The data above reflects current corporate information, with Namyang describing its evolution from a leading domestic food company into a global comprehensive food enterprise.1

Foundation: 1964–1988

Namyang Dairy Products was established on March 13, 1964, with early development closely tied to infant nutrition and the modernization of the Korean dairy industry.1 A significant milestone occurred in 1967 when the company produced Namyang Formula, which it describes as Korea’s first infant formula. Manufacturing capabilities expanded during this period, including the completion of the Cheonan factory in 1965.1

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Namyang broadened its dairy offerings. In 1977, it began producing Namyang yogurt using lactic-acid bacteria and subsequently established additional manufacturing facilities. By 1988, the company reported annual sales of ₩100 billion.1

Expansion and product diversification: 1990–2023

The 1990s marked a period of rapid diversification for the company. Key developments included:

• 1991: Introduction of Bulgaris, a fermented-milk product.
• 1993: Launch of the Imperial infant-formula line.
• 1994/1996: Development and expansion of Einstein milk and IO yogurt.
• 1998: Attainment of ISO 9001 quality-management certification.
• 2002: Completion of the Cheonan automated production facility and development of Ketonia, a liquid ketone-producing food.
• 2003: Launch of Delicious Milk GT.
• 2005: Introduction of the 17 Tea beverage.
• 2008: Completion of the Naju factory.
• 2009: Introduction of spoonable Bulgaris and achievement of ₩1 trillion in sales.
• 2014: Expansion into the premium dessert business with Baekmidang.
• 2017: Expansion of Bulgaris products and Wissen.
• 2022: Entry into the protein market with TAKEFit.1

This era transformed Namyang from a predominantly dairy and infant-nutrition firm into a diversified food and beverage manufacturer.

A new phase: 2024 onward

Namyang designates the period from 2024 onward as “Changing Namyang.” In March 2024, the company underwent a change in major shareholders and introduced an executive-officer system, subsequently emphasizing compliance, corporate governance, social responsibility, and a renewed corporate identity.4

The current corporate message centers on “Healthy Beginning,” presented not merely as a marketing slogan but as a foundational organizational principle.4

Namyang maintains a broad portfolio that extends beyond its historical association with dairy and infant formula. Current product categories include:

• Infant formula
• Baby food
• Milk
• Cheese
• Fermented milk
• Yogurt
• Coffee
• Protein and grain products
• Soy milk
• Tea
• Other beverages
• Home-delivery dairy products
• Food-service products1

Prominent product families include Bulgaris, Delicious Milk GT, 17 Tea, IO, Einstein, TAKEFit, and various infant-formula lines.1

Infant nutrition

Infant nutrition remains a historically significant sector for Namyang. The company traces its specialized formula expertise to its founding and states it has accumulated over six decades of nutritional research and development data.1 Namyang describes itself as Korea’s first specialized-formula company, dating this capability to 1964, and its international business includes infant formula, baby food, and nutritional products.1

Dairy

Dairy products are central to Namyang’s identity, covering conventional milk as well as fermented dairy and yogurt. Delicious Milk GT serves as a flagship milk product; the company notes that it reached its 20th anniversary in 2024 with cumulative sales of 14 billion units.1

Bulgaris

Bulgaris is one of Namyang’s most recognizable fermented-milk brands. Originally launched in 1991, the line has expanded to include spoonable and other specialized versions, playing a key role in establishing the company’s presence in the Korean fermented-dairy market.1

Coffee

Coffee represents a major area of diversification for Namyang. Expanding into this category in the 2010s, the company developed manufacturing capabilities covering bean sorting, roasting, extraction, concentration, and freeze-drying.2 Coffee now sits alongside dairy, infant nutrition, and beverages in the corporate portfolio, reflecting its transition to a broader food company.

