The 2024 Global Volunteer Week, POSCO’s special volunteer service event, was held from May 23 to 31. More than 20,000 POSCO employees in Korea and other countries participated in large-scale volunteer work to practice sharing. POSCO Newsroom has taken vivid photos of the volunteer activities carried out by overseas subsidiary employees worldwide. Let’s meet them!

▲ The center director of POSCO-TNPC and eight employees made and delivered a donation set (including a 2-month supply of diapers) to support low-income families such as single mothers and disabled children at the Women’s Support Center in Bursa. It was meaningful in that the costs of the donated sets were funded by savings in electricity bills and costs associated with replacing the company’s LEDs and purchasing waste paper collection boxes.

▲ POSCO-ASSAN TST employees visited a kindergarten near its head office, created a new playground using waste wood, and performed environmental improvement by repainting old play equipment.

▲ POSCO-PWPC visited a nearby organization for disabled children and held an event to promote Korean culture through Korean language classes. The 10 participating employees communicated with the children by teaching them simple Korean greetings and writing their names in Korean.

▲ Four POSCO-Brazil employees conducted environmental cleanup activities at Bosque de Barra Park in downtown Rio de Janeiro on May 28.

▲ POSCO-Mexico employees volunteered to make bread at the Hope Center in downtown Altamira with officials from the Tamaulipas State Department of Welfare. This volunteer activity was especially meaningful in that employees and their families participated.

▲ Employees of four POSCO-MPPC factories carried out various volunteer activities for nine days. Employees of Factory 1 visited a local daycare center, painted classroom walls and floors, and cleaned vegetables and fruits to be delivered to nearby neighbors in need at a food bank. Employees of Factory 2 visited the government agency DIF and donated walkers, canes, and computers. They also visited a public kindergarten and donated playground equipment and computers. Employees of Factory 3 painted a government-supported soup kitchen, and those of Factory 4 visited a local orphanage and donated chairs.

▲ POSCO-MVWPC’s 42 employees visited a local school to paint the exterior walls of the school buildings and replace floor tiles, creating comfortable areas throughout the school to encourage students’ learning activities.

▲ All 52 employees of the AAPC Factory in the United States collected waste around each business site as part of their environmental cleanup activities.

▲ POSCO-America’s nine employees visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery to pay their respects and collected trash around the tombstone.

▲ POSCO-Australia employees held a joint event with KCCA, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and discussed plans for charity activities, and 55 members and their families participated in a charity walking competition to support children with neuroblastoma and completed a 5-kilometer walking course.

▲ POSCO-Western Australia employees conducted environmental cleanup by collecting trash around the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia and cleaned pollutants from the monument.

▲ Thirty-five members of the Mexican Trading Corporation’s volunteer group visited a child and youth protection center in Mexico City, donated various items, and interacted with the children by playing piñata, a traditional Mexican game. (Right) Eight members of the POSCO International Mexico Motor Core Corporation visited a nearby elementary school, presented a first aid kit, cleaning supplies, and school supply sets, and held a tree planting ceremony.

▲ (Left) Nine members of a volunteer group at POSCO International Brazil’s Sao Paulo office donated relief goods for recovery from a flood to victims of heavy rain in Ihu Grande do Sul, Brazil. (Right) Eleven members of the POSCO International BA branch’s volunteer group donated daily necessities and served dinner to low-income and disabled families in a slum in Buenos Aires.

▲ (Left) Eight members of the Bogota branch visited the Red Cross in Bogota and practiced love for their neighbors by donating blood. (Right) Five members of the Panama branch’s volunteer group visited the Panama Canal Miraflores Visitor Center to collect trash and carry out environmental cleanup activities.

▲ Volunteer groups at the German and Italian trading corporations visited a park near the head office and carried out environmental cleanup activities.

▲One hundred and nineteen members of the Uzbek Cotton Corporation’s volunteer group carried out environmental cleaning activities inside and outside the corporation’s factory and around the Fergana region.

▲ (Left) Five members of the Dammam branch’s volunteer group visited nearby Al Khor Beach and carried out environmental cleanup activities on the shore by collecting trash discarded by tourists. (Right) Six members of the Cairo branch’s volunteer group planted 20 lemon trees and 20 pomegranate trees around El Horreya Women’s Hospital.

▲ Eight members of the Johannesburg branch’s volunteer group carried out environmental cleanup activities by picking up trash around the branch office and removing fallen leaves that had been neglected for a long time.

