E-Sharp News June 2025

YesTool, founded in 1994 by CEO Lee Jung-soo, has carved a niche in the tool industry by consistently focusing on innovation. The company is renowned for being the first in Korea—and the world—to develop indexable drills in 1998, building on its earlier success with solid carbide drills. These cutting tools are widely utilised across industries, including construction, automotive, and shipbuilding, highlighting the company's versatile product applications.

YesTool operates with the core belief that "creation is the power of technology." This philosophy has been pivotal in its journey, propelling the company to consistently develop groundbreaking products. Lee attributes YesTool's success to its unwavering commitment to innovation, drawing inspiration from ANCA's co-founder Pat Boland.

Mr. Lee said, “I have a lot of respect for Mr. Pat Boland. When I first met him 25 years ago, he also developed ANCA software with new ideas, and that’s why ANCA is now the world’s top machine manufacturer.”

YesTool’s collaboration with ANCA is based on trust and vision

YesTool's partnership with ANCA began 25 years ago, at a time when the company had limited resources. Lee vividly recalls the extraordinary support provided by Pat Boland, who approved the sale of YesTool's first ANCA machine on a one-year credit—a gesture Lee describes as unheard of in the industry, and one that sparked a collaboration which has only strengthened over the years.

Recently, YesTool adopted ANCA's advanced automation solutions to tackle the unique challenges of automating its production processes. Reflecting on this success, Mr. Lee shared, “We ordered new equipment and have been very satisfied with it since installation. In the future, we plan to develop our own ZIGs that we can automate and request them from ANCA.”

As a visionary leader, Lee sees automation and the fourth industrial revolution as critical to creating competitive products. He dreams of transforming YesTool into a fully unmanned and automated operation. "The industry will continue to develop, and I believe that fully automating production lines is the key to staying competitive."

Lee emphasises the importance of customer education in ensuring effective product use. With over four decades of experience in the tool industry, he understands that even the best tools can fail if not used correctly.

“Although a cutting tool is a consumable item, a consumer might break it because they don’t know how to use it well. I think the best customer service is teaching people how to use our products so they can use them well. And for tool machine manufacturers, the best service is to make it easy for companies to produce great tools and respond quickly when machines break down,” he explained.

Looking ahead, Lee envisions YesTool as a global brand synonymous with quality and innovation. “Rather than making a lot of money, I want customers worldwide to recognise YesTool as a brand that produces excellent products."

YesTool’s journey from a small operation to an industry leader exemplifies the power of innovation, resilience, and strategic partnerships. With its steadfast commitment to creating groundbreaking products and its collaboration with technology leaders like ANCA, YesTool is well-positioned to shape the future of the tool industry.
 

22 May 2025