Original Source: Korea Textile News (http://www.ktnews.com) Commerce and Manufacturing Expertise Exchange to Create Synergy Visual (CEO Seil Heo) and Jewelry Khan, the Vietnamese subsidiary of global jewelry manufacturer Gemopia Invest (CEO Youngkyu Lim), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The two companies held the agreement ceremony locally in Vietnam with the goal of creating synergy through multifaceted exchange and cooperation in the global jewelry business. Visual CEO Seil Heo (left) and Jewelry Khan CEO Jaeho Jang (right), the head of Gemopia Vietnam, signed the MOU regarding their global jewelry business. Starting with this agreement, the two companies plan to actively share capabilities and collaborate on the development of new jewelry products and brands, existing product manufacturing, and global distribution. Visual will contribute through its experience operating Korea’s largest jewelry commerce platform “Amondz,” as well as its millennial customer insights and IT technology based on a strong database. Gemopia Vietnam, an OEM/ODM manufacturer for global brands such as Pandora, will strengthen the collaboration with its world-class production technology and large-scale manufacturing capabilities. With this MOU, Visual is formalizing a full-scale global partnership with Gemopia Invest. Founded in Korea in 1978, Gemopia Invest is a world-class jewelry manufacturer operating global businesses in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan, and has more than 4,000 jewelry professionals. It has expanded into investment as well, aiming to fulfill ideal lifestyles for customers worldwide. Visual and Gemopia Invest began their partnership through AWS’s global startup expansion support program, and are now collaborating across all aspects of the jewelry industry—from R&D and production to logistics and marketing—targeting multinational markets including Korea, Japan, and the U.S. Visual CEO Seil Heo stated, “With Visual’s commerce platform-based business and Gemopia Invest’s global manufacturing system that combines world-class technology and production scale, the two companies will collaborate in various areas.” Gemopia Invest CEO Youngkyu Lim said, “Having built world-class jewelry manufacturing and distribution technology and infrastructure for nearly half a century, Gemopia Invest will work with Visual to exchange their respective expertise in ‘commerce’ and ‘manufacturing’ to create innovative synergy.” Reporter: Seoyeon Lee / sylee@ktnews.com

Original Source: The Bell | http://www.thebell.co.kr/free/content/ArticleView.asp?key=201909240100041640002603 Real estate developer Gemopia Invest (formerly Brand Khan) has successfully sold newly built buildings in Seoul’s Gangnam area one after another. Earlier this year, it sold the "Brand Khan Tower I" in Banpo-dong, and most recently, disposed of its newly completed "Brand Khan Tower II near Samseong Station" to Korea Hokusho, a Japanese-affiliated company. According to the real estate industry on the 24th, Gemopia Invest signed a contract with Korea Hokusho in early August to sell Brand Khan Tower II, located at 15, Teheran-ro 88-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (944-23, Daechi-dong). The transaction was completed at the end of last month. The selling price was KRW 45 billion. Gemopia Invest is a real estate developer that changed its name from Brand Khan in May this year. Its business model has been to secure land, construct new buildings, and primarily sell them. It has experience with various projects, including NEMO PLUS near Seocho Station and Daeyang Building in Guro Digital Complex. As for the land for Brand Khan Tower II, it had been owned by an individual, Mr. K, since 1975. Gemopia Invest purchased the site for KRW 20 billion in December 2016 and began development. After completing the building in March this year, it went up for sale and successfully recovered the investment. In March this year, Gemopia Invest also sold Brand Khan Tower I, a newly built building located at 527, Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu (722-20, Banpo-dong). Gemopia Invest purchased 70% of the land from individual co-owner Mr. K for KRW 15.4 billion in 2014. Later that year, it bought the remaining 30% from co-owner Mr. L for about KRW 2 billion and proceeded with the development. In November 2016, it completed construction of a building with six underground and 16 above-ground floors, totaling 6,985 m². In March this year, it signed a sale contract with YMG Co., Ltd., based in Yongin, and closed the transaction the following month. The sale price was KRW 54.5 billion. With these two building sales in Gangnam this year, Gemopia Invest secured KRW 100 billion in funds. Meanwhile, Woori Bank was involved in both transactions, drawing attention. Woori Bank provided financing when YMG acquired Brand Khan Tower I, placing a mortgage on the building with a maximum secured amount of KRW 50.4 billion. Given that maximum secured amounts are usually 120–130% of the actual loan, it is estimated that KRW 38.7–42 billion was lent. A similar arrangement was used when Korea Hokusho acquired Brand Khan Tower II near Samseong Station. A mortgage was placed on the property, with the maximum secured amount set at KRW 36 billion. The actual loan amount is estimated at KRW 27.6–30 billion, accounting for over 60% of the total transaction value. It is believed that Korea Hokusho relied on Woori Bank’s help because of its limited internal funding capacity. Hokusho, a Japanese logistics equipment company, established its Seoul office in 1996 and founded Korea Hokusho in 2004. Although it is a consistently profitable company, it is relatively small in scale. Last year’s revenue and operating profit were KRW 17 billion and KRW 1.2 billion, respectively, down 4.2% and 15.9% from the previous year. As of the end of last year, its cash and cash equivalents stood at KRW 4.4 billion, and short-term financial instruments at KRW 4.5 billion, totaling KRW 8.9 billion—an 11.8% decrease year-over-year.

