The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on the 28th that they selected Han Young-don, CEO of Hanul Saengyak, and Kim Sang-beom, CEO of Chungmu Towel, as "Proud Small and Medium Businesspeople" for the second quarter of 2026.
"Proud Small and Medium Businesspeople" is a program that discovers and honors small and medium businesspeople who have contributed to national industrial development through management innovation, export expansion, and technology development, and is jointly run by KBIZ and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS).
Hanul Saengyak is a manufacturer that focuses on eco-friendly wet wipes, shifting away from the negative perception of conventional wet wipes as plastic products and focusing on developing eco-friendly, high-quality products. Recently, based on more than 20 patented technologies, including ozone sterilization technology and aromatherapy functions, it introduced wet wipes that reduce chemical components and use 100% recycled materials.
Based on this, it aggressively tapped overseas markets such as the United States and Europe, achieving more than 80 billion won in exports last year. In 2023, it ranked No. 1 in exports in the baby wet wipes institutional sector and was selected as a "World Class Product" by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
CEO Han Young-don introduced a "full smart process system" that integrates the entire manufacturing process with information and communications technology (ICT), boosting productivity and reducing industrial accident risks and working hours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company donated quarantine supplies and provided emergency relief supplies to areas hit by floods and wildfires, actively pursuing ESG management.
Chungmu Towel, a towel manufacturing specialist, was the first in Korea to apply an eco-friendly dyeing method (EFD) to its production process, cutting process time by more than 40% and reducing the use of some chemicals such as water purifiers and scouring agents.
It also holds more than 10 patents in dyeing and printing, and through its digital textile printing (DTP) technology patent, it achieved precise pattern printing, photo-realistic output, and reduced wastewater generation at the same time.
In the production institutional sector, it integrated the entire process—from dyeing and printing to customer management—into a single supply chain management (SCM) system, improving production efficiency and quality stability. It is also actively participating in government ESG and carbon neutrality support programs, working to convert to low-carbon facilities and establish eco-friendly production systems.
CEO Kim Sang-beom founded Cloudmant, a standard workplace for people with disabilities, and contributed to job creation for vulnerable groups by employing 15 people with disabilities. Recognized for fostering a healthy organizational culture by encouraging paternity leave and supporting employee vacation programs, the company was selected as an excellent institution (grade S) in the "Daejeon City Good Workplace Creation Project."