▲ Eleven members of the Tokyo head office’s volunteer group planted flowers in flower beds at nearby Tsukiji River Ginza Park, cleaned up the area around the park, visited a senior center to clean balconies and windows on each floor and organized the garden.

▲ Members of the Osaka branch’s volunteer group visited a nearby orphanage and provided necessary items such as strollers, car seats, and rice and served meals to the homeless in the park.

▲ (Left) Thirteen members of the Nagoya branch’s volunteer group carried out environmental cleanup activities in the Nagoya Castle area. (Right) Twenty-six members of the Beijing branch’s volunteer group visited a nearby senior welfare center to donate necessary items, make meat dumplings, and serve a warm dinner to local seniors living alone.

▲ (Left) Five members of the Qingdao branch’s volunteer group visited a nearby cherry farm, helped with the harvest, purchased cherries produced by the farm, and donated them to a local nursing home. (Right) Six members of the Wuhan branch’s volunteer group visited a childcare facility and presented daily necessities and study materials to the children.

▲ (Left) POSCO-CORE’s volunteer group visited the Yanzi Lake’s Ecological Park near the company and carried out environmental cleanup activities. (Right) Forty-five members of PT. BIA’s volunteer group collected trash around the residences of Papua Palm Farm employees and maintained drainage channels.

▲ (Left) Eleven members of the Labor-Management Council-PT. BIA corporation’s volunteer group donated children’s art supplies to a kindergarten near the company. (Right) Five members of PT. KPE’s volunteer group delivered donations needed to cook lunch boxes to Sewan Village in Indonesia and then participated in cooking.

▲(Left) Twelve members of the Indonesia E&P Corporation’s volunteer group visited a major park in Jakarta and carried out environmental cleanup activities, collecting various types of trash. (Right) Twenty members of the MPCC volunteer group of the Myanmar PRC Corporation and hotel corporation donated 35 sacks of rice and towels for two months to Agape Orphanage Center and carried out residential environment improvement activities by replacing old roofs.

▲(Left) One hundred and twenty-nine members of the Gas Field Operations Office’s volunteer group visited the Yangon Education Center for the Blind and donated braille printing paper, shampoo, toothpaste, and various snacks. (Right) Thirteen members of the Singapore Trading Corporation’s volunteer group carried out volunteer work at the Lions Befrienders Senior Welfare Center by packing and donating goodie bags containing daily necessities such as ramen, canned food, biscuits, and toiletries.

▲(Left) Ten members of the Indian Motor Core corporation’s volunteer group provided snacks and school supplies to boarding schools for children from single-parent and low-income families. Twelve members of the Manila branch’s volunteer group carried out environmental cleanup activities at Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach. (Right) Seven members of the Sydney branch’s volunteer group participated in activities to remove parasitic trees and preserve native trees to protect the forest at the Field of Mars Reserve in Sydney.

Although the regions, environments, and languages ​​are different,
the hearts of POSCO Group executives and employees have become one through ‘sharing.’
POSCO Group’s volunteer activities for coexistence with the local community will continue in the future.
We ask for your interest and support!

Today, the POSCO Newsroom tells a touching story of a very special frame of Korean War veterans presented to their families in commemoration of the veterans at POSCO-America.

Chris Truelove accidentally found a Greybeards magazine that delivers news about Korean War veterans while looking for the things his father left because he missed his father who passed away in December 2019.

The magazine contained an article stating that a Korean company called POSCO visited the graves of Korean War veterans and produced and delivered appreciation plaques to the bereaved families. Upon reading this article, Mr. Truelove was able to find more information by using an internet search to learn more about POSCO, which said that POSCO-America located in Georgia, has been steadily honoring and thanking Korean War veterans for their noble sacrifice since 2019. Mr. Truelove immediately called POSCO to thank them.

During the phone call, he blamed himself, saying, “I knew that my father was a Korean War veteran, but I think I was too indifferent about that fact.” Mr. Truelove continued to talk in a tearful voice, expressed regret, and said, “I think my father would have loved it if he had received POSCO’s appreciation plaque when he was alive.” Upon hearing his heartbreaking story, POSCO-America came up with a plan to make a special frame that is the only one in the world, featuring the Korean War veteran’s life.

In the end, POSCO-America received a photo of the father from Mr. Truelove, made a frame, and delivered a very special gift to him. Mr. Truelove received the frame and responded, “I am very grateful for this glorious gift.”