Original Source: Hankyung News | https://www.hankyung.com/news/article/2008111120501 2011 Future Value Design Category Gemopia Invest, Korea’s largest precious metal manufacturer (CEO Seong-jae Lim, pictured), is celebrating its 33rd anniversary this year, having started its business under the brand name “Kkot Chain.” Each year, the company receives praise and acclaim from customers by showcasing new technologies and creative designs at exhibitions held around the world. It has also received notable awards, including the Presidential Commendation in 1998 and the Presidential Industrial Service Medal in 1999. In 2001, it was selected as a promising SME, and in 2007, it received the Certification for Management Innovation in SMEs. That same year, it was also awarded the SME Grand Prize. In 2008, it achieved the No.1 sales ranking in the precious metals category on GS Home Shopping. Gemopia Invest places great emphasis on the design sector above all. Its design philosophy is to create products that are a part of customers’ daily lives through outstanding design. By operating nine distinct brands, the company is able to respond flexibly to more specific and professional customer needs. To stay aware of and lead trends, it regularly participates in overseas exhibitions, conducts market research, and reviews relevant industry publications. From 2000 to 2004, Gemopia Invest won the Excellent Design Award for five consecutive years and has been selected multiple times as a “Good Design” company. All products under its in-house wedding brands Agrement and Orphée have been registered for design protection. Through home shopping platforms, the company seeks closer engagement with consumers. As products leveraging Gemopia Invest’s proprietary technology continue to receive positive responses, these efforts are being reflected in increased sales. Gemopia Invest is fully committed to introducing advanced technologies and nurturing creative talent. To uphold its reputation as Korea’s top jewelry company, it will continue to prioritize talent, boldly invest in technology development, and connect with customers through distinctive design.

Original Source: Hankyung News | https://www.hankyung.com/news/article/2008111120501 With 31 Years of Technology and Expertise, Known for "Top Jewelry" Gemopia Invest (Chairman Seong-jae Lim, pictured) is a precious metal company celebrating its 31st anniversary. Since 1998, it has maintained the No.1 position in domestic sales for 10 consecutive years and exports to over 70 countries. Each year at exhibitions around the world, the company showcases new technologies and creative designs, earning praise and acclaim from customers in design-leading countries like Italy and Japan. While the industry overall remains sluggish due to rising raw material prices, this company leads new technologies in precious metals through bold facility investments. Gemopia Invest aims to become the top company in Northeast Asia—covering China, Japan, and Korea— with its slogan "Great Again 2015", and is heavily investing in the design sector. Although it is a manufacturing company, it has internally segmented brand concepts that meet customer demands through differentiated targets and channels. To foster creative talent, the company provides opportunities to attend overseas exhibitions, and has built a diverse and structured designer training program and systematic organizational management system. Gemopia Invest’s design center is the largest in Korea. Its operation and training content are industry-leading. Through knowledge management, the company enables employees to share acquired knowledge across departments and enterprise-wide. So-called DPS (Design, Production, Sales) meetings lead inter-departmental coordination. As part of building an enjoyable design studio, the FUN team energizes members with 3-minute speeches during morning briefings. From 2000 to 2004, Gemopia Invest won the Excellent Design Award for five consecutive years. All products from its in-house wedding brands “Agrement” and “Orphée” are registered designs for protection. Recently, consumers can also purchase related products via home shopping channels. Based on 31 years of accumulated expertise and experience, Gemopia Invest continues striving to uphold its reputation as Korea's top jewelry company. Above all, it values people, boldly invests in technological development, and focuses on creating differentiated designs.