{{Short description|South Korean food and beverage company}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}{{Infobox company | name = Nongshim Co., Ltd. | logo = Nongshim Logo (english).svg | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = | trade_name = | native_name = 주식회사 농심 | native_name_lang = ko | romanized_name = Jusik Hoesa Nongsim | former_name = Lotte Food Industrial Company (1965–1978) | type = Public | traded_as = {{kse|004370}} | ISIN = | industry = Food processing | genre = | predecessor = | founded = {{Start date and age|1965|09|18|df=y}} | founder = Shin Choon-ho<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-koreas-ramyeon-king-leaves-a-spicy-legacy|title = South Korea's late ramyeon king leaves a spicy legacy| work=The Straits Times |date = 3 April 2021|access-date = 7 April 2021|archive-date = 5 April 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210405092241/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-koreas-ramyeon-king-leaves-a-spicy-legacy|url-status = live}}</ref> | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | fate = | successor = <!-- or: | successors = --> | hq_location = 112 Yeouidaebang-ro, Dongjak-gu | hq_location_city = Seoul | hq_location_country = South Korea | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = Shin Dong-won (Chairman and CEO) | products = {{ubl|Shin Ramyun|Shin Ramyun Black|Neoguri|Soon Noodle|Jjawang|Matchampong|Shrimp Crackers|Onion Rings|Baeksan Mountain Water}} | revenue = {{increase}} {{KRW|2,181.62 billion}}<br />{{USD|1.83 billion}} | revenue_year = 2015 | operating_income = {{profit}} {{KRW|118.28 billion}}<br />{{USD|99.3 million}} | income_year = 2015 | net_income = {{profit}} {{KRW|117.33 billion}}<br />{{USD|98.5 million}} | net_income_year = 2015 | assets = {{increase}} {{KRW|2,418.71 billion}}<br />{{USD|2.03 billion}} | assets_year = 2015 | equity = {{increase}} {{KRW|1,646.47 billion}}<br />{{USD|1.38 billion}} | equity_year = 2015 | parent = Nongshim Holdings | website = {{URL|http://eng.nongshim.com/}} | footnotes = <ref name="nongshim products">{{cite web|title=Nongshim USA :: Our Products|url=http://nongshim.us/our-products|publisher=Nongshim|accessdate=25 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424230210/http://www.nongshim.us/our-products|archive-date=24 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=2Z>{{cite web|url=http://www.investing.businessweek.wallst.com/research/stocks/financials/financials.asp?ticker=004370:KS&dataset=incomeStatement&period=A¤cy=native|title=Nongshim Co Ltd (004370:Korea SE)|publisher=businessweek.wallst.com|accessdate=30 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923123343/http://www.investing.businessweek.wallst.com/research/stocks/financials/financials.asp?ticker=004370:KS&dataset=incomeStatement&period=A¤cy=native|archive-date=23 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> |module = {{Infobox Korean name/auto |child=yes |hangul=^농심 |hanja=農心 |lk=Farmer's Heart }} }} '''Nongshim Co., Ltd.''' ({{Korean|hangul=농심}}) is a South Korean multinational food and beverage company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Nongshim was founded in 1965 under the name '''Lotte Food Industrial Company'''. The name was changed to Nongshim in 1978.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mediapen.com/news/view/103406|script-title=ko:너구리·신라면…'농심' 보듬은 신춘호 회장의 경영철학|website=미디어펜|access-date=22 June 2016|language=Korean|archive-date=24 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324132016/http://www.mediapen.com/news/view/103406|url-status=live}}</ref>
The current logo was published in 1991, and is meant to resemble a seed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nongshim.com/introduction/introduction_ci|script-title=ko:농심|website=www.nongshim.com|language=ko|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122101107/http://www.nongshim.com/introduction/introduction_ci|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2003, the business switched to a holding company system and became a subsidiary of Nongshim Holdings.
