Interview: Otkonsaş's Focus on Industry Sectors and Process Safety

We conducted a pleasant interview with Kutay Göksu, Sales and Marketing Manager at Otkonsaş, where we discussed the sectors served by the company and the importance of process safety. [caption id="attachment_123292" align="aligncenter"] Kutay Göksu[/caption]  

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

I completed my undergraduate education at Kocaeli University. I worked for two years as a Sales Engineer in small-scale enterprises in construction and automation. Later, in 2013, I started working as a Sales Engineer at Otkonsaş A.Ş. During this period, I also enrolled in an MBA program at Bilgi University and pursued my professional career and education concurrently for approximately two years. Since 2017, I have been responsible for the Sales and Marketing team at Otkonsaş A.Ş.

With over 30 years of experience in Turkish industry, what is Otkonsaş's success policy?

There are many different methods and parameters we can use to define or measure success. Ultimately, organizational sustainability is one of the important factors. Considering that Otkonsaş is in the 34th year of its journey, we can summarize this as: customer and solution orientation, valuing company culture, and supporting a sustainable system. Our first priority is to provide accessible, long-lasting and value-added products and services for all stakeholders in our industry. We grow by closely following innovations in process automation and safety worldwide, and by adding the most reliable and appropriate solutions to our portfolio. On the other hand, Otkonsaş is aware that 'people' are the biggest factor in all these operations. In this context, we share the company culture and collective consciousness we have organically created with all our team members. It is gratifying to work in such an environment.

Could you provide information about the sectors you serve and your product range?

At Otkonsaş, we have a solution for every application involving fluid. In line with our customers' requirements, our product portfolio is shaped with products that can offer solutions for high temperature, high pressure, or difficult fluids. We provide solutions to many sectors including chemicals and petrochemicals, energy, mining, machine manufacturing, oil and gas, iron and steel, and others. Our product portfolio consists of process control and safety equipment: manual, on-off and control valves, pneumatic and hydraulic actuators, rupture discs, flame arrestors, safety valves, pressure vacuum vents, instruments and instrument valves (regulators, relays, temperature and pressure switches, etc.), silencers. In addition, through our service company ENKOSAŞ, we can perform hydrostatic and body strength tests on all valve types regardless of brand. We can service all faulty or damaged valves and actuators regardless of brand and deliver them in working condition like new. Our services include valve and actuator maintenance and repair, bidirectional leak and body strength tests up to 24"-690 bar pressure, computer-assisted online testing of safety valves, supervision, installation, spare parts manufacturing and supply.

As a company operating in a sector where technology is paramount, how do you assess the importance of technology in your products?

The importance of concepts such as efficiency and time is increasing rapidly with each passing day. Accordingly, technology plays a major role in our sector, as it does in all areas. In this direction, we believe we lead in technology in the products we offer. Technology is present in our products from the very beginning to the end of production. From the production of raw materials used in our products, to their design and even the maintenance of products used in the field, developing technology is important at every point. We closely follow this developing technology. For example, we brought the world's first four offset butterfly valves to Turkey. With our Quadax four offset butterfly valves, we provide an important solution with complete '0' leakage at very high and very low temperatures (-270…+8000 C), up to 160 bar pressure in processes.

What is the importance of the "Process Safety Virtual Symposium" in which you will participate on 9-10 February 2021 for your company and the sector? In this context, could you evaluate the concept of Process Safety for our readers?

Process Safety is among the most important topics for the sector. Many unfortunate incidents in the past have painfully reminded everyone how important this issue is. Therefore, the safe design and operation of processes, first and foremost, enables people, living things, and the environment to continue in a healthy and sustainable manner. For this reason, platforms like the Process Safety Virtual Symposium are valuable organizations where all stakeholders in the sector can share their experiences, suggestions, and ideas. As Otkonsaş, when we form our product and service portfolio, we take into account the most widely accepted global standards and procedures. Finally, with our product portfolio compliant with ATEX and SEVESO directives and featuring the highest protection standards, we provide superior engineering and product supply in process control and safety to all organizations. To date, we have provided solutions with our actuated valves and process safety equipment to many industrial facilities in ATEX and SEVESO conversion projects. Our pneumatic actuated valves are already operating both in explosive atmospheres with ATEX certification and in processes requiring SIL 3 level safety. At the Process Safety Virtual Symposium, we will be waiting for all participants and visitors at our stand with our ATEX and SIL 3 certified actuated valves, our process safety product group (flame arrestors, rupture discs, pressure vacuum vents, and safety valves). We will be pleased to discuss the most current standards and share detailed information about our products compliant with SEVESO and ATEX directives.