Winia resumes production of flip-top kimchi fridges

[Courtesy of Winia Co. Ltd.]

Winia Co. Ltd. resumed the production of its flip-top kimchi refrigerators after a four-month hiatus, signaling a step towards business normalization even as the company continues its search for a new owner.

The production restart follows a temporary halt in October 2023 when Winia ceased a portion of kimchi refrigerator production. The company had previously resumed the production of upright kimchi refrigerators a month later.

The company said on Wednesday it aims to expedite business recovery through the resumption of production. Kim Hyuk-pyo, Winia’s legal representative director, said that the resumption of flip-top kimchi refrigerator production is a positive signal for attracting external investments, which is part of the broader effort for business normalization.

The company is gearing up for a revival with the introduction of new products in 2024. The latest product line under the Dimchae brand incorporates the Gourmet Pantry feature, allowing for the convenient storage of food ingredients, while the Gourmet Pocket provides storage for various beverages and liquors. The one-touch all-in-one mode is also implemented to enable the long-term storage of kimchi and food ingredients simultaneously.

Winia earlier embarked on a resale journey after a decade, inking a contract with Samil PwC, the lead manager overseeing the M&A process, in December 2023 following approval from Seoul’s business rehabilitation court. With the M&A deal in hand, Winia aims to settle rehabilitation claims and secure operational funds for the company.

Daeyu Winia Group decided to discontinue its business operations ten years after acquiring Winia for 70 billion won ($52.4 million) in 2014.