Nongshim is the largest instant noodles and snack company in South Korea. At the end of 2015, Nongshim had 2.57 trillion won in assets and 2.81 trillion won in sales.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mt.co.kr/stock/2016/02/12/2016021215082625523|script-title=ko:농심, 2015년 영업익 1182억... 전년比 61%↑|access-date=17 March 2018|language=ko|archive-date=17 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317164935/http://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2016021215082625523&outlink=1&ref=https://ko.wikipedia.org|url-status=live}}</ref> It runs 11 factories worldwide, has subsidiaries in Korea<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nongshim.com/tour/tour_guide|script-title=ko:농심|website=www.nongshim.com|language=ko|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319122400/http://www.nongshim.com/tour/tour_guide|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nongshim.com/introduction/global_nongshim|script-title=ko:농심|website=www.nongshim.com|language=ko|access-date=17 March 2018|archive-date=23 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623041922/http://www.nongshim.com/introduction/global_nongshim|url-status=dead}}</ref> and overseas, and operates in more than 100 countries. The company is currently chaired by Shin Dong-won, son of the founder Shin Choon-ho.
==History==
=== 1965–1979 === On 18 September 1965, Nongshim was established under the name Lotte Food Industrial Company in Seoul, South Korea by Shin Choon-ho. Though Choon-ho was the brother of Lotte Corporation founder Shin Kyuk-ho,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Jo |first=He-rim |date=28 March 2021 |title=Family, business community mourn late Nongshim Group chairman |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210328000167 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322074455/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210328000167 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |access-date=29 March 2021 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}}</ref> the two businesses were separate.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Jee-hee |date=2021-03-28 |title=Shin Choon-ho, founder of ramyeon giant Nongshim, dies at 91 |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/03/28/business/industry/shin-choonho-lotte-nongshim/20210328183200415.html |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Korea Joongang Daily |language=en}}</ref> When Nongshim introduced its first ramyun, Lotte Ramyun ({{Korean|hangul=롯데 라면|labels=no}}) in 1965, there were 7 other companies in the market.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nongshim.com/introduction/nongshim_history%20/|script-title=ko:농심|website=www.nongshim.com|access-date=22 June 2016|archive-date=11 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811061658/http://www.nongshim.com/introduction/nongshim_history%20/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
As a second mover in the ramyun industry, Lotte Food Industrial Company focused on research and development. Along with South Korea's first commercialized packaged snack, Beef Ramyun ({{Korean|hangul=소고기 라면|labels=no}}) in 1970, Saeukkang ({{Korean|hangul=새우깡|labels=no}}) in 1971, and Nongshim Ramyun ({{Korean|hangul=농심라면|labels=no}}) in 1975, Nongshim achieved a 35% market share in the mid-1970s. On 6 March 1978, after a dispute with his brother, Choon-ho changed the company's name to Nongshim, meaning "farmer's heart."<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
=== 1980–1989 === During the 1980s, Nongshim invested highly on machinery, equipment, and systems. The Anseong factory was built in 1981 to specialize in powder soup, used to flavor the ramyun.
Many of Nongshim's famous ramyun products were introduced during the 1980s: Neoguri ({{Korean|hangul=너구리|labels=no}}) in 1982, Ansungtangmyun ({{Korean|hangul=안성탕면|labels=no}}) in 1983, Chapagetti ({{Korean|hangul=짜파게티|labels=no}}) in 1984, and Shin Ramyun ({{Korean|hangul=신라면|labels=no}}) in 1986. Cup and bowl-type instant noodles were also introduced during this period.
Nongshim's market share reached 40% in 1984, and became a leading company of the market in March 1985. With Shin Ramyun (1986), the most beloved instant noodle brand in South Korea, Nongshim reached 46.2% of the ramyun market share in 1987, 53.2% in 1988, and 58% in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://superich.heraldcorp.com/superich/view.php?ud=20130111000387&sec=01-73-01&jeh=143&pos=&RURL=https%253A%252F%252Fsearch.naver.com%252Fsearch.naver%253Fie%253Dutf8%2526where%253Dnews%2526query%253D%2525EB%252586%25258D%2525EC%25258B%2525AC%252520%2525EC%252582%2525BC%2525EC%252596%252591%252520%2525EC%252597%2525AD%2525EC%2525A0%252584%2526sm%253Dtab_tmr%2526frm%253Dmr%2526sort%253D0|script-title=ko:1969년 삼양 점유율 83%·2012년 농심 67%…영원한 승자는 없다|date=11 January 2013|website=superich.heraldcorp.com|access-date=22 June 2016|archive-date=10 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510084515/http://superich.heraldcorp.com/superich/view.php?ud=20130111000387&sec=01-73-01&jeh=143&pos=&RURL=https%253A%252F%252Fsearch.naver.com%252Fsearch.naver%253Fie%253Dutf8%2526where%253Dnews%2526query%253D%2525EB%252586%25258D%2525EC%25258B%2525AC%252520%2525EC%252582%2525BC%2525EC%252596%252591%252520%2525EC%252597%2525AD%2525EC%2525A0%252584%2526sm%253Dtab_tmr%2526frm%253Dmr%2526sort%253D0|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== 1990–present === On 1 January 1991, Nongshim introduced its new corporate identity (CI): Nongshim Seed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eng.nongshim.com/about/ci|title=GLOBAL NONGSHIM|website=eng.nongshim.com|access-date=22 June 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604163825/http://eng.nongshim.com/about/ci|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1990, the company's largest factory was opened in Gumi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hwang |first=Joo-young |date=2024-11-03 |title=Gumi, home to Nongshim's largest factory, rebrands itself as 'city of ramyeon' |url=https://koreaherald.com/article/3845730 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}}</ref>
The Asan factory was built in April 1993, and it specializes in potato and rice snacks. In April 1994, Nongshim introduced aseptic production system for cold noodles. In 2007, The Noksan factory was built to specialize in non-frying noodles and well-being (health) products.
