"Even towering skyscrapers and massive bridges—it's a single bolt and nut, the size of a forearm, 

that holds it all together."

On the 19th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, in cooperation with the Korea Federation of SMEs and the Korea 

Federation of Middle Market Enterprises, named ten companies—including KPF Co., Ltd. (listed in alphabetical order 

with others such as Geumseong Publishing, Geumyong Machinery, and Sempio Foods)—as this year’s 

Prestigious Long-Standing Enterprises. The “Prestigious Long-Standing Enterprise” designation has been awarded 

annually since 2017, with the aim of fostering small and medium-sized enterprises that have the potential to 

thrive for over 100 years. The selected companies must have been operating for over 45 years and are chosen 

based on a comprehensive evaluation of their contributions to employment, exports, social responsibility, and 

technological innovation.

At KPF’s plant in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, department heads Kim Jae-won (Executive Director of Management Planning) 

and Kim Gwang-yang (Head of Fastener Business Division) were seen holding giant bolts used in large-scale construction projects.

On October 28, KPF’s Chungju plant was stacked high with bolts longer than an adult’s forearm. Lifting one of them, 

Kim Jae-won explained, “Whether it’s a skyscraper or a massive bridge, it’s this bolt and nut pair that connects 

and holds everything together. It may seem like a small part, but if it isn’t securely fastened, the entire structure could collapse.”

Founded in 1963 as Korea Bolt Industry in Seoul’s Dongdaemun district, KPF began by melting down discarded 

metal in the aftermath of the Korean War to manufacture construction materials. Today, KPF is a key supplier of large bolts 

and nuts for use in construction, petrochemical plants, heavy machinery, and wind power installations—producing components 

ranging in length from 2.5 centimeters to over 4 meters. KPF’s bolts and nuts have played a pivotal role in some of 

Korea’s most iconic modern structures, such as the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, and 

the Yeosu World Expo site. Most bridges spanning the Han River in Seoul also use KPF products. With superior resistance to 

heat, pressure, salt, wind, and moisture, their fasteners are installed in critical facilities such as the Dangjin Thermal Power Plant 

and the Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant. But KPF’s footprint extends far beyond Korea. Its products have been used in 

global landmarks like Apple’s headquarters in the U.S., London’s Olympic Stadium, the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, 

and the Çanakkale Suspension Bridge in Turkey.

The secret to KPF’s sustained global presence over the past 60 years is one word: safety. In the world of fasteners, 

joint quality is paramount. A single loose bolt in a steel structure could lead to catastrophic failure, requiring the structure to 

be dismantled and rebuilt from scratch. Han Beom-gyo, Director of Strategic Planning at KPF, noted, “Bolts and nuts may seem 

insignificant, but each must perform its role flawlessly to prevent disasters like the Seongsu Bridge collapse or the 

Sampoong Department Store tragedy.”

KPF’s flagship product, the TC (Tension Control) Bolt, is designed so that a part of the bolt snaps off when properly tightened

—ensuring exact fastening torque. KPF became the first company in Korea to localize production of this component in the 1980s, 

replacing imports and establishing a stronghold in global markets. Today, it exports to 41 countries worldwide.

Kim Jae-won emphasized, “Safety is the one thing we will never compromise on, no matter the cost. In construction, 

reliability is more important than price, and that’s what our brand has built its reputation on.”

KPF has also expanded beyond bolts and nuts. In the 1990s, it repurposed its nut-manufacturing equipment to produce 

automotive bearings, launching exports in 2006. Today, it supplies bearings to major global automotive parts companies. 

With bearings now complementing its core fastener business, exports account for 64% of KPF’s total revenue, which stands 

at approximately KRW 330 billion. In recent years, KPF has taken a bold step into robotics, acquiring a specialized 

manufacturer of precision speed reducers for industrial robots. Kim concluded, “We refuse to rest on our past achievements. 

With over six decades of experience, we’re determined to explore new business domains and continue growing as a 

long-standing enterprise of global significance.”

▶Related Links : 

◎ Chosun Ilbo    [Prestigious Long-Standing Enterprise] [1] KPF - The Giant Bolt Manufacturer