Interview by: Murat Soygür
The Grolman Group, a well-established international company specializing in specialty chemicals, serves a wide range of industries, including paints & coatings, plastics, composites, adhesives and cosmetics. In our interview, Aylin Anık, Managing Director of Grolman Kimya, shared detailed information about the products and services offered by the company.
Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your professional background?
I have been working in the chemical industry for over 15 years and am happy to have gained extensive experience across various areas – from sales and business development to strategic leadership roles. My academic background is in international economics and finance, which allows me to combine both financial expertise and commercial thinking.
I started my career as a sales and business development manager in an international company, where I quickly learned how crucial close customer interaction and tailor-made solutions are. Over the years, I had the opportunity to manage multiple markets, build teams, and implement growth strategies – first nationally, and later across international regions. In 2011, I partnered with the Grolman Group to establish Grolman Kimya Tic. Ltd. Şti. in Istanbul. As Managing Director ever since, I have been dedicated to expanding our market presence, promoting sustainable practices, and placing customer needs at the core of our strategy.
Can you give us an overview of the products and services Grolman offers?
The Grolman Group is a well-established, international distribution company specializing in specialty chemicals. Our portfolio serves a wide range of industries, including paints & coatings, plastics, composites, adhesives, cosmetics and construction chemicals.
What sets Grolman apart is not only the quality and diversity of our product offering but our holistic, solution-oriented approach. In addition to supplying raw materials, we provide technical consulting, formulation support, regulatory assistance, sustainable development know how and deep market knowledge. Our long-standing partnerships with leading suppliers around the world, combined with this service mindset, make us a trusted partner for our customers.
How do you stay up to date with industry trends?
In an industry like ours, where innovation and regulatory change are constant, staying ahead of world and industry trends is essential. We track developments on multiple levels.
We attend international and regional trade shows, conferences, and industry events – not only as visitors but often as exhibitor. Our sales and application teams are in daily contact with customers, which gives us valuable insights into emerging needs and practical challenges.
Moreover, our close relationships with suppliers mean we are often involved early in their innovation processes. We also rely on market research, trend analyses, and digital tools to monitor shifts in consumer behavior and industry dynamics – especially in areas like sustainability, clean-label solutions, circular economy, and digitalization.
Could you tell us more about Grolman’s sustainability strategy?
Sustainability is a strategic pillar at Grolman – not just a trend. Our approach spans ecological, social, and economic responsibility.
On the ecological side, we are expanding our portfolio with environmentally friendly and bio-based raw materials. We also focus on optimizing our supply chain by reducing emissions through smarter logistics and warehousing processes.
Socially, we emphasize long-term partnerships, fair working conditions, and internal talent development. This includes sustainability and compliance training, as well as inclusive hiring practices.
Economically, sustainability means building resilient and future-proof business models – not short-term profits. We aim to create long-lasting value for all stakeholders by embedding responsible practices across the organization.
What are your goals for the next five years?
Our growth strategy over the next five years is multi-dimensional. One focus is on geographic expansion – particularly into emerging markets where we aim to build a strong presence with local teams and collaborative partnerships.
We are also shaping a significant expansion of our sustainable product offering. This is not just about individual “green and sustainable” products but about integrated solutions throughout the value chain. Digitalization is another key pillar: we are investing in CRM systems, customer portals, and data-driven tools to improve transparency, efficiency, and service quality. Finally, talent development is high on our agenda. We want to attract and retain skilled professionals by offering international career opportunities, modern and agile working conditions, and continuous learning programs.
Ultimately, our goal is to create meaningful, long-term value – for our customers, suppliers, employees, and the environment.