Mr. Truelove suggested that he would like to present this meaningful gift to other veterans living in the same area and POSCO-America was moved by Mr. Truelove’s great heart to deliver to others the joy his father could not have felt during his lifetime, POSCO-America took pictures of veterans in the area where he lives and donated a frame.

The Korean War Veterans Association, which is located near Mr. Truelove’s residence, had not been able to hold a meeting since the association’s president passed away a few years ago. Thanks to the special time prepared by POSCO, they spent time looking at each other and happily sharing their updates for the first time in a long time. POSCO also gave a frame of the president’s photo in his lifetime and the wife of the president, who missed her deceased husband cried as she remembered the day she took a picture of her husband smiling brightly in the frame.

POSCO-America selected 100 Korean War veterans, mainly from Georgia, Alabama, Washington D.C., and New York, where their offices are located, and produced additional frames. Most of them were veterans over the age of ninety, so there were many difficulties in delivering the frames but POSCO-America continued the precious meeting by visiting each veteran in person and taking pictures one by one.

Salvatore Scarlato, president of the Korean War Veterans Association in New York, was very impressed that POSCO, a Korean company, promoted this special meeting to commemorate them for their hard work even after 72 years of the Korean War. “The U.S. fought a total of 12 wars, and 8 of them have served for other countries, but Korea is the only country still expressing gratitude,” he praised.

In another area, Alabama, unfortunate news was delivered that Carl Cooper, a 101 years old reserve colonel, passed away two weeks before the donation ceremony while the frame was being made. The news was heard through Carl Cooper’s nephew, Danny Cooper, “My uncle had high expectations for the donation ceremony to the extent that he put on his uniform again and took a picture when he heard that the frame will be made to remember him,” he said, sharing his sadness. Danny Cooper, who received the frame on behalf of his uncle, expressed his gratitude to POSCO, saying that he would like to include photos and information related to the donation ceremony in his uncle’s autobiography.

A meaningful time was also prepared for the veterans at the Fisher House (located in Augusta, GA), which has a close relationship with POSCO-America. In 2020, during the early stages of the spread of COVID-19, POSCO-America tried to hold a donation ceremony at the Veterans Affair Medical Center but encountered difficulties because visits were prohibited. To solve this problem, POSCO-America prepared a video visit system and held a non-face-to-face donation ceremony, and until now, it is still being used as a useful link for family members who have not been able to keep their deathbed due to the prohibition of visits at the Veterans Affair Medical Center.

In addition, after POSCO-America contacted ‘Burley Smith’ and ‘Merl Smith’, who were the only surviving crew members of the ‘SS Meredith Victory’ of the Heungnam evacuation, POSCO-America could meet Burley Smith and his wife Barbara Hacker and heard in detail the miraculous operation they carried out for the refugees after overcoming the harsh cold at the time.

Mr. Smith said, “We were able to successfully complete the operation thanks to the Koreans who did not lose hope and kept order calmly hope in the tragic Korean War.” He continued, “It was a pleasant time for me to continue my precious relationship with Korea through this meeting with POSCO.”

The touching journey that POSCO-America began with a man’s phone call has made it possible to establish a strong bond with the veterans and their bereaved families. POSCO hopes that the picture frame of the veterans will be remembered for a lifetime as an unforgettable memory for the family who will miss them.

Last month, POSCO America received a phone call from the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (Fisher House) located in Augusta, Georgia.

On hearing this unfortunate news, POSCO America proposed an ‘Untact Solution’ — a support system that enables elderly patients to connect and communicate with their families via video. On March 26, The company visited the Fisher House and donated eight devices for the purpose.

▲ A veteran at the VA Medical Center in Georgia, is on a video call with his family.

“It was really emotional to watch the veterans and their families well up in tears as they saw each other on the video calling device. We truly wish that these difficult times end soon,” said a POSCO America official.

An official at the Fisher House expressed thanks to POSCO America for implementing the ‘With POSCO’ spirit and presenting the veterans and their families with an irreplaceable gift — true happiness.

A part of the 1% Sharing* Fund — a fund voluntarily participated by employees — was used in the donation of the devices. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War and POSCO America plans to continue its support for veterans of the Korean War, including the presentation of appreciation plaques.

*1% Sharing: POSCO employees voluntarily donate 1% of their salary for social contribution activities. As of present, 99% of POSCO employees are participating.

