DOOSAN Group is a prominent South Korean business conglomerate with a corporate history dating back to 1896, when entrepreneur Park Seung-jik established the Park Seung-jik Store in Seoul. Over the subsequent 130 years, DOOSAN has undergone significant transformation, evolving from a retail and consumer goods trader into a diversified industrial group with major interests in energy, power generation, construction equipment, robotics, hydrogen, fuel cells, advanced materials, logistics, semiconductors, and digital technology. 1

As of 2026, DOOSAN identifies as Korea’s oldest company and is increasingly positioning its portfolio at the intersection of energy and artificial intelligence. This strategic focus encompasses gas turbines, nuclear and small modular reactors (SMRs), hydrogen technologies, AI-enabled construction equipment, robotics, and infrastructure for data centres. 2

The current chairman of DOOSAN is Jeongwon Park, who has placed particular emphasis on energy solutions and growth strategies suited to the AI era. 3

The name DOOSAN (斗山) carries specific symbolic meaning derived from Hanja characters:

• 斗 (Do/Du): Refers to a traditional unit of measurement for grain.
• 山 (San): Means mountain.

Metaphorically, DOOSAN interprets this combination as representing small quantities of grain accumulating to form a mountain. This imagery signifies that substantial achievements are realised through the aggregation of many small contributions. 4 This concept aligns with the group’s corporate philosophy, which emphasises collective effort to accomplish goals beyond the capacity of any single individual.

DOOSAN traces its origins to the late Joseon period. In 1896, Park Seung-jik opened a small modern store in Baeohgae, Jongno, Seoul, an event the group recognises as the foundation of its corporate history and its status as Korea’s oldest company. 5 Unlike its current identity as an engineering and industrial heavyweight, the enterprise began primarily as a retail and trading business.

Early Development Timeline

• 1896: Establishment of Park Seung-jik Store.
• 1915: Commencement of Bakgabun cosmetic powder production.
• 1920s: Bakgabun gains popularity as a consumer product in Korea.
• 1925: Reorganisation of Park Seung-jik Store under the name DOOSAN Store.

These early decades established a commercial identity distinct from the heavy industrial focus seen today. 6

Following the Korean War, DOOSAN expanded rapidly. The establishment of DOOSAN Trading Company in 1951 provided a platform for broader commercial activities, followed by the founding of Oriental Brewery in 1952, which later became associated with OB Beer. 7

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the group diversified into international trading, brewing, food and beverages, construction, machinery, media, and cultural businesses. This period marked DOOSAN’s transition from a traditional commercial enterprise into a large Korean conglomerate, or chaebol. 8

Adoption of the DOOSAN Name

In 1978, the group adopted the name DOOSAN Group, replacing the previous designation of OB Group. This change reflected the increasing diversification of the business portfolio beyond brewing and consumer goods, signalling a shift towards a broader industrial identity rooted in the legacy of the original Park Seung-jik Store. 9

From the 1990s onwards, DOOSAN executed a strategic pivot away from consumer-oriented businesses toward sectors fundamental to economic infrastructure, including electricity, power generation, heavy machinery, construction equipment, water treatment, desalination, and industrial infrastructure. The group describes this evolution as a move towards businesses addressing essential human needs such as energy, clean water, roads, infrastructure, and buildings. 10 Consequently, the brand is now more closely associated with power plants, excavators, turbines, and robotics than with consumer products.

Restructuring and Global Acquisition

The late 1990s necessitated extensive restructuring following the Asian financial crisis. In 1998, DOOSAN Corporation was established to create a more integrated management structure, incorporating Business Group (BG) and Business Unit (BU) systems. 11 The strategic objective during this period was to divest mature businesses and acquire stronger industrial assets to build global competitiveness.

