There is a company that is growing its global competitiveness with a unique overseas specialization strategy. Ltd. (CEO Seok-won Ko), a company specializing in mechanical parking facilities, has gained a thick customer base by providing one-stop services from planning, design, equipment delivery to post-construction maintenance.

"We have a wide base of loyal customers because we consult with them on the location of entrances and exits, the appropriate number of parking spaces, traffic calculations, the appropriate number of operational units, and post-installation operation methods as soon as we receive a project order," said CEO Ko Seok-won. "Our straightforward sales method without bubbles is very convincing in overseas markets."

Currently, the company has signed overseas partnerships with 16 countries, including Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Israel, Oman, and Kazakhstan, and its flagship model is the elevator slide system. The elevator slide method uses a trolley (robot) mounted on the TD system's platform to move vehicles to their respective parking bays, minimizing the time it takes to move vehicles in and out of the bays by simultaneously moving sideways and raising and lowering them.

When applied to large project parking lots of more than 100 cars, it is a highly profitable, reliable, and space-efficient system. "Since the trolley tows the vehicle, it is very safe as there are no crashes or rollover accidents due to driver malfunctions, and it is the most efficient way to use the underground space of a large building (parking for more than 80 cars)," said Goh. Since only the trolley itself needs to be maintained, it is also easier to maintain than the pallet method.

The parking facility installed at the CheilJayang headquarters in Banpo-dong, Seoul, is another site that combines the advantages of this method. Completed in 2002, it has a total of 72 parking spaces that are used free of charge by CheilJayang employees and has a high utilization rate of 80%.

A unique feature is the monitor installed in the upper right corner of the entrance, which allows users to monitor the entrance and exit process. "This makes the waiting time for departure less boring for customers," said Goh. "In Korea, it is often omitted due to cost, but overseas, there are many sites that do not have many waiting rooms."

 

In addition, double safety devices are installed to ensure safety accidents. In particular, sonic vehicle detectors (aka sonar sensors) are installed at both ends of the robot to detect errors caused by program and sensor malfunctions.

In addition, the self-parking lot with a capacity of 60 cars accommodates vehicles that are not allowed to be mechanized and vehicles of employees of CheilJayang Pharmaceutical. "Vehicle types and specifications are constantly being developed, and building owners want a mechanical facility that can accommodate all vehicles," said Koh. "A combination parking lot that mixes self-parking and mechanical parking can meet both."

The company is trying to set a trend by proposing this parking lot method in overseas markets. "Considering that the average lifespan of a parking machine is 15 to 20 years, a combination parking lot is the answer to minimize the damage to customers by using self-propelled machines in the event of a malfunction, and to accommodate even very large vehicles," said Ko.

Currently, Korean parking lot technology is leading in the world, according to industry experts. In Germany, Italy, and China, the overseas market is dominated by simple two-stage or puzzle-oriented parking facilities, but although Korean companies are leading in the overseas market for platomatic facilities, competition among Korean companies is also intensifying, Goh said.  However, in Korea, the parking lot market is a small and medium-sized business, so the leading position is threatened by the low proportion of R&D. 

"It is time for domestic companies to focus on R&D and new design development while avoiding excessive competition, and to try various types of collaborative systems to enhance the national brand as much as in overseas markets," said Goh.