We Had a Pleasant Interview with Mr. İbrahim Barbaros

We conducted an interview with the General Manager of Hicri Ercili, Mr. İbrahim Barbaros. Barbaros told about the production and services of Hicri Ercili.

Could you please briefly tell our readers about yourself, your educational and professional background?

I was born in Bandırma in 1976, after graduating from Trakya University, Faculty of Business Administration, I started my business life working in the Finance Department. After taking on responsibilities in various positions, I am currently working as the General Manager and Board Member for Hicri Ercili A.Ş.

When was Hicri Ercili founded? Could you tell us about the history of Hicri Ercili, the investments realized, and the current structure of the Company?

Hicri Ercili, founded in the early 1970s, began its growth process with the transportation of chemicals, sales of spare parts and petrol office fuel sales stations. This accelerated in the 2000s with the import of other chemicals, primarily sulphuric acid, and formed the basis of today's development. Hicri Ercili operates in multiple fields. Hicri Ercili is Turkey's largest aluminum sulphate producer. Hicri Ercili exports to more than 140 countries around the world and continues to expand. A key strength of Hicri Ercili, which handles 1.2 million tons of sulphuric acid annually, is its comprehensive integrated logistics process. Hicri Ercili transports the product from its source using its own vessels, stores it in its own storage tanks and delivers it to the end user with its own vehicles. Hicri Ercili is the first company in Turkey to produce TSE-approved ADR sulphuric acid and ammonia tanks. It also holds the first ISO tank production approvals and will begin production soon. Our company started operating aluminum sulphate production and tank farm facilities in Yumurtalık Free Zone at the beginning of this year and will achieve new breakthroughs in exports. Additionally, Hicri Ercili aims to open up to new markets in America and Europe through companies established in Chicago, the Netherlands and Bulgaria. Our company is committed to serving the country in the best way with its staff that continues to grow, develop and specialize.  

Could you please give information about the products and services offered by Hicri Ercili? In Turkey and abroad, in which regions does Hicri Ercili operate?

Hicri Ercili operates not only in the chemical industry, but also in many fields such as domestic and international logistics, cold storage, shipyard and marine services, production of ADR tanks and trailers, and fuel oil. Hicri Ercili's cold storage facilities are the largest in Turkey and the Balkan Region. Hicri Ercili Group companies are based in Bandırma and continue their organic growth, funded by their own business and utilizing their own resources efficiently, operating in 12 locations including Çorlu, İzmit, Yalova, Mersin, Adana, Osmaniye, Istanbul, Amsterdam-Holland, Chicago-USA, Houston-USA, and Sofia-Bulgaria.  

As Hicri Ercili, could you please give information about your environmental policy and sustainability approach?

Hicri Ercili, which obtained the NSF certificate for the first time in Turkey for aluminum sulphate—confirming hygienic conditions are met for potable water treatment and valid almost worldwide—holds all relevant certificates. As Hicri Ercili, we demonstrate our greatest environmental sensitivity by protecting water, essential for all life, with the aluminum sulphate we produce, which is used in the treatment of drinking and utility water. In coming periods, we will undertake many projects related to this commitment and share them with the public.

What kind of investments does Hicri Ercili plan for the coming periods? Which criteria does Hicri Ercili prioritize when planning investments?

We place special emphasis on producing aluminum sulphate, used in water treatment—water being the most vital resource and source of life for humanity. Our goal is to become the world leader in aluminum sulphate. Our other goals include producing our own vessels in our shipyard and increasing the number of our vessel fleet in maritime operations. Beyond this, as Hicri Ercili, we recognize the importance of education for societal development and support education in all its aspects. We give particular weight to the fact that our investments are in the field of education. In this area, as social responsibility projects, Hicri Ercili Bandırma Children's Homes for orphans and Hicri Ercili Bandırma Special Education Practice School for children with special needs have become operational. Additionally, Hicri Ercili TED Bandırma College, which operates within our company and whose official opening ceremony was held recently, is now in operation in our district. We will soon establish TED College in Balıkesir and put it into operation.