Stories | April 3, 2023
Introducing Sangbaek (SB) Lee, Performance Manager
We are pleased to shine our spotlight on SB Lee who joined Hyosung in 2015. Little did he know at the time when he graduated from Korea University that he would begin his career in textiles with the largest manufacturer of spandex! However, SB has used his major in Education to help educate brands on the unique benefits of our sustainable performance fibers – and most specifically our creora® spandex – to help them with their product development needs. SB will be headed to the US next week to join us at the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, OR April 4-5. If you are attending, please stop by our booth 1413A to say, “Hi!” In the meantime, please enjoy the Q & A with SB!
How did you get your start the textile industry?
I majored in Education at Korea University and applied to the Human Resource Development department upon graduating thinking I would do something in this field. Through this process, a company, which happened to be Hyosung was interested in hiring me to be on the Marketing Team for its spandex unit. As Hyosung is the global leader in the manufacture of spandex, I accepted the position. That is how my journey in textiles started – a totally unexpected career direction, but an adventure I’ve enjoyed for over eight years now!
How has sustainable fiber innovation influenced your position at Hyosung?
Sustainability has become more than a trend in the apparel industry. Brands expect textile suppliers to offer eco-friendly solutions to help them with their diverse sustainability programs. A big part of my job is working with apparel brands where consistent communication with them is critical and necessary. Prior to the heightened sustainability movement within the apparel industry, it was tough to grab product developers’ attention because they were more interested in the product, not the specific ‘ingredients’ or yarns that go into making one. But over the last few years, it has been easier to connect with brands due to our broad eco-friendly, multi-function fiber offering, which have provided numerous sustainable textile solutions across the value chain to help meet their needs. That’s wonderful! I can do more things and deliver more powerful messages with good tools!
What do you like best about your role at Hyosung?
One of the first stages in working with a brand is to do an analysis of its situation and then develop a strategy that provides meaningful solutions. I enjoy thinking about the strategy and feeling happy when a customer is satisfied, which ultimately results in good sales. In addition, as Hyosung is a global company, I have the good fortune to co-work with a global team. This is also fantastic, and I feel like I’m the center of the world!
Who are a few people who inspire you and why?
All my fantastic colleagues at Hyosung, I think. I’ve worked with many great people both professionally and personally. I can’t specify only one person, but many people who inspire me and have given happiness to me. Not only the team based in our Seoul headquarters, but those on our global team too. I am constantly learning new things from them due to their different insight and cultural backgrounds.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to travel so I love to go on a trip abroad during my vacation. Including my business trips, I’ve visited more than 20 countries. I also enjoy many forms of exercise. I was in a basketball club when I was a college student and recently played basketball with my Hyosung colleagues. Jogging and hiking are also a couple of my favorite activities.
What are you looking forward to this year?
It’s the YEAR that is very important to me! I was just promoted as Performance Manager and am very happy to have demonstrated enhanced performance. Personally, I hope to meet my fiancé a- at last! In Korea, it’s the year of Rabbit, and I was born in the year of the Rabbit. So, I feel like it’s my year and can have many happy things. Blessings to me and those all around me!
