Korean firm, Lite-Form in talks to add business in area
By Dave Dreeszen Journal business editor | Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008
Lite-Form Technologies CEO and President Pat Boeshart visits with Han-Ki Lee, chairman of Sunhoon Tech Co. during a visit Friday to Lite-Form’s offices in South Sioux City. Sunhoon, a plastics manufacturer in Korea, is looking to expand its business relationship with Lite-Form, maker of insulated concrete form systems. (Staff photo by Dave Dreeszen)
SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- Lite-Form Technologies would become a global showplace for a Korean plastics manufacturer's patented equipment, under a proposed deal being discussed by the two companies.
Lite-Form CEO and President Pat Boeshart and Han-Ki Lee, chairman of Sunghoon Tech Co., talked about expanding their four-year-old business relationship during a news conference Friday.
Lee, who is also a local elected official in the city of Seoul, Korea, visited Lite-Form's global headquarters here for the first time this week.
Lite-Form's assembly plant currently uses Sunghoon-designed machinery to make its insulating concrete form systems, which are sold worldwide for residential and commercial construction. Lite-Form also has worked with Lee and his company on various construction projects.
Boeshart and Lee said they hope to finalize plans for new ventures in the near future. Among the subjects being discussed: Lite-Form's South Sioux offices essentially serving as a U.S. distributor for Sunghoon, which does business in 40 countries.
"It would be a showroom for plastics construction,'' Boeshart said.
There's also the potential for Lite-Form assembling plastics products as a subcontractor, he said. Rapidly rising fuel costs, which increase the costs of exports, is driving such a move.
"Transportation is becoming such a huge concern for everything,'' he said.
Boeshart founded Lite-Form in 1986 after perfecting the insulating concrete forms and plastic hardware he had been using as a local homebuilder.
The patented reinforcing spacer ties hold the foam sections together. Unlike traditional wood forms, the forms remain in place, adding to the energy efficiency, strength and durability of the concrete.
At Friday's media event, more than two dozen Siouxland leaders honored Lee, who was accompanied by his wife. Speaking through an interpreter, Lee repeatedly thanked his hosts, and expressed how impressed he was with Lite-Form and other local businesses, including South Sioux City's large meatpacking industry.
Local officials presented Lee with a series of gifts, including several products made in the tri-state region. Lee said he plans to wear a South Sioux City-themed cardinal red tie at the next meeting of the Seoul city council. He chairs the transportation committee in the Korean capital of more than 13 million.
Lite-Form Technologies
Headquarters: South Sioux City
Founded: 1986
Founder and CEO: Pat Boeshart
Products: Insulating concrete form systems
Lite-Form CEO and President Pat Boeshart and Han-Ki Lee, chairman of Sunghoon Tech Co., talked about expanding their four-year-old business relationship during a news conference Friday.
Lee, who is also a local elected official in the city of Seoul, Korea, visited Lite-Form's global headquarters here for the first time this week.
Lite-Form's assembly plant currently uses Sunghoon-designed machinery to make its insulating concrete form systems, which are sold worldwide for residential and commercial construction. Lite-Form also has worked with Lee and his company on various construction projects.
Boeshart and Lee said they hope to finalize plans for new ventures in the near future. Among the subjects being discussed: Lite-Form's South Sioux offices essentially serving as a U.S. distributor for Sunghoon, which does business in 40 countries.
"It would be a showroom for plastics construction,'' Boeshart said.
There's also the potential for Lite-Form assembling plastics products as a subcontractor, he said. Rapidly rising fuel costs, which increase the costs of exports, is driving such a move.
"Transportation is becoming such a huge concern for everything,'' he said.
Boeshart founded Lite-Form in 1986 after perfecting the insulating concrete forms and plastic hardware he had been using as a local homebuilder.
The patented reinforcing spacer ties hold the foam sections together. Unlike traditional wood forms, the forms remain in place, adding to the energy efficiency, strength and durability of the concrete.
At Friday's media event, more than two dozen Siouxland leaders honored Lee, who was accompanied by his wife. Speaking through an interpreter, Lee repeatedly thanked his hosts, and expressed how impressed he was with Lite-Form and other local businesses, including South Sioux City's large meatpacking industry.
Local officials presented Lee with a series of gifts, including several products made in the tri-state region. Lee said he plans to wear a South Sioux City-themed cardinal red tie at the next meeting of the Seoul city council. He chairs the transportation committee in the Korean capital of more than 13 million.
Lite-Form Technologies
Headquarters: South Sioux City
Founded: 1986
Founder and CEO: Pat Boeshart
Products: Insulating concrete form systems
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