During the 1990s, Nongshim focused on exporting and expanded their business in the global market.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2014/11/602_168900.html%2520/|title=Nongshim to boost global expansion|date=27 November 2014|website=The Korea Times|access-date=22 June 2016|archive-date=14 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814002310/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2014/11/602_168900.html%20/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In July 1997, Nongshim began sponsoring the national Baduk (Go) Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.donga.com/3/all/20160419/77657405/1%2520/|title=[神의 한 수]'아시아 바둑 올림픽' 인기 힘입어 신라면 중국 매출 급성장|website=The Dong-A Ilbo|access-date=22 June 2016|date=19 April 2016|archive-date=27 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827004709/http://news.donga.com/3/all/20160419/77657405/1%2520/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Nongshim built factories in China in the late 1990s and early 2000s: Shanghai (1996), Qingdao (1998), Shenyang (2000), a second factory at Qingdao (2002), and Yanbian (2015). In the U.S, Nongshim built a factory in Los Angeles in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nongshim.com/introduction/global_nongshim|script-title=ko:농심|website=www.nongshim.com|access-date=22 June 2016|archive-date=23 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623041922/http://www.nongshim.com/introduction/global_nongshim|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== All-time Executives ==
=== Chairman ===
* Shin Choon-ho (1992–2021) * Shin Dong-won (2021–Present)
=== Executive Chairman or Chairman & CEO ===
* Son Wook (2008–2010)
=== Vice Chairman ===
* Shin Dong-won (1998–2021) * Lee Sang-yun (2010–2011) * Park Joon (2016–Present)
=== President & CEO ===
* Shin Choon-ho (1965–1992) * Lee Sang-yun (1992–2008) * Park Joon (2012–2016)
== Advertising == Nongshim has been carrying out marketing and advertising that focuses on the characteristics of individual products rather than on the corporate brand as a whole. Company chairman Shin Chun-ho is quoted as saying "Advertisements should not be prioritized over quality products".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shindonga.donga.com/3/all/13/111491/2|script-title=ko:사나이 울리는 辛라면에서 세계인 울리는 SHIN RAMYUN으로|date=20 September 2012|website=shindonga.donga.com|language=ko|access-date=27 March 2019|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327135958/http://shindonga.donga.com/3/all/13/111491/2|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Operation== === Affiliates === Nongshim has 10 affiliates: Nongshim Holdings, Taekyung Nongsan, Youlchon Chemistry, Mega Mart, Nongshim Communication, NDS (Nongshim Data System), Nongshim Engineering, Youlchol Foundation, Hotel Nongshim, and Nongshim Development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eng.nongshim.com/about/subsidiary|title=GLOBAL NONGSHIM|website=eng.nongshim.com|access-date=23 June 2016|archive-date=11 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811122206/http://eng.nongshim.com/about/subsidiary|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Global operations === Nongshim's headquarters is located in Seoul, South Korea. Nongshim products are now exported to over 100 countries around the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2014/11/123_168900.html|title=Nongshim to boost global expansion|date=27 November 2014|website=The Korea Times|access-date=23 June 2016|archive-date=18 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618061928/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2014/11/123_168900.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2016, Nongshim has 11 manufacturing plants around the world: Korea (Anyang, Ansung, Asan, Gumi, Busan, Noksan), United States (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), China (Shanghai, Qingdao, Shenyang, Yanbian).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eng.nongshim.com/about/plant_one|title=GLOBAL NONGSHIM|website=eng.nongshim.com|access-date=23 June 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322083228/http://eng.nongshim.com/about/plant_one|archivedate=22 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.koreaportal.com/articles/3024/20151109/nongshim-bottled-water-plant-china.htm|title=South Korean Food Manufacturer Nongshim Opens Bottled Water Plant In China With Targeted Sales Of 237.6 Million Dollars In 2017|date=9 November 2015|website=koreaportal|access-date=23 June 2016|archive-date=12 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612030054/http://en.koreaportal.com/articles/3024/20151109/nongshim-bottled-water-plant-china.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=June 2025}} There are 7 sales distribution offices in 6 countries outside of South Korea: the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, China and Vietnam.
