We had a pleasant interview with Uzertaş's Founder and Chairman of the Board, Mr. İlhan Erem

We conducted an engaging interview with İlhan Erem, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Uzertaş, one of the established firms in the paints sector. Erem shared the story of Uzertaş, which has successfully served the construction sector for 55 years.

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

I was born in Gaziantep İslahiye due to my father's civil service position. We later moved to Istanbul. I attended Tophane Male Technical Institute. Because of the courier training I received there, I completed my military service as an instructor at Ankara Mamak Communications School. After military service, I worked as a timekeeper at a British company. When that company decided to go to Africa, on their recommendation I started working as a laborer at Marshall Boya Fabrikası. After working as a timekeeper and warehouse clerk, I moved to the sales department. I continued sales activities within Istanbul until 1962. That year, for reasons unknown to me, I was dismissed from the job. I was saddened by this but did not lose my drive to work. I founded and developed my own company with a brother I was very close to. I worked hard… Indeed, this effort brought Uzertaş to where it is today, and in 2012, following an invitation from Istanbul Stock Exchange, we went public. For 55 years we have continued our business life in wholesale paints, varnishes and ancillary products without compromising our principles. Currently we continue our operations with my daughter and experienced colleagues. As long as God grants us health, we intend to transfer these responsibilities to the next generation.

Could you provide information about Uzertaş's establishment process and the stages it has gone through to reach today?

In 1962 we founded Uzer Kollektif Şirketi. At the same time, we accepted the offer of Yorgo Hristidis, the owner of Merbolin company, and started operations in Karaköy. In addition to the Istanbul market, we expanded to Anatolia. After helping Merbolin company overcome its payment difficulties, we continued by selling only Marshall products. Later, thinking to make our customers partners in our company, we transformed into an Anonim Şirket in 1972. We conducted our commercial activities starting in Karaköy Perşembepazarı, then from 1984 to 2008 at our headquarters in Gümüşsuyu. For the last 9 years we have continued operations in our own company building and warehouse in Tuzla Birlik OSB. Uzertaş is the company that first introduced the Turkish paints market to European paints. By importing Trimetal paints from Belgium, it achieved justified success in Turkey and Northern Cyprus for many years. Following Akzo Nobel's purchase of the Trimetal brand, Uzertaş has continued to introduce new brands into its portfolio, offering Beeck paints from Germany, Bondex Wood Protection paints and varnishes from Denmark under the PPG umbrella, and Incralac from the UK along with innovative exterior anti-graffiti systems to the Turkish market. Additionally, in the domestic market, in 2016 we assumed responsibility for "Marshall All Turkey Project Main Dealership". Uzertaş's greatest characteristic is that it owns the brands within its portfolio as if they were its own brand and places importance on training, trade shows, advertising, brochures and other activities to establish brand awareness.

Which sectors does Uzertaş primarily serve, and what types of products does it supply? Could you provide information about the services and special products that Uzertaş offers?

The most important sector that Uzertaş serves is the construction sector. We are a company that imports special paints from Europe, concrete and wood protectants, wood and metal varnishes, and supplies and conducts wholesale distribution of paints and ancillary products, construction chemicals, powder coatings, iron oxide pigments and many different products from the domestic market. We conduct promotion and supply of imported paints and insulation products to be used in construction and restoration projects, and provide training to relevant personnel on how the correct product should be used in the correct place. Uzertaş, which has served for 55 years as a "wholesaler" in the Turkish paints market under the slogan "leader of firsts and innovations," has made a significant contribution to the development of the Turkish paints sector and has become one of the important milestones in the paints market. In terms of both products and distribution dynamics in the sector, Uzertaş has not only followed trends but contributed to market growth through the leadership it has demonstrated. In this process, it has introduced many brands to the market, made them famous and successful brands, and created opportunities for them to gain market share. Particularly among retailers and applicators, Uzertaş has created the preconception that "any product sold by Uzertaş is certainly good, correct and innovative," and with its customer-focused sales rules and resolute approach to keeping its word, it has always been worthy of its customers' trust.

What types of advantages do the products offered by Uzertaş bring to architects in particular? Which types of projects are these products preferred for?

The smallest detail in projects constructed with millions of liras is very important to us, or rather, for the protection of our country's resources. Making the products presented available to future generations in a healthy and long-lasting manner is only possible with environmentally friendly products manufactured with superior technology. For architects who want to add elegance, value and longevity to projects, we recommend Beeck, PPG Architectural Coatings Bondex, Incralac, Hydron Anti Graffiti, Marshall Boya and Aries, which have technical superiority. Beeck is a company with 120 years of history and its products contain no carbon. It is mineral-based and water-repellent. It is based on active potassium silicate. Its vapor permeability is excellent. We also recommend the concrete and stone varnishes of the same company for protecting absorbent mineral surfaces on exterior facades. For wood surfaces, we recommend the product range of the Bondex brand, manufactured in Denmark by the world paints giant PPG. One of the products we recommend with pride is the world's best Anti Graffiti system, and as a final coat we recommend Nu-Guard for surfaces such as concrete, stone, brick, wood, aluminum, ceramic and glass.

Could you provide information about the products Uzertaş offers for historic monument cleaning and restoration?

As is known, the most important consideration in historic monument cleaning applications is that the surface being treated should not be damaged in any way. The JOS cleaning system is a method that can be used on surfaces such as stone, metal and wood and does not cause any deterioration on surfaces. Using this method, within the framework of social responsibility, we successfully completed the restoration of many official buildings, including the stone surfaces of the T.R. Ministry of Culture building. For the healthy transmission of religious structures to future generations, we use Beeck paint based on active potassium silicate, mineral-based, and protect it with SP Plus. We can cite the following as examples of work done in this manner: the Tomb of Mahmud II, Ataşehir Mimar Sinan Mosque, Edirne Great Synagogue, Panayia Greek Church, Yenikapı Mevlevihane and the Pargalı İbrahim Paşa Complex. Furthermore, in the name of protecting our historic monuments, Beeck and SP Plus products have been used in both restoration and maintenance work of many buildings, including the Historic Beyazıt Hamam and Hürrem Sultan Hamam.

Many new technologies are being developed in paints and ancillary products both domestically and internationally. Could we hear your comments on these new technologies?

Technology is needed not only to increase production but also for health, comfort and aesthetics. For this purpose, we closely follow all technologies applied worldwide in the construction sector and present them in the most suitable manner for use by Turkish companies.

Could we learn your thoughts on the paints sector in Turkey? What do you think are Turkey's advantages and disadvantages in this sector?

Because the construction sector in Turkey is continuously growing, paints manufacturers and companies that sell are in an advantageous position compared to other sectors. This also includes operations engaged in basement production as well as large paint factories. Another point is that labor is inexpensive in the paints sector. If qualified personnel are trained, last-generation technology paints will be used properly and correctly in the right place. In this context, increasing the number of vocational schools to supply qualified personnel to the sector is one of the most important matters.

When Uzertaş formulates investment plans, which criteria are prioritized? Does Uzertaş have investment plans for the coming periods, and if so, what are they?

We have projects to expand abroad, particularly to the Middle East and Turkish republics. We also plan to introduce innovative products not yet available in Turkey to the sector. I wish that 2017 will be beneficial and prosperous for the sector and bring abundant profits.