POSCO America created commemorative plaques to honor and thank Korean War Veterans for their services to the Republic of Korea.

On April 12, an “Ambassador for Peace Medal” ceremony was held at the Atlanta Veterans Medical Center, under the auspices of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta and Georgia Department of Veterans Service. POSCO America participated in the ceremony as one of the corporate sponsors.

The United States deployed about 1.79 million soldiers to the Korean War in which 140,000 casualties occurred for the American soldiers. Across the United States, 1.47 million veterans survive to this day – about 35,000 veterans in the state of Georgia alone. Since 1975, Korea has been honoring the veterans and the bereaved families with the “Apostle of Peace” medal.

The ceremony commemorates the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. POSCO America created and delivered a total of 90 commemorative plaques to the veterans and their families including the 58 that were presented on this day.

▲ On April 12, POSCO America (headed by Kwang-Soo Kim) delivered memorial plaques to the Korean War veterans. All plaques carry the message, “We will always remember our hero.”

On the reasons for creating the memorial plaques, POSCO America cited a story from Mr. Norman F. Board who is serving as the Georgia branch president for the Korean War Veterans Association. He said, “Korean war is a ‘Forgotten War.’ So many American soldiers lost lives in the War, and yet, the attention it gets is nowhere near to that of World War II or the Vietnam War. Now, most of us are well into our nineties – many of us are already gone. I’m afraid we’ll be obliterated entirely from this generation.”

It was Mr. Board’s story that got POSCO America up and running to create the plaques for the veterans of the ‘Forgotten War.’ On the plaque, the company engraved the message, “We will always remember our hero” along with the period of the Korean War, which dates from 1950 to 1953. The plaque was created with POSCO’s permanent stainless steel, and POSCO C&C’s PosART inkjet printing skill was also applied.

Commissioner Mike Roby of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service remarked in the ceremony: “The creation of the plaques is our generation’s determination to remember the Korean War and those who fought in it. It honors the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Korea and their country. My deepest gratitude goes to POSCO for reminding us of the need to recognize the veterans’ services to the country.”

Earlier this month, POSCO America participated in the regular meeting of the Korean War veterans as part of their companion volunteering activity. Last December, the company also visited the Fisher House (The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Fisher House ) that provides temporary lodging for family members of veterans and military service members. The company donated 21 new TVs and participated in various community services.

To fulfill its due responsibility as a corporate citizen, POSCO America will continue the community outreach and develop sustainable relationships with the veterans.

▲ Mr. Norman F. Board and his wife, Mrs. Joan Board. After hearing Mr. Board’s story, POSCO America set to work to create memorial plaques for the Korean War veterans.

▲ Mr. Urban Rump of the Korean War Veterans Association and his wife Mrs. Carol Rump with the commemorative plaque on the porch.

▲ Mr. Edward Ginter, one of the recipients of the memorial plaques, and his wife, Mrs. Cecilia Ginter. POSCO America delivered a total of 90 memorial plaques to the Korean War veterans and their families.

POSCO has held its annual community service tradition, the POSCO Global Volunteer Week, since 2010.  This year, from May 24 to 30, over 79,000 POSCO Group employees from 52 different countries, including Korea, Turkey, Vietnam and the U.S., rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.

POSCO Group in Korea

In Korea, POSCO Group employees made home improvements for underprivileged neighborhoods, mentored local youth and had a blast painting wall murals.

In the nation’s capital of Seoul, POSCO employees cleaned up marine waste with the Clean Ocean Volunteer Group, and another group delivered freshly baked bread to the community’s elderly.

On May 30, POSCO CEO Kwon Ohjoon and over 30 employees visited Myeongryundang of Sungkyunkwan Munmyo (a Confucian shrine), to repair and replace Korean traditional paper called Changhoji on windows and doors.

POSCO CEO Kwon Ohjoon visited Munmyo, the main temple for Korean Confucianism located in Seoul, to help replace traditional Korean paper known as Changhoji

In the city of Pohang, POSCO’s volunteer groups visited Sangdo Middle School to conduct first aid and CPR training. Other volunteer groups in Gwangyang, another city in Korea where POSCO conducts business, launched a lunchbox delivery business to create jobs for the elderly and held classes for women for minority communities.

POSCO Group Across the Globe

POSCO subsidiaries in Turkey, Vietnam and the U.S., also took part in Global Volunteer Week.

