CJ OliveNetworks will build a smart factory for premium distilled soju producer Soju Story, the companies announced.
Soju Story, an agricultural corporation, is a subsidiary of Naracella, a distributor that exclusively imports more than 120 brands and 500 varieties of world wine to Korea. Since last year, Naracella has been actively developing and manufacturing premium distilled spirits that reinterpret traditional Korean distilled soju for modern markets. In August, the company held a groundbreaking ceremony for the “Soju Story Andong Soju Smart Factory” in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
Leveraging extensive smart-factory experience, CJ OliveNetworks brings smart manufacturing and logistics technologies specialized for the food & beverage and bio industries. The award of the contract reflects the company’s technical competitiveness in the beverage sector and its successful prior deployments.
CJ OliveNetworks will upgrade the full production process—from raw material intake through fermentation, distillation, storage and maturation, to bottling—optimizing material flow, preventing cross-contamination, and designing efficient worker movement to create an ideal production environment.
The project will deliver a customer-tailored smart factory design, supply of advanced global infrastructure equipment, and collaborative integration with specialist firms in relevant fields. The companies plan to complete the unique Soju Story facility by the first half of next year.
Soju Story expects the new smart-factory infrastructure and advanced technology provided by CJ OliveNetworks to enable data-driven productivity improvements and consistent, high-quality product output.
Kim Hyun-min, Soju Story director and head of plant operations, said, “Based on CJ OliveNetworks’ smart-factory experience and capabilities in the F&B sector, we expect to establish a world-class production foundation for K‑distilled spirits.”
Song Won-chul, head of Smart Logistics & Factory at CJ OliveNetworks, said, “The Soju Story smart factory will set a new standard in traditional alcohol manufacturing. We will actively support Soju Story’s global competitiveness with CJ OliveNetworks’ technology and know-how.”
Through the contract, CJ OliveNetworks aims to further expand its smart-factory footprint in the food & beverage industry and strengthen its position as an AX-leading company driving clients’ digital transformation.
