Willian Bezerra T’25 reflects on his Tuck Global Insight Expedition (GIX) experience in South Korea. He joined Professor Laurens Debo to explore South Korea’s manufacturing processes and how the country leverages technology to drive operational excellence.
What interested you about the GIX location and topic?
I have a strong background in industrial automation and robotics, with several years of experience working on advanced manufacturing projects in Brazil, my home country, and Europe. My passion for technology, particularly robotics and artificial intelligence, made choosing a GIX focused on operations an obvious and exciting choice.
Additionally, I’ve always wanted to visit either Japan or South Korea, and I ultimately chose South Korea because I am deeply curious about its culture. The country has undergone a remarkable manufacturing boom, largely driven by advancements in operational efficiency through technologies such as robotics, digital twins, and, more recently, Industry 4.0. Experiencing firsthand how these innovations are integrated into Korean manufacturing was a key motivator for me.
On the South Korea GIX trip, students delved into how the country transitioned from an agricultural economy to a global leader in the industrial and tech sectors.
What site visits, tours, meetings, and/or people were most impactful for you during the GIX?
From a cultural perspective, I absolutely loved visiting the temples and museums. South Korea has such a rich and fascinating history! The Korean War Museum and the visit to the DMZ between South and North Korea stood out as particularly impactful experiences. Exploring these sites alongside my Tuck classmates made the experience even more meaningful.
On the business side, I found the company visits incredibly insightful. Visiting Coupang, South Korea’s largest e-commerce company, was eye-opening in terms of scale and logistics. However, the highlight for me was Taelim Industrial. I was truly impressed by their cutting-edge advanced manufacturing capabilities and the level of efficiency and transparency in their operations. Seeing firsthand how they leverage technology for operational excellence was both inspiring and educational.
Students learned about the scope and operations of Coupang (pictured), South Korea's largest online retailer and marketplace.
What is a key takeaway from this experience? What have you learned?
This experience provided invaluable insights into Korean culture and their approach to work. It was fascinating to see how cultural nuances influence business practices and workplace dynamics. Koreans are incredibly disciplined, highly organized, and deeply committed to continuous improvement—a mindset that is evident in their factories, where methodologies like Kaizen are widely adopted to drive efficiency and innovation.
Beyond cultural insights, I gained a deeper appreciation for the role of operational excellence in sustaining a competitive manufacturing sector. Seeing these principles in action reinforced my belief in the importance of structured problem-solving and a relentless focus on improvement.
Do you think this experience will be valuable for your post-Tuck career? How and why?
Absolutely! I already knew that I wanted to pursue a career in operations after Tuck, which is why I chose to join McKinsey’s Detroit office—where I will have the opportunity to work on manufacturing and automotive-related projects.
This experience has given me a firsthand look at South Korea’s approach to operational excellence, and I am confident that these insights will be valuable as I step into my role as an associate at McKinsey. Understanding how different cultures approach problem-solving and continuous improvement will help me navigate the complexities of global operations, making me a more effective consultant. I feel much more prepared to tackle the challenges ahead and apply these learnings in my career.
I consider myself a problem-solver at heart—I thrive on tackling challenges and finding creative, impactful solutions. With over 10 years of experience in industrial automation, I have worked on numerous projects across industries such as food & beverage, consumer goods, and automotive, implementing state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing solutions. My background includes Engineering and Master’s degrees in Industrial Automation and Robotics, and I have a deep passion for technology, particularly in AI and Robotics. Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife, Luciana, and catching up with friends—whether it's a casual get-together or an intense poker game. I'm also a whisky enthusiast, always on the lookout for rare bottles to add to my collection.
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