We Conducted an Interview with Uğur Üstünel

We had an enjoyable interview with METYX CEO Uğur Üstünel in this issue. Mr. Üstünel shared valuable information with us about METYX's operations, social responsibility projects and 2023 targets.

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

I was born in 1973. After graduating from Istanbul Technical University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I completed my master's degree at Boston University. In 2000, I started working at Teradyne as a Customer Manager. In 2004, I returned to Turkey and began working as a Managing Partner at our family business METYX. Since 2019, I have been serving as CEO.  

Could you share the founding story of METYX, its facilities and the industries it serves?

Our story began with fabric production in Istanbul in 1945. In 2003, we installed our first multiaxial machine at our Tuzla plant and entered the composites sector, seeing great potential in this area under the METYX brand. Subsequently, by increasing our production lines and developing our product and service portfolio, we built a structure capable of providing all composite-related needs under one roof. Starting with our Istanbul Tuzla plant, we continue our journey at a global level with a total of 6 production facilities with the latest technology, currently located in Manisa, Hungary and the United States. Our products and services are available in more than 30 countries worldwide. We can provide solutions for many sectors that require high quality standards, engineering knowledge and experience—such as wind energy, marine, automotive, infrastructure, architectural applications and entertainment.

What product groups do you offer to the composites sector?

We provide numerous solutions in the composites field from design to serial production, including multiaxial, RTM, woven reinforcement fabrics, vacuum bagging and surface veil reinforcement fabrics, as well as the production of models and moulds, core and fabric kits. By also serving as Turkey distributors for world-renowned chemical, vacuum consumables and equipment brands such as Scott Bader, Axel, Composite Integration, Westlake and Adapa, we can meet all demands of our customers. We also provide testing, laboratory and engineering services.

Could you tell us about the work you do to develop your products and the resources you allocate to this work?

Product development and R&D are among the topics we prioritize. Therefore, we continue to invest in our employees in these departments while closely monitoring current trending technologies. For this, in addition to keeping all online and offline channels on our radar, we always ensure our place at leading trade fairs in our sector. We also try to participate in government-supported programs.

As METYX, you also provide distribution services. What are the main points you pay attention to when building your product portfolio?

Since we supply all products and equipment we distribute to our customers under METYX assurance, quality and reliability are the most important factors. We must not experience any issues with supply and logistics. When needed, we must be confident that a specialized technical team will be ready to support our customers by demonstrating how to use the products in accordance with their production methods. The company we distribute for should not be just a supplier, but a solution partner in problem solving and guidance.  

Could you share the work you are doing to provide environmentally friendly products and services?

In line with our sustainability principles, we have initiated many activities within the organization. In parallel with these, our R&D department continues its efforts to develop innovative and environmentally friendly products and services. We are developing projects in both the fabric and composites segments that will meet market expectations. We will soon launch these products and services and share them with everyone.

Could you share the social responsibility projects you have carried out to date?

We believe that a strong and stable society is the most basic element for success in the business world. As an integral part of the socioeconomic structure, we have made it a principle to contribute to the development of the community in which we operate. For this reason, we started first with our own organization. We do not tolerate discrimination among our employees based on language, race, color, gender, political opinion, belief, religion, sect, age, physical disability and similar reasons. We create a positive and harmonious work environment that supports cooperation and prevent conflict situations, enabling people with different beliefs, thoughts and perspectives to work together harmoniously. In 2021, we also signed the United Nations WEPs (Women Empowerment Principles) and implemented a number of measures to ensure gender equality within the company. Beyond these micro-level activities, we have undertaken many initiatives to support the regions where our plants are located. When we established our plant in Manisa OSB, to direct children and youth towards sports and make sports a part of their lives, thereby contributing to their mental and physical development, we founded the Manisa Water Sports Club in 2011. We are currently developing numerous athletes across the country in water polo, swimming and adaptive swimming. We also extend our hand to meet the library, desk and technological needs of many schools throughout Turkey. In Hungary, we have been involved in many projects—from purchasing therapeutic equipment for an autism foundation to donation campaigns for children who lost their parents due to COVID-19. We have supported and will continue to support sports competitions and tournaments that we believe can contribute to the progress of local communities. We also sponsor special projects carried out by university student clubs in our sector that we believe will contribute to it. As METYX, we are committed to supporting the local communities in which we live in the coming years.  

We have left 2022 behind. What are your company's targets for 2023?

In 2022, we grew by investing in new technologies, people, new production lines and even new facilities, and we achieved our year-end targets. I believe that in 2023, we will continue to grow with our investments in new areas. However, this year we have added sustainability to our priorities. With the goal of leaving a better world for tomorrow, we have made it our mission to identify the dangers we globally face and to create awareness—as both an organization and as individuals—about how we can prevent or eliminate these dangers. We will undertake many activities to spread an innovation culture within our company. Foremost among these are our R&D activities, and we will continue our certification work related to our R&D center in Manisa. This year, we also aim to reach a wider audience with the Metycalc application that we developed to help composite engineers and engineering students achieve their target rigidity, strength and weight goals in laminate designs, which is accessible from our website. Beyond these, of course, we will continue to work at the highest standards and, over the next 12 to 24 months, we will overcome the economic difficulties that have become a part of our lives with courage and hard work.