In Turkey, POSCO ASSAN TST employees opened a Korean culture school for local elementary school students in March. During Global Volunteer Week, Students got to try on traditional Korean clothing called hanbok and volunteers built a playground made out of recycled tires for the kindergarten students.   

POSCO-Vietnam carried out activities to improve the environment of the POSCO steel village and installed safety bars in the POSCO steel bridge. POSCO-VST employees visited local orphanages to deliver healthy meals and deftly handled some exterior painting.

In the U.S., employees at POSCO-America gathered to clean up Centennial Olympic Park. The Detroit office went to the local food bank to distribute food to underprivileged neighborhoods and the Houston office cleaned up the memorial parks in the neighborhood to contribute to their respective local communities.

As one of the world’s leading steelmakers, POSCO will continue its efforts to contribute to global sustainable development by not only developing eco-friendly technologies but also giving back to local communities.

POSCO’s overseas employees participate in POSCO’s Global Mobility Program that includes seminars on Solution Marketing, POSTIM, POSCO’s values & culture, and a chance to get hands-on experience at the steelworks.

This year, the training took place from March 6 to 17 with nine employees from the following affiliates:

• POSCO-CSPC (China)
• Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. (China)
• Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. (China)
• PT.KP (Indonesia)
• POSCO-Vietnam
• POSCO-TBPC (Thailand)
• POSCO-ICPC (India)
• PT Krakatau POSCO
• POSCO America

GMP participants just completed their two-week training program last week, which included on-site training and seminars on POSCO’s values, culture, and working systems. For the first week, participants learned about POSCO’s history along with different aspects of Korean language and culture. During the second week, there was a lecture on the work phases of a steel mill and participants visited the steelworks for a fuller understanding of the steel production process.

This year, POSCO made more of an effort to include material that would help participants have a greater understanding of POSCO’s management policies, such as solution marketing and POSTIM.  Additionally, participants were able to share their own unique work experiences and learn more about how POSCO operates around the world.

Participants continued their training, working with different departments. These included the Human Resources & Labor Relations Group of Gwangyang Works, the Plate Rolling Department, the Automotive Flat Products Exports Group, and POSCO Group University.

Through the GMP, POSCO Group University hopes to steadily foster the growth of future management leaders and experts with POSCO’s innovative DNA. The second training will be conducted in June.

The Steel Wire recently sat down with three GMP participants from POSCO China. Read their interview and find out more about the program and how it will impact their work in China. 

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The opening of the POSCO America office in Atlanta was attended by more than 30 VIPs, including embassy dignitaries, POSCO executives, and customers.

Previously located in New Jersey, POSCO America’s move to Atlanta puts it in the center of the economic hub of the southeast region of the US and strategically close to the growing automobile and energy industries. The annual demand for steel in the southeast accounts for about 38% of the US’s total demand of 41 million tons. In addition, lower labor and logistics costs are helping the southeast revive the US manufacturing industry.

Many of POSCO’s customers are also concentrated in the southeast, including Hyundai, Kia, Kiswire, Caterpillar, GM, Honda, and other auto parts companies. Because Atlanta has become a transportation hub both regionally and nationally, it will be easier for POSCO to secure highly-skilled workers while also taking advantage of the inland transportation systems that provides easier access to key cities such as Houston, Mobile, New Orleans, Wilmington, and more.

POSCO America is laying the groundwork for an increase in demand for steel in the southeast region of the US. The office will act as a forward base for POSCO’s exports and contribute to the development of the region by creating demand for high-grade steel. Moreover, moving beyond the role of a basic steel provider, POSCO America will provide high-quality customer service in real time, becoming a “Total Solution Provider,” working closely with its sales offices in Detroit, Houston, and Mexico, as well as its regional technical service centers.

Since its establishment in 1984, POSCO America has been exporting its products to the Americas and managing local joint venture corporations. The office will act as the regional headquarters of POSCO America with over 40 employees working to support sales and technical teams for regional clients while also helping to support POSCO’s affiliates and subsidiaries in the US.

POSCO America represents 24 corporate investments, subsidiaries, and affiliates in the Americas. Major production and sales subsidiaries in the Americas include POSCO Canada which mines and sells coal from Canada; UPI, a joint venture between POSCO and US Steel; the Alabama Coil Production Center; POSCO Mexico, which produces and sells plated products; and CSP, an integrated steel mill jointly founded with Dongkuk Steel, which produces and sells slabs. As POSCO Group affiliates, POSCO Daewoo and POSCO E&C are active throughout many places in the Americas.

