Interview with Güler Eras, General Manager of Net Kimya

In our interview, Net Kimya General Manager Güler Eras answered our questions. Eras provided information about Net Kimya's products and services. [caption id="attachment_125223" align="aligncenter"] Güler Eras[/caption]

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

I graduated from Istanbul University's Chemical Engineering Department. I started my career in 1985 at Teletaş, where I worked for many years and progressed to the position of quality manager. In the 1990s, thanks to my dear colleague Cumhur, I moved to a different department away from quality work. He directed me toward marketing. Sitting at a desk was not for me. I do not enjoy static work; there should be continuous learning and direct interaction with people. As I entered marketing, my international operations began, I became involved in exports, and my horizons expanded. Quality also taught me a great deal. I learned from quality how to view matters from above and from the outside. Through quality work, I gained the ability to observe and comment on all subjects. In 1997, my partner Ümit Kızılırmak said it was time for us to start our own business. Of course, family support was crucial for this. I am married with one son. I told my wife that I now want to stand on my own feet—could we do it? Because it would be unrealistic to expect to make money right from the start. We decided we could do it, and I became a partner in this company. I extend my infinite gratitude to my dear wife Mustafa Eras. I can never overlook my wife's support. I was working at a very high pace and for long hours. She endured my travels, working late into the night, and stressful periods, no matter what.

Could you provide information about Net Kimya's founding process and the stages it has gone through to the present day?

Net Kimya was established commercially in 1996. However, it entered the sector toward the end of 1997. From then until today, we have been providing both our products and technical services to the sector. What distinguishes us actually begins here. We do not simply provide our product to the sector and withdraw; we share our accumulated knowledge at every stage from when the product begins to be used until it becomes waste. In sharing our knowledge, our other objective is to create a customer profile that knows what it wants, recognizes problems in advance and can take precautions, and can contribute to our own development. Net Kimya is an ambitious organization, particularly in research and development and technical support. For this reason, answers like "I don't know," "we don't have it," or "we can't find it" are not acceptable for us. In our laboratories, while conducting product development and designing new products, we offer our 25 years of experience to everyone who wants to work with us. The fact that the formulation of every product we produce belongs to us is an incredible source of joy and pride for us.

What products, brands and services does Net Kimya provide, particularly in the paints, coatings and surface treatment areas? Which sectors does Net Kimya primarily serve in these areas, and what types of products does it supply?

It would not be correct to limit our services by naming a single sector. Because we serve many different sectors—from automotive to construction, from white goods to elevators, from heating-cooling to electrical-electronics, furniture, lighting, civil and defense. In other words, our products may have been used everywhere before reaching your home. To summarize, we can group our activities into five main categories. These are pre-paint surface treatment preparation chemicals for the iron-steel and aluminum industry, hot-dip galvanizing chemicals and pre-paint surface treatment chemicals for hot-dip galvanized surfaces, turnkey projects for aluminum anodizing facilities, mechanical processing equipment (satin finishing, polishing, sandblasting, sanding machines, loading-unloading equipment), special titanium hangers, clamps, organic paints, and for the extrusion process N5 liquid nitrogen technology, recovery systems, extrusion lines and foundry operations. Chemicals used with protective oils (zinc phosphates, manganese phosphates, blackening and coloring chemicals) and auxiliary chemicals (paint solvents, passivations, inhibitors, etc.) are also part of our portfolio.

Could you tell us about your domestic and international sales activities? What types of products are you selling to which regions domestically and internationally?

Many of our products, such as surface treatment chemicals, anodizing facilities and equipment, are supplied to numerous countries including Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Iran, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Qatar and Nigeria. We aim to increase our international potential particularly through international trade fairs and international channels.

What types of work do you carry out as Net Kimya in the areas of technology, innovation and research and development? Do you have projects developed within university-industry cooperation, and if so, what are they?

Our R&D team places emphasis on innovative and environmentally conscious projects. For this reason, these collaborations are important to us. To give an example, not long ago we conducted a project lasting approximately two years with TÜBİTAK for our Nano Technological Transformation Coating product. Within the scope of this project, analysis studies were conducted together with universities.

Could you provide information about Net Kimya's environmental policy and sustainability approach? What can you tell us about your work related to occupational health and safety?

Our priority in new product development is to work on environmentally friendly, zero-waste, heavy-metal-free chemicals. We have maintained our environmentally sensitive approach to our products for approximately 25 years and will continue to do so. In doing this, the health and safety of both our team members and customers are our priority. To this end, occupational health and safety measures are implemented, and awareness is raised among our team members and customers through in-house and external training programs.

What criteria are prioritized when Net Kimya formulates investment plans? Do you have investment plans for the upcoming periods, and if so, what are they?

In our investment plans, we base our decisions on extensive research results and market trends. Our ongoing projects are included in our program. We are particularly continuing development activities in areas such as hot-dip galvanizing chemicals and nano technological transformation coatings. Additionally, in 2021 we are working to increase our presence in the digital sphere. Currently, our most important digital project is the establishment of our e-commerce website.