A pivotal moment in this global expansion occurred in 2007 with the acquisition of Bobcat and related businesses from Ingersoll Rand. This transaction secured DOOSAN a leading global position in compact construction equipment, including skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders, mini excavators, and portable power equipment. Today, DOOSAN Bobcat stands as one of the group’s most recognisable international entities, described as a global leader in compact equipment, material handling, and grounds maintenance. 12

DOOSAN Enerbility

DOOSAN Enerbility serves as the successor to the group’s heavy industry and power generation operations. Its portfolio includes:

• Power Generation: Gas turbines, steam turbines, generators, and conventional power systems.
• Nuclear Technology: Nuclear power plant equipment, reactor components, small modular reactors (SMRs), and nuclear supply chains.
• Next-Generation Energy: Offshore wind, hydrogen turbines, and energy transition infrastructure.
• Water Solutions: Desalination and water treatment technologies.

DOOSAN Enerbility positions itself as a provider of integrated solutions spanning power generation, casting and forging, water treatment, and renewable energy. 13

Gas Turbines and Energy Infrastructure

Gas turbines have become central to DOOSAN’s strategy. The group developed Korea’s first domestically produced gas turbine, reducing reliance on foreign technology in this critical sector. 14 This capability is increasingly relevant in the context of AI expansion, as data centres require massive amounts of reliable electricity. DOOSAN’s current strategy links these elements: AI → data centres → electricity demand → gas turbines → nuclear → SMRs → hydrogen → energy infrastructure.

At CES 2026, Chairman Jeongwon Park articulated the objective of pioneering the energy market in the AI era through customised solutions featuring gas turbines, SMRs, and hydrogen fuel cells. 15

DOOSAN Robotics

Established in 2015, DOOSAN Robotics focuses on collaborative robots (cobots) designed to operate safely alongside humans. 16 Applications span manufacturing, assembly, welding, machine tending, palletising, logistics, and inspection. The division emphasises AI-powered robotic solutions, marking a strategic shift from traditional mechanical engineering toward intelligent automation. 17

DOOSAN Bobcat and Autonomous Machinery

The Bobcat brand maintains a strong presence in North America and Europe with products including compact loaders, mini excavators, compact tractors, and attachments. DOOSAN is currently advancing this portfolio toward AI and autonomous machinery. At CES 2026, Bobcat demonstrated AI-enabled construction equipment designed to enhance autonomy and ease of operation. 18 Furthermore, in June 2026, DOOSAN Bobcat announced a partnership with MAUM.AI to explore autonomous task technology using Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models. 19 This reflects a conceptual shift from manufacturing simple excavators to developing intelligent machines capable of understanding and executing complex tasks.

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

DOOSAN has invested significantly in hydrogen technology through DOOSAN Fuel Cell, which focuses on stationary fuel cell technology, and DOOSAN Mobility Innovation, which develops hydrogen-powered drones and mobility systems. 20 The group’s activities encompass hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen turbines, power systems, and distributed energy applications, aiming to create a lower-carbon energy ecosystem.

Other Key Businesses

• Advanced Materials: Production of copper-clad laminates (CCL) and electronic materials for semiconductor applications. 21
• Semiconductors: DOOSAN Tesna provides post-processing and testing services. 22
• Hydraulics: DOOSAN Mottrol manufactures hydraulic motors, pumps, valves, and e-Drive systems for industrial machinery. 23
• Logistics Automation: DOOSAN Logistics Solutions offers warehouse automation and system integration involving automated guided vehicles, robots, and drones. 24
• Digital Technology: Maintenance of digital and IT businesses supporting industrial transformation.

AI has emerged as a primary strategic theme for DOOSAN, specifically applied to the physical world rather than software development. This “Physical AI” strategy integrates across several domains:

• AI + Energy: Supplying power generation technology to meet the electricity demands of AI data centres.
• AI + Construction: Developing semi-autonomous, voice-controlled, and connected machinery through DOOSAN Bobcat.
• AI + Robotics: Enabling collaborative robots to perform increasingly complex tasks via DOOSAN Robotics.
• AI + Logistics: Combining robots and automated equipment for warehouse automation.

