What Cesco does

Cesco is South Korea's leading comprehensive environmental hygiene company, founded in 1976 as Jeonwoo Pangje Gongye and rebranded to its current identity in 1996. The company provides integrated pest control, virus and bacteria sterilization, food safety management, air quality management, water purification, professional cleaning, and consumer hygiene products to both residential (B2C) and commercial (B2B) customers across food service, hotels, hospitals, food manufacturers, retail, education, offices, and warehouses. Its technology stack rests on an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) foundation with 2,193 core technologies covering 731+ pest species, the BIO BAIT formulation system (300+ formulations), UV air sterilization claiming 99.99% kill rates for influenza, coronavirus, and pneumonia-causing bacteria, IoT-connected air quality monitoring with six ultra-precision sensors including radon detection, and a KOLAS-accredited foreign matter analysis laboratory operating 21+ specialized analytical methods. Manufacturing capability is anchored by the Cheongju Tech Valley bio factory established in 2009, and a vertically integrated R&D function is housed at the Seoul Touch Center with 18 research teams and 200 researchers plus 100+ doctorate/master's degree holders in electronics, mechanical, and software engineering.

The business operates across four primary revenue streams: (1) subscription-based recurring pest control, hygiene, virus care, and food safety services delivered by 3,500+ field service professionals across 100 domestic branches; (2) consumer hardware sales of air purifiers, water purifiers, bidets, and sterilizing appliances through Cesco Mall (cescomall.co.kr) and Naver Smart Store; (3) professional testing and analysis services, including Korea's only KOLAS-accredited foreign matter analysis center with 2,000+ annual analyses; and (4) the CESCO Members franchise/membership program that places a hygiene certification mark on Naver search results and major delivery apps (Baemin, Yogiyo), reportedly driving 70%+ order volume growth and 97%+ hygiene perception improvement for member businesses. Pricing is quote-based following free on-site diagnosis. Geographic operations span South Korea (primary), China (Shanghai 2003, Beijing 2009, Guangzhou 2015, Xi'an 2014), and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh 2014, Hanoi 2016), with the 2025 launch of the Incheon International Airport Global Airport Quarantine Center marking expansion into large-scale institutional contracts. Multiple ISO certifications (9002, 14001, 27001, 27701, 37001, 45001) and seven designations from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reinforce its compliance positioning. Ownership remains with the founding Jeon family, with second-generation leadership (Jeon Chan-hyuk) assuming the chairmanship in 2023 following the founder's receipt of the Order of Industrial Merit in 2016.

Name

Cesco

Legal name

(주)세스코

Website

https://cesco.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cesco is South Korea's leading comprehensive environmental hygiene company, founded in 1976, providing pest control, virus/bacteria sterilization, food safety management, air/water quality solutions, and consumer hygiene products to 450,000+ residential and commercial customers across 13 place categories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Hygiene Services

NAICS

Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Other Services (except Public Administration) (81)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842)

akta.pro primary industry

Biosecurity, Pest & Disease Control for CEA (IPM, Screening, Sanitation) (AFAAAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

CEA Monitoring, Sensors & Automation Software (SCADA, IoT, Climate/Recipe Control) (AFAAAHAG), Environmental Control & Climate Systems (HVAC, CO₂, Ventilation, Dehumidification) (AFAAAHAB), Water Treatment, Filtration & Recirculation (RO, UV, Sterilization) (AFAAAHAH)

Keywords

• Pest control services
• Environmental hygiene
• Food safety services
• Water purification
• Commercial cleaning

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pest Control and Hygiene Services (B2B & B2C): Recurring service contracts for integrated pest control, virus care, food safety management, air quality management, and professional cleaning. Services are delivered by field service consultants on subscription/recurring basis. B2B covers restaurants, hotels, hospitals, food manufacturers, office buildings, schools. B2C covers households.
2. Environmental Hygiene Products (CESCO Mylab): Sale of environmental hygiene consumer products including disinfectants, hand sanitizers, drain cleaners, and travel kits. Sold through cescomall.co.kr e-commerce platform, Naver Smart Store, and major e-commerce marketplaces.
3. Home Appliances (Air Purifiers, Water Purifiers, Bidets): Sale of air purifiers (including UV sterilization models), water purifiers (Smart-Fit direct water purifiers with color plate customization), and bidets with sterilization functions. Both online and potentially through rental model.
4. Testing and Analysis Services: Foreign matter analysis services (Korea's only specialized institution) and food testing/inspection services. Used by manufacturers and businesses for quality control and contamination investigation.
5. CESCO Members Franchise Program: Franchise/membership program where businesses display the CESCO Members hygiene mark. Membership includes service contracts, marketing benefits (visibility on Naver and delivery apps), and access to CESCO member-only discounts and tools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cesco provides comprehensive environmental hygiene services including pest control, virus care, food safety management, air quality services, water purification, and professional cleaning. The company operates Korea's largest hygiene service network with 100 branches and 3,500+ field service professionals serving both commercial businesses and residential customers nationwide.

