Dear BEYSAD readers,

We continue to introduce our new members to you who make BEYSAD even stronger. In this issue, we have interviewed with a successful manager who, despite his young age, has worked as a professional in the plastics industry for many years and is now leading his own firm for two years. Mr. Şahin Görgü, General Manager of Ekinplas, was kind enough to spare his time for this interview. We would like to extend our profuse thanks to him and wish them success in their businesses.

Can you please tell us about yourself briefly?

I was born in Istanbul in 1974. I completed my undergraduate degree at the Marmara University followed by a master degree in MBA at the same university. I have been working in the plastics industry for almost 15 years. 

Can you please tell us about Ekinplas and its business activities?

Ekinplas was established in 2009. The firm was founded for the purpose of manufacturing packaging for the foods industry by means of In-Mould Labeling production method. Ekinplas has become successful in the industry in a short while by manufacturing special products. In 2011 we have begun to intensify our efforts to ensure Ekinplas provides services to other plastics industries as a system partner. At the moment, the firm is manufacturing plastic parts for food, white goods and medical industries. Our production activities are based on the clean room methodology for all industries. 

When did you meet Ekinplas?

In 2009 I quit my professional career as a manager and founded Ekinplas. During this two-year period Ekinplas has made a significant progress and we began to carry out our manufacturing activities at our own plant with a closed space of 6000 m2 in the Çerkezköy Organized Industrial Zone after only four months. 

Can you please tell us about the organizational structure of Ekinplas?

Ekinplas has a very lean organizational structure. We have aimed to adapt lean production methods already in place in our production structure to our organizational structure. We do our best to respond as quickly as possible to customer requests with a horizontal organizational structure. In 2012 our investments in our organizational structure will continue increasingly. 

Who is your largest customer in Turkey?

We work with all the large manufacturers in the food industry. To name a few, Ülker, Sütaş and Bahçıvan. We have begun to work with BSH in the white goods industry. In the medical industry we export all the goods that we manufacture. 

Can you please give information about your export volumes and name countries that you sell your products most?

As a two-year old company, our export figure equals 15% today. We export our products to such European countries as Germany and Austria. 

What are your company’s main attributes that make it different from your competitors?

Our speed in launching projects is the main factor that makes us different. As we are under the same roof with Star Hidropar, another group company, we cooperate efficiently in terms of automation and special project production, which makes us different from our competitors. 

All of our employees have an understanding of quality management. The approval of our quality department is a must for our investments. 

Our quality laboratories have all the infrastructure necessary for meeting customer expectations; however, we still continue to make investments in this field. 

What are your expectations from the White Goods Strategy Paper prepared by BEYSAD?

We expect white goods supply industry to be restructured so as to drift away from production of components alone, but adopt an approach focusing heavily on product design and finished goods production. 

What are your expectations from BEYSAD as our new member? What can we do for you?

First of all, we must all know about our technical capabilities and where we can use them by means of mutual cooperation. 

In order to pave the way for technological development and investment, we should be able to develop financing programs both with government bodies and financial institutions. 

In order to ensure supply industry firms improve themselves in the fields of production and organization, we expect BEYSAD to audit them and issue certification as a result. BEYSAD supply industry standards can be created.