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POSCO-America is a subsidiary of South Korean steelmaker POSCO. It operates steel production and processing facilities as well as sales offices and technical service centers to better serve customers. It is also responsible for the execution of its growth strategy and management of existing subsidiaries and investments. POSCO-America is constantly creating remarkable value through high quality products and innovative solutions. Let’s get to know POSCO-America and take a look at some of its activities.

Representing Global Corporations

POSCO-America has been around for over thirty years since its establishment in 1984 and its role has expanded greatly from the initial management of its joint venture UPI (USS-POSCO Industries). Today, POSCO-America’s role includes sales development, technical solutions, customer servi
ces as well as management of POSCO group companies in the Americas.

Wonki Kim, president of POSCO-America said, “POSCO-America is striving to generates synergies amongst our various entities as POSCO’s representative company in the Americas.” POSCO is also committed to this objective. In fact, POSCO has invested a total of $1.9B in the Americas spread over 25 entities since POSCO- AMERICA’s establishment. POSCO has made various investments in steel production & processing facilities, sales offices and technical service centers to better serve customers in the Americas region.

In addition to its headquarters in New Jersey, POSCO- AMERICA’s footprint extends beyond the US to Mexico and South America.

Since its inauguration as the representative company in March of 2015, POSCO-America carries itself with a larger sense of responsibility. Kim stated, “Figuring out how to generate synergy projects amongst the various POSCO family companies in the Americas is what matters most.” POSCO- AMERICA is also focused on creating value for customers through Solution Marketing which incorporates application technology (technical solution), customer support (commercial solution), and heart-to-heart relationship (human solution).

Global One POSCO Opens Lines of Communication

Communication is often said to be the key to success and POSCO makes a great effort to maintain an open line of communication. In fact, the company shares all of its ideas through a Synergy Portal where members of each POSCO family company can join and suggest ideas as well as opinions at any time. Even results of each meetings are shared without omission through this system.

According to Young Jin Kim, CFO of POSCO- AMERICA, the Synergy Portal serves as an infrastructure in maximizing POSCO- AMERICA’s efficiency and competitiveness by allowing the free flow of ideas, information, opinions, questions, and suggestions.

Building Communities

POSCO- AMERICA makes great effort to create a sense of unity and solidarity among employees. One of the ways POSCO-America pursues this cooperative environment is by involving in a diverse range of community activities. These activities include repairing rundown houses, volunteering to distribute food for people in need, and tree planting.

POSCO-America also holds a monthly meeting where all employees discuss the overall performance of the company. Each department shares its performance, issues and plans. Through this activity Young Jin Kim hopes to “raise a sense of corporate belonging and pride as employees of POSCO.”

Different studies conducted around the world show that sharing a meal together can create and build a sense of community among colleagues. For this reason, POSCO- AMERICA incorporates a large and open multi-purpose area where employees can congregate and enjoy lunch together. Even in the workspace, POSCO-America employees can interact freely with each other due to this open space design.

And this is only the beginning. “We’re in the process of creating a mentoring program to increase employee satisfaction,” noted Young Jin Kim. “This program will match a supervisor or any manager with entry-level employees, and build an environment where mentors can provide useful tips to entry-level employees.”

POSCO-America has its future mapped out and the aim is to build a bond, not only within the company, but also the local community. POSCO is truly creating a sense of belonging for POSCO-America, its employees and the local people and has many more fun and engaging activities lined up for 2016.

 
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Since July, POSCO Group University has visited overseas affiliates in China, Japan, India and Vietnam   to operate the “Program for New Leaders” and the “Internal Instructor Fostering Program” based on its Global Teaching and Learning Kit (GTaLK). As POSCO expands its global businesses, the steelmaker is conducting the systematic global talent program across group levels, allowing all members of POSCO Group to receive equal growth opportunities regardless of their company or nationality.

Selected employees from 35 overseas affiliates in six countries including China, Japan, India, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, attended the “Program for New Leaders” and “Internal Instructor Fostering Program,” which were conducted for the first time. Employees working at local affiliates of POSCO E&C, Daewoo International and POSCO ICT also received the training.

“Program for New Leaders” is designed to provide practical assistance for new leaders to establish goals and properly implement leadership roles. Eighty-two local employees who completed the program learned about POSCO’s vision and history, as well as the roles and responsibilities of POSCO Group leaders and management skills needed in leadership roles.