Product overview

Cesco is Korea's No.1 comprehensive environmental hygiene company offering a diversified portfolio of solutions and products. The core CESCO Solutions suite covers pest control (integrated, mattress/mite, bed bug, flying pest, mosquito), Virus Care, Food Safety (with labeling consulting and overseas evaluation), Professional Cleaning, and Testing/Analysis services. Environmental appliances include Air Sterilizers, Air Purifiers (Smart-Fit 30), Water Purifiers (Smart-Fit Direct Water Purifier lines), Bidets, and Scent Solutions. The CESCO Mylab sub-brand provides eco-friendly hygiene products with refill packaging. Supporting platforms include WeCheck (consumer hygiene information), WeCheck Biz (business management), and WeCheck Service Report (analytics). Notable award-winning products include the UV Power Air Sterilizer Sense Me (Red Dot), Smart-Fit water purifiers (IF Design Award), BlueOn Art indoor insect trap, Flystick, and Airgenic (Good Design). Services target both residential (home members) and commercial sectors across 13 place categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 세스코 몰 (Cesco Mall): E-commerce platform for purchasing Cesco products and services
• 위챌 (WeCheck)
• 세스코 멤버스 (Cesco Members)
• 세스코 마이랩 (Cesco Mylab)
• 세스코에어 (Cesco Air)
• 세스코워터 (Cesco Water)
• 바이러스케어 (Viruscare)
• 세스코바디케어 (Cesco Body Care)
• 세스코에어퍼퓸 (Cesco Air Perfume)
• 세스코식품안전 (Cesco Food Safety)
• 세스코시험분석 (Cesco Testing Analysis)

Quantifiable outcome

• Members report 97%+ hygiene perception improvement among customers
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Incheon International Airport — Global Airport Quarantine CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025CESCO participated in the launch of Incheon International Airport's Global Airport Quarantine Center in August 2025, providing airport-wide pest control and hygiene management services.
• SBS Baeksong's Alley Food (세스코-SBS 백종원의 골목식당)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Social contribution partnership with SBS's 'Baek Jong-won's Alley Food' program for food safety alley-making initiative, promoting food safety culture in Korean neighborhoods.
• CJ Daehan LogisminorOthersThird-party logistics provider handling delivery operations for CESCO products ordered through cescomall.co.kr e-commerce platform.
• Lotte Global LogisticsminorOthersThird-party logistics provider for CESCO product deliveries.
• BlueInminorOthersDelivery service provider handling CESCO product deliveries.
• DrillersminorOthersDelivery, installation, and after-sales service for CESCO products.
• Baran CareminorOthersDelivery and installation services for CESCO products.
• Clean Care (청정케어)minorOthersDelivery and installation services for CESCO products.
• Daon Home Systems (다온홈시스)minorOthersLead generation and customer consulting services for CESCO.
• CESCO Life CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCESCO Life Care is a subsidiary/affiliate handling rental product sales and services, pest control services, pest control product supply, and Viruscare services. Core operational partner within the CESCO ecosystem.
• Baemin (배달의민족)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Korean food delivery platform. CESCO Members businesses display hygiene certification mark on Baemin app profile, directly driving customer trust and 70%+ order volume increase for member restaurants.
• Yogiyo (요기요)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Korean food delivery platform. CESCO Members displayed on Yogiyo with hygiene certification mark, driving trust and order volume for member businesses.
• KidZaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCESCO operates an experience center at KidZania Seoul Lotte World where children ages 3-16 experience CESCO's environmental hygiene solutions through interactive games. Brand awareness building and educational outreach.
• Korean Association of Industrial Hygiene (대한산업보건협회) — Multiple Regional BranchesminorOthersHealth counseling and management services across 14 regional branches (Gyeonggi North, Incheon, Chungnam, Chungbuk, Gyeongbuk, Jeonbuk, Gwangju, Jeju, Ulsan, Busan South, Seoul, Daejeon Sejong).

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Rollins Inc. Parent of Orkin and other pest control brands, and one of the largest pest control companies globally. Comparable on core pest control service model and recurring residential/commercial contracts, but operating primarily in North America.
• Rentokil Initial: Global leader in pest control and hygiene services. Directly comparable as a multi-country pest control and hygiene service provider, but with a vastly larger international footprint and broader service portfolio than CESCO.
• Anticimex: Global pest control and hygiene services provider with strong European and APAC presence. Comparable as a multi-country IPM-driven pest control specialist, with similar digital monitoring and recurring service model.
• Terminix (now part of Rentokil): Major US-based pest control brand now under Rentokil Initial. Comparable core offering of integrated pest management and termite control for residential and commercial customers.
• Ecolab: Global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions for B2B and food service. Comparable to CESCO's food safety, professional cleaning, and water treatment service lines, especially for hospitality and food manufacturer clients.
• ServiceMaster: Provider of residential and commercial cleaning, disinfection, and restoration services. Comparable on professional cleaning, virus care, and commercial hygiene service offerings, with similar recurring service contracts.

Direct peers

• SK Magic: Korean home appliance rental specialist in water purifiers, air purifiers, and bidets. Direct competitor in CESCO's environmental appliance business, with similar subscription-style service contracts and home delivery model.
• Coway: Korean leader in water purifiers, air purifiers, and bidets with a rental/service model. Direct competitor in CESCO's environmental appliance and home service categories, with overlapping B2C and B2B channels in Korea.
• Chungho Nais: Korean water purification and home appliance company with strong direct-sales and rental model. Comparable to CESCO Water in business model and Korean channel coverage, with similar enterprise B2B presence.
• Winia (Dimchae): Korean home appliance brand with exposure in air care and kitchen appliances. Comparable as a Korean home appliance peer overlapping with CESCO's air purifier and household product lines, though with a more traditional retail distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CESCOmembers
• Facebookfacebook.com/cescokr
• Instagraminstagram.com/cesco_kr

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cesco