“What's the easiest way for me to clean the house?”
This homemaker's question has led to the development of a new product based on a new idea. It is a steam cleaner, developed by Haan Corporation for the first time in the world.
Romi Haan, the founder of Haan Corporation, was a public servant and a mother. One day when cleaning the floor at home on hands and knees, she thought, “This would be a lot easier if I could mop the house with steam.”
It took three years for her to develop the idea into a new product. She underwent many trials and errors, and even experienced financial difficulties. Haan's first steam cleaner was developed in 2001. Users were able to clean their homes with a mop equipped with a cleaning pad which moved hundreds of times per minute via an electric motor. They were able to do it easily, as the machine wasn't heavy. Once water is filled in its tank, the machine creates steam within one minute, which cleans while removing germs and fine dust.
Having developed a steam cleaner, however, did not immediately lead to sales. This was because the company was unable to find any distribution channels. The product slowly gained popularity by word of mouth instead. It also eventually saw sensational sales through home shopping channels.
Haan Corporation launched another product based on steam in 2006: a steam iron. Irons have for many years had a steam function. People had to use an ironing board when using a conventional iron, which caused a bit of inconvenience. Haan's steam iron, however, allows users to stand up when ironing their clothes as they hang on a wall. This product can also deodorize and sterilize, helping to keep the clothes fresher and looking sharp.
Haan's steam cleaners and steam irons account for 80 percent and 70 percent of the market share in Korea in their respective categories, keeping the top positions. Haan Corporation's products are exported to about 10 countries, including the U.S., China and Japan. The company established a local subsidiary in Pennsylvania in 2007. Within the first three years of exports, the firm recorded overseas sales of KRW 100 billion. In 2012, steam cleaners were sold out on QVC, the No. 1 U.S. home shopping channel.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
This homemaker's question has led to the development of a new product based on a new idea. It is a steam cleaner, developed by Haan Corporation for the first time in the world.
Romi Haan, the founder of Haan Corporation, was a public servant and a mother. One day when cleaning the floor at home on hands and knees, she thought, “This would be a lot easier if I could mop the house with steam.”
It took three years for her to develop the idea into a new product. She underwent many trials and errors, and even experienced financial difficulties. Haan's first steam cleaner was developed in 2001. Users were able to clean their homes with a mop equipped with a cleaning pad which moved hundreds of times per minute via an electric motor. They were able to do it easily, as the machine wasn't heavy. Once water is filled in its tank, the machine creates steam within one minute, which cleans while removing germs and fine dust.
Having developed a steam cleaner, however, did not immediately lead to sales. This was because the company was unable to find any distribution channels. The product slowly gained popularity by word of mouth instead. It also eventually saw sensational sales through home shopping channels.
A steam cleaner (above) and a steam iron. The idea of cleaning the floor with steam came from the inventor's everyday experience and led to the birth of these two new products.
Haan Corporation launched another product based on steam in 2006: a steam iron. Irons have for many years had a steam function. People had to use an ironing board when using a conventional iron, which caused a bit of inconvenience. Haan's steam iron, however, allows users to stand up when ironing their clothes as they hang on a wall. This product can also deodorize and sterilize, helping to keep the clothes fresher and looking sharp.
Haan's steam cleaners and steam irons account for 80 percent and 70 percent of the market share in Korea in their respective categories, keeping the top positions. Haan Corporation's products are exported to about 10 countries, including the U.S., China and Japan. The company established a local subsidiary in Pennsylvania in 2007. Within the first three years of exports, the firm recorded overseas sales of KRW 100 billion. In 2012, steam cleaners were sold out on QVC, the No. 1 U.S. home shopping channel.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
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