Miwon Specialty Chemical Donates to Columbia – Richland Fire Department | Press Conference
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Miwon Specialty Chemical has officially opened its first US-based manufacturing facility in Columbia, South Carolina, marking a significant milestone in the company's global expansion strategy that began with operations starting in 1983 in South Korea. The plant, which commenced production of UV curing polyurethane in February 2022, was established to strengthen local supply capabilities and reflect the corporation's deep commitment to quality, innovation, and customer focus within North America. This strategic decision to build specifically in Columbia was driven by several key factors, including proximity to a major seaport, convenient access to interstate highways, affordable land costs, and the availability of skilled labor supported by welcoming local organizations such as the fire and police departments.
Celebrating its first year of profitability in 2025, Miwon Specialty Chemical chose to give back to the community that facilitated this success through a generous donation to the Columbia Richland County Fire Department. The company presented three Air NFPA3 air regulators designed to enhance firefighter safety during critical operations. These devices represent a vital upgrade from traditional bulky tanks worn on firefighters' backs, offering a more efficient and flexible solution for breathing support in hazardous environments where every second counts.
Fire Chief Aubry Jenkins accepted the donation on behalf of his team, emphasizing how much this equipment means to their daily missions involving confined space rescues or other high-risk incidents. The new regulators allow firefighters to connect directly via hoses attached to a belt-mounted unit rather than carrying heavy tanks, enabling them to reach areas up to 300 feet away and run multiple air lines simultaneously from a single source. This technological advancement not only extends the range of safe operations but also significantly reduces physical strain on personnel during emergencies.
The presentation concluded with heartfelt gratitude expressed by both parties, highlighting the strong partnership between Miwon Specialty Chemical and local emergency services. By investing in such essential safety equipment, the company demonstrated its ongoing dedication to fostering a safer environment for first responders while reinforcing the positive relationship built over time through mutual support and community engagement efforts that define their presence in South Carolina.
Read the full video transcript
Good afternoon. My name is Tom Maden. I
am the site manager here at Miwan
Specialty Chemical. I would like to
welcome our distinguished guests from
the Columbia Richmond County Fire
Department. Our parent company, Miwan
Specialty Chemical, started operations
in 1983 in South Korea. The vision was
to become the leading global
manufacturer and supplier of high
performance chemical products. To
realize this vision, M1 Specialty
Chemicals started building chemical
plants around the world. To this end,
the first US-based production facility
started construction in 2019,
culminating in the facility that you see
to here to my left. We would we at MI1
US started the first batch of UV curing
polyurethane in February of 2022 and we
have not looked back. From the desk of
HWK, our chairman of the board, the
opening of MI1 specialty chemicals first
US manufacturing plant marked a
milestone in the company's global
expansion. This investment strengthens
local supply capabilities and reflects
MSSE's commitment to the quality,
innovation, and customer focus risks in
the North America.
The decision to build here in Columbia,
South Carolina was based upon a few key
factors which include proximity to a
major seapport, easy access to major
highways, affordable land, welcoming co
county organizations like the fire and
police departments, and availability of
free labor.
In 2025, we celebrated our first year of
profitability. And in celebration of
reaching the major milestone, MI1
Specialy Chemicals is pleased to donate
back to the community that has made this
endeavor a huge success. With safety
being number one priority at ME1, it is
our honor to be able to support the
Columbia Richland County Fire Rescue
Teams by donating these three Air NFPA3
air regulators. to accept this donation.
I'd like to ask Fire Chief Aubry Jenkins
to come forward and say a few words.
>> Thank uh Lewon for this this donation.
This means a lot to our firefighters. It
means a lot to when we go on scenes uh
to have this type of equipment with us.
Normally when a firefighter go into a
confined space um or rescue or uh some
kind of hash matter or whatever then we
are we have those bulky uh tanks on our
back. This will allow us to hook up to a
regulator just hook a hose kn to a
regulator that is on our belt and to be
able to breathe from a source.
With with this device, we can not only
go deeper into areas, we can go two to
300 feet uh hook hooking holes up to go
two to 300 feet, but also it allows us
to run multiple uh lines off of that uh
uh regulate as well. So, we really
appreciate this donation. It means the
world uh for me want to make this
donation to us because it is solely
needed. So on behalf of the the Columbia
rest fire department and all these men
that's standing behind me, I just want
to say thank you to me one for making
this donation.
>> [music]