[Edaily Reporter Lee So-Hyun ] There are quite a few manufacturing companies that produce high-quality products but feel at a loss about how to sell them online. Kkumteul Foods, which started in a 10-pyeong mill in Suwon and grew into a 400-pyeong food factory, faced the same challenge.

Through Cafe24 Corp.’s “K-Manufacturing Innovation Project,” Kkumteul Foods built its own online store and set out to tap into the direct-to-consumer (D2C) market. This is an example of a company that, despite possessing manufacturing competitiveness, was struggling due to a lack of online operational experience and specialized personnel, but has now embarked on a digital transformation.

Cafe24 Corp. is spearheading this project to support the 500,000 domestic manufacturers that, despite possessing manufacturing capabilities, struggle to enter the e-commerce market due to limitations in developing online sales strategies, securing operational staff, and managing production and inventory data.

Working with Cafe24 Corp., Kkumteul Foods laid the groundwork for new growth by proceeding step-by-step—from developing a brand strategy to building its own online store and establishing an online sales system. The company has secured an online distribution channel that allows it to directly promote and sell its products to consumers, leveraging the manufacturing know-how it has accumulated over many years.

Park Hyo-sang, CEO of Kkumteul Foods, said, “While considering our online expansion, we looked into hiring specialized staff to manage operations in-house, but through Cafe24 Corp.’s K-Manufacturing Innovation Project, we were able to prepare in a more systematic manner.”

Building Manufacturing Competitiveness with Customized Chili Powder

Kkumteul Foods began in 2006 in a mill measuring just over 10 pyeong located in a traditional market in Suwon. When CEO Park took over the shop his parents had run, there were as many as eight similar stores in the market. “I decided there was no chance of success if we competed in the same way, so I boldly stopped selling rice cakes and began visiting restaurants and businesses directly to supply chili powder,” CEO Park said.

Kkumteul Foods produces sesame oil, perilla oil, and red pepper powder, among other products. Of these, red pepper powder accounts for about 90% of total sales.

The company’s competitive edge lies in customized manufacturing. It creates samples tailored to each client’s desired specifications and quality standards, and adjusts the heat, flavor, and color by combining different chili pepper varieties. By proposing products suited to specific industries and menus, the company has steadily expanded its client base.

As the business grew, the company expanded its production facilities. Eight years after founding, it moved to a 40-pyeong factory, and later built a 120-pyeong facility equipped with its own drying system. In 2023, to meet increased B2B demand, the company completed a 400-pyeong production plant and obtained HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) certification.

Moving Beyond Bulk Products to Target Online Consumers

Kkumteul Foods has chosen D2C as its next growth engine. As the markets for home meal replacements (HMR) and meal kits have grown, the need to engage directly with general consumers—beyond supplying primarily to foodservice businesses—has become increasingly important.

The company also revised its product lineup to suit online sales. Moving away from the large-volume products previously supplied to restaurants and food companies, it launched stick-type chili powder suitable for single-person households, camping, and travel. To strengthen its brand image, the company also completely revamped its packaging design.

On its newly launched official online store, the company showcases premium products such as domestically produced sesame oil and perilla oil pressed the same day, as well as domestic chili powder. It plans to expand its consumer reach by leveraging the online sales platform established through Cafe24 Corp.

Kkumteul Foods has set goals of achieving annual sales of 20 billion won and expanding its second factory. The company plans to expand its product lineup—based on chili powder, sesame oil, and perilla oil—to include raw ingredient sauces and meal kits, and to enter overseas markets.

CEO Park stated, “Based on the manufacturing technology and quality competitiveness we’ve accumulated over nearly 20 years, we will build a food brand that consumers trust and seek out,” adding, “Our goal is to be recognized for our competitiveness not only in the domestic market but also in overseas markets where interest in K-food is high.”