POSCO has selected a refractory engineer as a "POSCO Master Craftsman" for the first time.
POSCO announced on the 15th that it had selected Lee Sang-hwi (pictured), a part leader in the refractory group at its Gwangyang Steelworks, as this year's "POSCO Master Craftsman." Lee joined the Gwangyang Steelworks in 1988 and has served as an expert handling various equipment repair tasks in the refractory field for 38 years. The refractory field involves the maintenance and repair of high-temperature vessels such as blast furnaces and converters, which are used to produce and process molten iron. Those selected as master craftsmen receive benefits including a special promotion of one grade, a congratulatory bonus, and special leave. Even after retirement, they can pass on their expertise to junior colleagues as technical consultants.
The POSCO Master Craftsman program, introduced in 2015, selects employees with world-class technical skills and character to advance and pass down steelmaking technology. To date, 30 master craftsmen have been named.
Lee Hee-keun, President and CEO of POSCO, said, "The POSCO Master Craftsman is a symbol of the field-accumulated technology and experience being recognized as the company's competitiveness." He added, "I hope the master craftsman will lead innovation in the field and serve as a solid anchor in passing on technology and a sense of vocation to junior colleagues."
