Every other year, TYM North America selects dealers to visit Korea for the Dealer Korea Trip. Thirteen dealers are invited to explore TYM’s facilities, meet the headquarters team, learn more about the company and its processes, provide feedback, and immerse themselves in South Korean culture.
Tony and the other dealers arrived in Seoul from across the U.S. throughout the day. Each group was greeted by TYM representatives, including Kurt Jeon, Head of Overseas Sales, and his team, who ensured that everyone made it safely to their hotel, the Inspire Entertainment Resort. By evening, the group gathered under a massive ceiling screen displaying vibrant scenes of whales, forests, and oceans as they enjoyed their first Korean barbecue together, a perfect icebreaker for the start of the adventure.
On the second day, the dealers boarded TYM buses and headed to the Iksan factory. Tony described it as “stepping into the future. It was spotless, bright, and full of automated systems. Robots and carts moved along rails, and a huge touchscreen display showed who was working on which tractor in real time.” He added, “It was clear TYM listens to its customers and adds the features people want. They even showed us some exciting new developments, exceptionally well-built and clearly tailored to customer feedback.”
For lunch, the group traveled into the mountains beside a beautiful lake to a Brazilian barbecue restaurant called Lee’s Churrasco. The scenery was picturesque, with mountains, calm waters, and fresh air creating the perfect backdrop for great food and conversation.
Day three took the dealers to the Okcheon factory, where they discussed parts and service improvements before enjoying another delicious lunch at the TYM cafeteria. Afterwards, the group returned to Seoul, checked into their hotel in Myeongdong, and enjoyed Korean fried chicken for dinner before exploring the lively, safe streets of the city.
Day four was equally eventful. The group visited TYM’s new headquarters, where they met leadership team members including Vice President Peter Kim, CEO Kim, and Chairman Kim. Tony shared, “We got to meet some of the people who play a part in making the machinery I know and love.” Later, the dealers visited a Korean Folk Village, dressed in hanbok (traditional Korean attire), and ended the day with another Korean barbecue cooked right at the table.
On the final day, the group visited the Namsan Seoul Tower, originally a Cold War signal monitoring site, now offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city. “It was the perfect way to wrap up our cultural tour,” Tony said. After a final lunch, the group explored Gyeongbokgung Palace in traditional outfits, visited Namdaemun Market, and concluded the trip with a formal farewell dinner back at the hotel.
Tony reflected, “In the end, it was more than just a thank you trip, it was a look into TYM’s dedication and the warmth of Korean hospitality. I came back with a deeper appreciation and some great new connections.”