Initiatives in 2026 include collaborations focused on AI factories, data centres, robotics, and construction equipment. 25

The DOOSAN Credo

The group’s management philosophy, known as the DOOSAN Credo, emphasises people, teamwork, profitability, innovation, integrity, safety, and social responsibility. 26 A core tenet is the concept of “2G” (Growth of Business by Growth of People), which posits that human development is the fundamental driver of sustainable corporate growth. 27

Visual Identity

In 2022, DOOSAN unveiled a new corporate identity, replacing the historic “Three Squares” motif to reflect a more dynamic, agile, and future-oriented organisation. The new primary brand colour, “Endeavour Blue,” symbolises initiative, positivity, determination, and a willingness to embrace new challenges. This rebranding attempts to synthesise the group’s 130-year heritage with its capacity for reinvention.

While Korean in origin, much of DOOSAN’s modern business is international, driven by power plants, construction equipment, nuclear technology, and manufacturing facilities worldwide. The acquisition of Bobcat was instrumental in establishing this global equipment business. 28

In sports, the DOOSAN Bears professional baseball team traces its lineage to the OB Bears, founded in 1982 as Korea’s first professional baseball club. 29 The group also sponsors golf tournaments, including The Open and the DOOSAN Match Play in Korea, extending brand visibility beyond industrial markets. 30

• 1896: Park Seung-jik Store founded in Seoul. 31
• 1915: Production of Bakgabun cosmetic powder begins.
• 1925: Renamed DOOSAN Store.
• 1951: DOOSAN Trading Company established.
• 1952: Oriental Brewery established.
• 1960s: Diversification into construction, machinery, food, beverages, and media.
• 1978: Renamed from OB Group to DOOSAN Group.
• 1982: OB Bears founded (later DOOSAN Bears).
• 1990s: Major restructuring and shift toward heavy industry.
• 1998: DOOSAN Corporation established. 32
• 2007: Acquisition of Bobcat.
• 2015: DOOSAN Robotics established. 33
• 2022: New corporate identity and Endeavour Blue introduced. 34
• 2023: Opening of DOOSAN Heritage 1896 museum. 35
• 2026: Strategic focus on Energy, AI, robotics, autonomous equipment, hydrogen, SMRs, and data centre infrastructure.

Within the Korean corporate landscape, DOOSAN is distinctively industrial and B2B-oriented compared to peers like Samsung or LG. While other conglomerates are associated with consumer electronics or automobiles, DOOSAN specialises in the machines and infrastructure that enable other industries to build, manufacture, and generate power.

As of 2026, DOOSAN’s strategy is defined by six key pillars: Energy (gas turbines, nuclear, SMRs, hydrogen), AI applied to physical industries, Physical AI in robotics and machinery, Data Centre Infrastructure, Robotics, and Autonomous Construction. These themes were prominently featured in the group’s 2026 activities, including exhibitions at CES and CONEXPO. 36

Ultimately, DOOSAN is characterised not by a single product line but by its ability to reinvent itself over 130 years. From a small retail store to a global provider of energy systems and intelligent infrastructure, the brand’s defining characteristic remains its continuous adaptation to the changing demands of the physical economy. 37

1. Doosan Story : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
2. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
3. Doosan Heritage 1896 : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
4. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
5. ENERGY TOWARD
6. Business Highlights : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
7. Business Highlights : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
8. Affiliates : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
9. Doosan Enerbility
10. Overview : About Us : Doosan Robotics
11. Affiliates : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
12. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
13. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
14. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
15. Our Belief : Doosan Mobility Innovation
16. Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
17. Code of Conduct : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
18. 경영철학 : 두산그룹 | (주)두산
19. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
20. Brand : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
21. About the History Museum : Doosan Heritage 1896
22. Brand : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
23. Doosan Heritage 1896
24. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
25. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
26. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
27. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
28. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
29. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
30. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
31. PR Center : Doosan Heritage 1896
32. [보도자료]두산, 역사관 ‘두산 헤리티지 1896’개관…”두산의 역사가 곧 대한민국 기업사” < 뉴스 < 두산뉴스룸
33. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
34. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
35. Terms of Use : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
36. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation
37. Press Release : Doosan Group | Doosan Corporation