Interview with Cem Yıldız, Chairman of the Board of Hecckem Kimya

We conducted an interview with Cem Yıldız, Chairman of the Board of Hecckem Kimya, in which we discussed the company's success story. Yıldız provided important information about Hecckem Kimya's projects and innovations. [caption id="attachment_118891" align="aligncenter"] Cem Yıldız[/caption]  

Could you briefly tell our readers about yourself and your professional background in the sector?

Of course. I am Cem Yıldız, born in Istanbul in 1970. I am the third eldest son in a family of four children whose parents made their living in trade. Given this background, commerce has always been part of my life. My first steps in the chemical sector began during the summer holiday of third grade, when I started working at a firm engaged in paints and chemical materials trade on Fermeneciler Street in Karaköy. I continued working during all my school holidays throughout my education. After completing my military service, I worked in all departments of our family company from its establishment in 1990—a dream of my late father—through to its establishment in the sector. In 2004, while serving as Export Sales Manager in Kazakhstan, I used the experience gained from my position to make our name known in Central Asian countries in a short time. From my return to Turkey in 2006 due to my daughter's education until 2015, I continued to develop the export department of the company where I was employed.

Could you tell us about Hecckem's development process from its establishment to today?

In 2015, we established Hecckem with 25 years of experience and sector knowledge. In its initial stage, Hecckem Kimya began with the supply of raw materials to the paints and construction chemicals sector, both domestically and internationally. Through our work, accumulated experience, and an expanding team over time, we quickly established a presence in many different sectors and strengthened our product portfolio. In doing so, we succeeded in demonstrating our presence in the sector with our raw materials in both the international and domestic markets. As of 2020, with our warehouse and office in Uzbekistan, we conduct sales at fast and sustained quality levels to all of Uzbekistan and its wider surroundings. Our Kazakhstan employees provide services as a home office due to pandemic conditions.

"As the Hecckem family, our goal is to provide quality services in many different sectors related to chemicals and to bring our targets to life in the shortest time possible."

In 2020, in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, through a partnership with a local company, we continue sales and marketing activities for our products from the warehouse to local paints and construction chemicals manufacturers in the Tanzanian market. In addition to all this, we made a rapid entry into the metal coatings sector by acquiring the distributorship of a global company. We also established an office in Ningbo, China, related to quality control and procurement, and our work continues there. As the Hecckem family, our goal is to provide quality services in many different sectors related to chemicals and to bring our targets to life in the shortest time possible.

What are Hecckem's products and product groups? Which sectors do you serve?

As Hecckem Kimya, we are advancing with confident steps in the sector by continuously expanding our product supply network. We supply raw materials to many different sectors, primarily paints and construction chemicals, plastics, textiles, cosmetics, adhesives, inks, and detergents. Additionally, both in the international and domestic markets, we develop new products on a phased basis according to our customers' expectations and needs, and support our portfolio with competitive pricing.

Could you tell us about your sales activities? Which regions do you primarily sell to?

We conduct 70 percent of our business internationally. Our markets include Central Asia, the Middle East, and West African countries. Starting with product sales and continuing with technical support, we proceed through systematic processes on this path, and when any situation might arise, we establish empathy with our customers and continue with solution-oriented activities. We create values suited to our customers' needs and always stay one step ahead of their expectations. Thanks to our young, dynamic team that loves their work and our disciplined operations, Hecckem has quickly become a leader among preferred supplier companies in the chemical sector in many countries.

In your view, what are the conditions for being a global supplier?

Globalization first passes through marketing and trust. We first focus, work, and then reach our target. Understanding the target audience, conducting in-depth analysis of market trends and customer expectations, and conducting strong market research are of great importance in presenting ourselves in the global market. Additionally, focusing on customer satisfaction through reliable products, competitive pricing, fast service, and the strong technical support services that follow are principles of Hecckem. We are currently alongside our customers in the sector with our professional team in different geographies of the world. This is what takes Hecckem to success in every field in which it operates.

According to what criteria do you determine the countries and companies from which you source products?

