Daedong Corp., parent company to Kioti Tractor, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
“The spirit of innovation that fueled the company’s founding remains our guiding principle today as we develop quality products that meet the needs of our customers around the world,” said J.S. Kim, chairman and CEO of Daedong Corporation and chairman of Daedong-USA. “We’re proud of the impact Daedong Corp. has had on the global agricultural industry.”
In 1947, Sam-Man Kim founded Daedong Corp. alongside his four brothers. As Korea battled famine in the wake of World War II, the need for agricultural mechanization fueled Kim’s determination and creativity. The brothers’ work resulted in machines that increased food production throughout a critical time during Korea’s industrialization.
Today, Daedong exports to 70 countries, and this past year, the company produced Korea’s first 3.8-liter diesel engine, launched the country’s first remote-controlled and autonomous tractor series and entered the e-mobility market.
Kioti Tractor, a division of Daedong-USA, has been providing equipment across North America for more than 35 years. With more than 60 tractor models, 12 zero-turn-radius mowers, five utility vehicle models and an expansion into compact construction in late 2022, Kioti strives to increase offerings to meet customer needs.
In late 2019, Kioti completed a $13 million renovation of its North American headquarters, including a new training facility for dealers. Following this expansion, Kioti opened a distribution center in Mississauga, Ontario.