Employees at POSCO-Maharashtra celebrated their completion of the New Leadership Program, which ran for 3 days from October 5.

The 59 local employees who participated in the “Internal Instructor Fostering Program” will soon be responsible for conducting various internal trainings including those focused on POSCO Group’s management philosophy and headquarter policies. POSCO Group University will foster 25 additional local internal instructors in cooperation with POSCO-South Asia, POSCO-America and POSCO-Mexico by the end of this year, and plans to award excellent instructors.

In addition to the training programs, POSCO Group University created GTaLK, a series of educational materials and online lectures on 18 subjects such as value sharing, leadership, management and product knowledge. GTaLK has been distributed to 60 overseas affiliates in three languages—English, Chinese and Japanese—and is expected to play an important role in strengthening core competencies and enhancing local affiliates’ own training programs.

The Global Teaching and Learning Kit (GTaLK) centers on 18 subjects that are essential to strengthening the core competencies of employees working for overseas affiliates.

Here’s what a few POSCO employees had to say about the company’s training programs and kits:

Yang-dong Park / POSCO-JAPAN
“Participating in the new leadership program was a valuable experience for me to equip myself with basic competencies as a POSCO Group leader and to reevaluate the role of leaders. I will strive to become a leader who can be a role model to subordinates. ”

Chiranjeev Maini / POSCO-India
“After completing the internal instructor fostering program, I could feel the sense of unity as one of POSCO Group’s members, and gained confidence as an instructor. I will actively perform my role delivering POSCO HQ’s management philosophy and policies accurately and effectively.”

Santitad Paimai / POSCO-South Asia
“This program helped me to better understand POSCO HQ’s global training policy. The English version of the latest training kit will be helpful in teaching as an internal instructor in the future.”
POSCO Group University plans to expand its global training infrastructure to foster superior global talent who will lead the future growth of overseas affiliates through close operation with overseas representative affiliates.

POSCO-America TSC (Technical Service Center) is strengthening its technical services and solution-based marketing support for its US and Mexican clients. The company opened last year with two offices in Mexico City, the capital and largest city in Mexico; and Birmingham, Alabama. Past January, it opened one more place of business in Houston, Texas. Based in these three cities, POSCO-America TSC is engaging in technical services and EVI (Early Vendor Involvement) activities for its clients in North and Central America, in which automotive and energy steel products are in high demand. Mexico is a global automotive industry hub. World’s top-notch automakers such as Nissan, GM and Volkswagen have active business operations in the country.

POSCO-America TSC Mexico City is currently focusing on automotive industry, providing technical services while working hard to develop new clients. It is also pursuing a certificate in automotive steel products. In an effort to increase the sales of steel products produced by POSCO and its local sales unit, POSCO-Mexico, the company is exchanging information with local processing centers and distribution corporations. POSCO-America TSC is scheduled to open a new business operation in Detroit, Michigan, within this year. Many global automobile manufacturers have headquarters and R&D centers in the city. Once it is opened, the Detroit office will dedicate itself to providing technical services for car companies in North America, as POSCO-America TSC Birmingham does.

Houston along with Scotland’s Aberdeen are two of the global energy industry hubs.  Located in Houston are companies from various sectors of the energy industry, such as Exxon Mobil, Shell, EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) corporations and equipment fabricators. For this reason, POSCO-America TSC Houston is striving to get information about new business opportunities, by engaging closely with its key clients. As a result of all these efforts, POSCO-America TSC successfully signed a contract to supply GI (galvanized steel) products to a major US truck maker. Upon hearing that the GI materials the truck maker had been supplied were often flawed, POSCO-America TSC proposed a solution, in an effort to win trust from the company (and it worked perfectly!). The employees of POSCO-America TSC Mexico City demonstrate a high level of satisfaction with their everyday lives, due much to mild climate and friendly locals.

In addition, they take a great pride in representing POSCO’s automotive and energy steel business in the country with great growth potential. Living up to the motto, ‘POSCO the Great’, all the employees of POSCO-America TSC will enhance its efforts to provide its clients with upgraded technical services and solution-based marketing support. In addition to pursuing a certificate in automotive steel products, POSCO-America TSC will seek to strengthen partnership with key clients through more frequent contact with them. The company also plans to form a consultative group with local manufacturers, to improve the quality of its products.