We are careful to work with suppliers in their sectors who are leaders, reliable, and able to meet our expectations and requests. The company's recognition and possession of required quality certifications are among the most important criteria for Hecckem in determining its suppliers. While prioritizing continuity in supply and quality, we prefer companies that can meet our demands in product development matters.   For product quality continuity and our logistics services, we manage quality processes with our team operating in specific locations. We are careful to conduct trade with countries that provide price advantages and strong logistics services under current conditions, and we never compromise on working with manufacturers and suppliers with current technology production and those who care about the environment and human health.

Can you share your after-sales service and customer satisfaction philosophy?

At Hecckem, from our establishment to today, our priority has been customer satisfaction. We believe that mutual satisfaction results from reliable, quality work done in the right way, and we do not give up anything from our mission. We assume responsibility for every promise made to the customer and every product entering their warehouse to the end. We take into account all positive and negative feedback we receive; as a result, we find permanent solutions to take ourselves further. Throughout the product use process, our expert team is always there for our customers to identify and resolve any problems that may arise. Our work does not end with selling our products. We know our customers well and understand their needs; therefore, we are able to provide the best service.

Developing technology and digitalization are offering innovative opportunities to many sectors. What are your efforts regarding digital transformation at Hecckem?

As the Hecckem family, like all companies, we follow innovations and use developing technology every day. While progressing on the path of digitalization, we do not abandon old techniques (some of which we have not given up at the customer's request), which shows our business style. During the pandemic process that affected the world, digitalization gained much importance for us as well, encouraging us to find new sales and working techniques. To briefly tell you about some of these, social media use and online meetings rank first.

"Understanding the target audience, conducting in-depth analysis of market trends and customer expectations, and conducting strong market research are of great importance in presenting ourselves in the global market."

We actively used our social media accounts, and moving beyond that, we remained in constant interaction with our customers. We replaced our regular monthly customer visits with online meetings.

What new decisions did you make while managing the pandemic process? Do you have any work carried out in this regard?

As always during this period, we prioritize health and continue working in alternative ways to maintain the normal course of operations without interrupting business continuity. Initially for a period we implemented home office work, then we established flexibility in working hours and a rotating shift system. For colleagues working outside the office, by implementing measures announced by the Ministry of Health, they continued their work without putting themselves at risk. To keep the running system uninterrupted, avoid hardship and not cause it, we acted with foresight and took precautions in our warehouse-stock-sales supply chain. We placed restrictions on our travels. As a result of the decisions made by the World Health Organization and training conducted with our colleagues, we aim to overcome the pandemic process in the best way possible.

Can you tell us about your R&D and sustainability efforts?

At Hecckem, we work with the ISO 14001 environmental management system label, aiming to introduce environmentally friendly and competitive products to the market and use advanced technology raw materials while complying with national and international regulations. We attach importance to R&D activities and our expert team continues to work continuously to develop unique new products that differentiate us positively from our competitors and to enable more efficient and lower-cost use of existing products. We support our country's export-dependent sensitive development model; we consider environmental and social criteria in line with new business understanding to provide sustainable export growth and increase competitiveness in the international market. We believe that increased export share is achieved with quality sustainability, and we continue our work in this direction. Additional remarks… The 2020 pandemic process brought new challenges alongside market difficulties, new ways of doing business, and a new world order. As we move into a new year having left another year behind with its good and bad aspects, we lost those from the older generation whose efforts contributed to the chemical sector reaching this point during 2020. I pray for God's mercy on all of them. Our hope is that we do not go through such processes again as humanity. As Cem Yıldız, Founder of Hecckem Kimya, in Hecckem Kimya reaching these days, first my wife and children whom I could not spend much time with due to travel and work intensity, the Hecckem family employees who were always by our side in this beautiful path and did what they could and more, creating Hecckem, sector and family elders whose support we always felt, colleagues who provided services and made great efforts and support in bringing our company to this day, our suppliers and customers who trust us, and finally the Chem Media family with whom we conducted this beautiful conversation—I extend my endless gratitude. We look to the future with hope. We wish that 2021 brings health, happiness, peace, and success to all humanity and the sector, and we congratulate you on the new year.