We Conducted an Interview with Ahmet Özyaşar

In the interview we conducted, Sinerji Gıda Founder and General Manager Ahmet Özyaşar answered our questions. Özyaşar explained the establishment process and stages of Sinerji Gıda and provided information about the product groups they offer.

First, we would like to know you. Could you tell us about your education, professional career and personal interests?

I am a graduate of Yıldız Technical University, Department of Chemical Engineering. After graduation, I began working in the private sector. Following a six-month language course I took in Australia, I returned to the country and started working at PNS Pendik Nişasta, a partnership between Ülker and Cerestar. Following the Sugar Law enacted in April 2021 and the acquisition of Cerestar by Cargill in 2022, changing market and company dynamics led me to decide to establish the company I had always dreamed of.

When was Sinerji Gıda founded? To what extent has Sinerji Gıda achieved the targets set during the establishment phase, and how has Sinerji Gıda developed over this period?

Under the circumstances I just explained, I founded Sinerji Gıda in 2004 with two longtime friends who believed in me, Doğan Timuçin and Hakan Tekin. With the addition of Abdullah Çakmak, a fellow colleague, we assumed our current structure of 4 partners in 2007. The development of Sinerji Gıda to date and future plans can be divided into 10-year periods. Our experience and vision gained at Pendik Nişasta made us an important starch and derivatives distribution company in Turkey by the end of the first 10 years. The second 10 years was a period in which we increased product diversity and purchased a dry mix facility. As we enter our third 10 years, thanks to the acquisition of Baharot in January, we have completed the "Flavoring Agents" section that was lacking in dry mixes.   With a decision we made this year, we restructured our organization. We classified pharmaceutical, cosmetic, healthy living and aquatic products, feed, and agricultural sectors—which were overshadowed by our food operations—as two independent categories and divided our existing food categories into three. Thus, we positioned our company as a "Life Sciences Supplier" with five category managers and one sales manager.

With which products and services does Sinerji Gıda create solutions for its customers? Could you provide detailed information? In which regions do you operate in Turkey and abroad?

We provide solutions covering almost the entire spectrum of life sciences with starch, modified starch, starch derivatives, hydrocolloids, plant proteins, fibers, preservatives and colorants. Our current operations largely include domestic sales of leading companies in the fields for which we serve as representatives. With the support of our manufacturing partners, we plan to rapidly increase our export volumes in the coming period.

Environmental sensitivity and sustainability issues have gained even more importance in recent years. Could you provide information about your views on these matters and Sinerji Gıda's approach?

All the companies we import from have targets regarding environmental sensitivity and sustainability. Since the establishment of our production facilities in Turkey, we have begun implementing the examples we took from these practices where possible. We are preparing to enter 2024, when we will celebrate our 20th anniversary, with our quality management certificates in hand.

From an innovation and R&D perspective, what kind of innovations does Sinerji Gıda offer to your customers?

Innovation and R&D have been our priority since our establishment. In our laboratory, which we established in 2017 for quality control and product development purposes, we provide solutions to complaints from our customers while supporting new product development activities. For this purpose, in our Quality and Business Development Department, which we established independently of our sales organization solely for product development and improvement, four engineer colleagues are working.

What are the criteria that Sinerji Gıda considers important when making investment plans? Are you planning investments for the short and long term?

Our investment plans will be primarily directed toward increasing the capacity and product diversity of our production facilities. For this purpose, we have a 15,000 m2 plot in the Kandıra Food Specialization Zone, where infrastructure works are nearing completion. Following land allocations, the modern facilities we will construct there will enable us to increase our recognition in export markets, not only in Turkey but also primarily in the Middle East and Africa markets, thanks to the resulting capacity increases. We are aware that human resources is the most important factor for this, and we trust our valued employees and try to help them develop themselves. While implementing these production plans, we will not neglect our core business of life sciences components distribution. For this purpose, while developing cooperation with our current suppliers, we plan to conclude agreements with new suppliers, primarily in the newly created categories.