==Logo evolution== <gallery> Nongshim Logo.svg|Korean logo, 1991–present </gallery>
== Products == Nongshim products include instant noodles, packaged snacks, and bottled water. There are more than 40 brands of ramyuns, produced by Nongshim, including South Korea's most popular ramyun brand, Shin Ramyun.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3015131|title=Record-breaking noodles|date=16 February 2016|access-date=23 June 2016|archive-date=1 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701090353/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3015131|url-status=live}}</ref> in 2015 Nongshim introduced new noodle brands: Zha Wang ({{Korean|hangul=짜왕|labels=no}}) and Mat Champong ({{Korean|hangul=맛짬뽕|labels=no}}). Zha Wang is formed of a portmanteau of ''Jjajangmyun'' ({{Korean|hangul=짜장면|labels=no}}) and ''wang'' ({{Korean|hangul=왕|labels=no}}), which means "King" (the company romanized 짜 as "Zha" on export product packaging, as opposed to the more standard romanization of "jja"). Mat Champong on the other hand is a portmanteau of the Korean noun ''mat'' ({{Korean|hangul=맛|labels=no}}) meaning "taste" and ''Champong,'' although export packaging for the product romanizes the name as merely "Champong" with no "mat".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160317000850|title=Competition intensifies over premium instant noodles|date=17 March 2016|website=The Korea Herald|access-date=23 June 2016|archive-date=21 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221224842/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160317000850|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 April 2015 |title=Nongshim launches 'Jjawang' noodles |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150427000805 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172108/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150427000805 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |access-date=23 June 2016 |website=The Korea Herald}}</ref>
They also produce other varieties of snacks including Saeukkang<ref>{{Cite web|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2971766|title=Big milestone for diminutive snack|date=19 May 2013|access-date=23 June 2016|archive-date=1 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701081017/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2971766|url-status=live}}</ref> the first commercialized snack in South Korea and Onion Rings ({{Korean/auto|hangul=^양파_링|rr=yes|labels=no}}), which are famous for their sliced-onion-ring shape.
Since 2012, Nongshim has been producing its own bottled water called Baeksan Water ({{Korean/auto|hangul=백산수|hanja=白山水|rr=yes|labels=no}}),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2014/07/123_159981.html|title=Bottled water competition heats up|date=27 June 2014|website=The Korea Times|access-date=23 June 2016|archive-date=14 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814103948/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2014/07/123_159981.html|url-status=live}}</ref> which is slowly filtered by Baekdu Mountain volcanic rock.
==See also== * Nongshim RedForce * Lotte Group
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Nongshim}} *{{official website|http://eng.nongshim.com/}} {{in lang|en}} {{Finance links |name= Nongshim |google= 004370:KRX |yahoo= 004370.KS |bloomberg= 004370:KS |reuters= 004370.KS }} {{Portal bar|Food|Companies|South Korea}} {{Nongshim}} {{KOSPI 200}} {{Lotte}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Nongshim Category:Companies listed on the Korea Exchange Category:Companies in the KOSPI 200 Category:Condiment companies of South Korea Category:Food and drink companies established in 1965 Category:Snack food manufacturers of South Korea Category:Instant noodle brands of South Korea Category:Food manufacturers based in Seoul Category:South Korean brands Category:South Korean companies established in 1965 Category:Shin family Category:Multinational companies headquartered in South Korea Category:Multinational food companies Category:Family-owned companies of South Korea