17 Tea

Introduced in 2005, 17 Tea is a beverage brand based on a blend of 17 different types of tea. It has become one of Namyang’s recognizable non-dairy beverage products.1

TAKEFit

In 2022, Namyang entered the protein market with TAKEFit, extending its reach beyond traditional dairy and infant-nutrition categories.1

Research and product development have long been priorities for Namyang. The company operates five factories and one central research institute in Korea; the latter is located in Sejong and focuses on food research and product development.1

International production and food-safety systems incorporate standards and certifications including FSSC 22000, HACCP, HALAL, U.S. PMO, and Rainforest Alliance-related certification.1 The company’s research history spans decades, having begun investing in an independent R&D center in 1981 to support long-term advancements in nutritional and food-processing technology.3

While fundamentally a South Korean company, Namyang exports to more than 35 countries. Its international portfolio comprises:

• Infant formula
• Baby food
• Dairy products
• Health-functional foods
• Coffee
• Beverages
• OEM/ODM products

Namyang highlights its expertise in infant formula exports, noting that it became the first Korean company to meet China’s formula-export standards in 2017. It also states that it ranked first in Korean infant-formula exports to China from 2020 to 2022.1 Additionally, the company operates OEM/ODM capabilities to develop products according to specific customer requirements and local market conditions.1

Namyang’s current corporate identity is anchored by the phrase “Healthy Beginning.” The visual identity was inspired by Delicious Milk GT, featuring a soft, curved typeface and a smile-like form. The primary red color is designated “Healthy Red,” while dark gray symbolizes the concept of a beginning.4

This philosophy aims to connect products with the start of everyday healthy routines, whether through breakfast milk, infant nutrition, yogurt, coffee, or other foods and beverages.4

A significant chapter in Namyang’s recent history began in 2024 with a change in major shareholders and the introduction of an executive-officer system, described in official records as an effort to establish a new direction.4 The company subsequently emphasized:

• Compliance management
• Corporate governance
• Ethical and transparent management
• ESG initiatives
• Social contribution
• Stronger internal management systems

In 2024, Namyang established a Compliance Committee and announced measures to strengthen compliance and management. It also introduced the “Healthy Partnership” CSR slogan and expanded support programs for vulnerable groups.4 According to the corporate website, the current CEO is Kim Seung-eon, and the renewed strategy aims to position Namyang as a more sustainable and trusted food company.4

Namyang places considerable emphasis on ESG and social responsibility, with stated focus areas including:

• Environmental responsibility
• Sustainable management
• Partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders
• Support for vulnerable groups
• Employee participation
• Compliance and ethical management

The company terms this approach “Healthy Management,” linking product quality with responsible corporate behavior.4

Namyang is recognized as one of South Korea’s historically significant dairy and processed-food companies, alongside competitors such as Seoul Milk and Maeil. Its historical significance stems from its role in:

1. Developing Korea’s infant-formula industry.
2. Expanding domestic dairy production.
3. Developing fermented-milk and yogurt products.
4. Diversifying into coffee and beverages.
5. Developing specialized nutritional products.
6. Building an international food-export business.

Rather than remaining a conventional milk producer, Namyang has evolved into a multi-category food and beverage company with a portfolio stretching from infant formula to coffee, tea, protein products, and beverages.1

• 1964 — Namyang Dairy Products founded.
• 1965 — Cheonan factory completed.
• 1967 — Namyang Formula produced.
• 1977 — Namyang yogurt produced.
• 1981 — Investment in independent R&D begins.
• 1985 — Korea’s first special formula introduced, according to Namyang.
• 1991 — Bulgaris launched.
• 1993 — Imperial formula introduced.
• 1996 — IO yogurt produced.
• 1998 — ISO 9001 certification.
• 2002 — New automated Cheonan factory completed; Ketonia developed.
• 2003 — Delicious Milk GT launched.
• 2005 — 17 Tea introduced.
• 2008 — Naju factory completed.
• 2009 — Sales surpass ₩1 trillion.
• 2014 — Baekmidang premium-dessert business begins.
• 2017 — China formula-export standards achieved.
• 2022 — TAKEFit launches, entering the protein market.
• 2024 — Major shareholder change, executive-officer system, and renewed corporate direction.
• 2024 onward — “Healthy Beginning” becomes the central theme of the company’s new corporate identity.1

1. 남양유업
2. NAMYANG
3. Giới thiệu – Namyang
4. 건강한 시작, 남양유업 기업 사이트 입니다.