts, and its raw materials are heavy and heavy. There are many safety factors in every place. However, all employees including Jin and all the staff took the safety education and removed risk factors, so that there was not a single disaster in 24 years. Also, since 2000, before the boom of the smoking cessation season, a new smoking allowance was introduced and the whole plant is being turned into a smoking cessation workplace.
Particularly, it is a task to avoid foreign substances in pipes, which is a necessary process of hydraulic cylinders. To this end, he developed a cleaning drive unit and installed a rail to completely automate all the processes, thereby reducing manpower, time, cost, and quality.
Jinha Jin has a management philosophy that the long-term service of employees is directly linked to the company's development. So, for employees who have been working for five consecutive years, they are offering a 200% bonus. It also supports education expenses for elementary, middle and high school children, regardless of the number of children. He said he plans to support some college tuition in the future. "Small and medium-sized business workers are preparing for various welfare benefits to alleviate the anxiety about old age and the future".

The hydraulic elevator parts of Donam Engineering are being delivered to major domestic elevator companies. Hyundai Elevator, Otis, ThyssenKrupp, Mitsubishi, Schindler and other hydraulic parts made by Donam Engineering. In addition, Donam Engineering's products are used for parking and freight elevators in large public buildings such as Seoul Subway, Homeplus and E-Mart.
There are 4 to 5 manufacturers of domestic hydraulic cylinders and units. Of these, Donam Engineering is the best. Jin said, "Donam Engineering's hydraulic components account for 50% of domestic market share".
However, Donam Engineering has been experiencing some difficulties in its business recently. This is because the newly revised elevator inspection standard has not been settled. "We are struggling recently due to the new inspection standards," said Jin. "But once the new inspection standards are settled, it will be revived from next year". It is also planning to export to Japan from next year. At present, the hydraulic cylinders and units of Donam are being tested in Japan.
Also, it is nice for Donam Engineering that demand for home elevators is increasing. The home lifts for the elderly and the disabled are mostly hydraulic types. He explained that the hydraulic system is easy to install and low cost, so it has a competitive edge in elevators.
On the other hand, Donam has also attracted the attention of visitors by introducing a control panel equipped with hydraulic cylinders and units that are widely used in Europe at the Korea International Elevator Expo.

Mr. Jinha Jin of Donam Engineering is a very cautious person. Since its inception, he has been working for only elevator so far and he has been running without any hesitation to be the best in the field. From 2013, he has been researching and developing the control panel with safety as the top priority based on the experience and the skill of the elevator during that time. As a result, UCMP(Unintended Car Moverment Protection) was first introduced in Korea.
It is not just about elevator technology. Jin realized the necessity of computerization of business and in 2001 developed business computer program in-house. He studied computer programming with self-study, and completed a computer system unique to Donam Engineering. This can include sales and customer management, production instructions, inventory management, sales management, funding and cost analysis.
Using this data, Donam Engineering can obtain accurate data about their products installed in the whole country on the basis of the database of 12,000 products manufactured and shipped since 2001. This allows the maintenance of the elevator to be convenient for employees and customers, and saves considerable time and expense.
With the suggestion of Mr. Jin, they have been able to achieve three results: self-production of welding automation machine according to the actual situation of the company, improvement of uniformity of product productivity and quality, and employees work intensity reduction.
In aspect of Jinha Jin of Donam Engineering person is more important than the company's development and revival. He thinks the development of the company is meaningless without faith in people. Jin's philosophy is that it is possible to revive the company by giving priority to people. Therefore, the employees of Donam Engineering work for each other like a single family. Jin has also managed the company with top priority for the safety of its employees. The family-like company, Donam Engineering is looking at the 25th anniversary of its founding. The management of a company that does not deviate from the level of consistency always will be the truth that will not change even if the age changes. Donam Engineering, the most powerful hydraulic engineer, has been sweating all the staff, including Jin, for the luxury elevator.
Source: El-Safe <http://news.yeogie.com/entry/85322?locPos=25N&>