By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
Doosan Group is bringing in foreign talent for decision-making positions as part of its globalization efforts.
Doosan executives say the group still needs more foreigners to respond with the needs of globalization, being accelerated under the leadership of Chairman Park Yong-hyun.
It has increased the number of top-level foreign executives to three as it just named an Australian national Anthony Helsham to the head of Doosan Infracore's construction equipment unit.
Last year, it appointed Charles W. Hawley to handle the group’s human resources. In 2006, it named a former banker James Bemowski as the vice chairman as for a way to boost its global edges.
With its overseas expansion, about 46 percent of its workforce is non-Korean. A group spokesman Bae Kyun-ho said it will bring more foreign talent and give them key positions for Doosan's people-first strategy.
"We need trendsetters and we also need to standardize processes and systems that Doosan has developed around the world," Bae said, last week.
Doosan, which successfully acquired Bobcat of the United States and Czech-based turbine player Skoda Power in recent years, is aiming to enlist it as the top 200 in the Fortune list by 2020.
Group Chairman Park is pushing to diversify its management and become truly global as he knew Doosan needed some changes in management to boost efficiency in its growing overseas businesses, according to Doosan executives.
Helsham, who had worked for 30 years at Swedish construction equipment maker Volvo, will manage the Infracore's construction equipment business and the affiliates, including Doosan Infracore International.
"Although this appointment is another confirmation of Park's leadership style, Doosan still needs more change for further and an effective expansion in the global market," an industry watcher said.
Doosan embraces Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, a power plant and equipment unit and Doosan Infracore, which makes construction equipment, forklifts, engines and defense products as the key affiliates.
The group is looking at new growth engines by planning to sell hybrid excavators and commercialize mega wind power generators in the next two years on top of its mainstay businesses.
Current businesses of the 114-year-old Doosan Group range from power plants, desalination facilities, construction, heavy equipment, to diesel vessel engines.
The group is the country's 10th largest conglomerate by assets, excluding public companies such as Korea Electric Power Corp. or KEPCO.