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Interview with Dr. Gerd Bergmann, CEO of Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH

Turkchem 07 Sep 2016 30 7 dk okuma

TURKCHEM

We had an enjoyable interview with Dr. Gerd Bergmann, CEO of Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH, and Rüştü Barkay, General Manager of Nordmann, Rassmann Türkiye, about their professional backgrounds, the company's entry process into the Turkish market, its goals and R&D activities.

Nordmann Rassmann, a leading European chemical and natural raw materials producer, has opened its Turkey office. We conducted an engaging interview with Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH CEO Dr. Gerd Bergmann and Nordmann, Rassmann Turkey General Manager Rüştü Barkay about their professional backgrounds, the company's entry process into the Turkish market, its targets and research and development activities.

Could you briefly introduce yourselves to our readers, tell us about your education, your position in NRC Group and your professional background in the sector, Mr. Dr. Gerd Bergmann and Mr. Rüştü Barkay?

Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH CEO Dr. Gerd Bergmann: I completed my education in chemistry at the doctoral level. In 1998, I began my professional career as Materials Development Manager at an automotive company. Between 2007-2008, I held a management position at an international polymer producer. In 2009, I joined Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH as manager of the Additives and Plastics Unit. Since 2013, I have been serving as CEO of our company.

Nordmann, Rassmann Turkey General Manager Rüştü Barkay:

After graduating from İzmir Bornova Anadolu High School, I graduated from the Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Industrial Engineering. I received business education at the University of Innsbruck in Austria and completed a master's degree in International Marketing at UCLA University. I worked as Foreign Trade Director at GıdaSA for ten years and later served as Board Member and General Manager at CNR Holding. Between 2009-2012, I continued my work as Board Member and General Manager at Plastay Kimya, and served as Executive Board Member and Petrochemicals Director at Bayegan Dış Ticaret A.Ş. for four years.

" Nordmann Rassman's 104-year history is based on a remarkable example of loyalty! "

Can you provide information to our readers about your company's history in the global industry?

RB: Nordmann Rassmann is a 104-year-old German company. Founded in 1912 in Hamburg, Germany by Eduard Nordmann and Fritz Rassmann, Rassmann later died during wartime, so the company was actually developed and expanded by Eduard Nordmann. Eduard Nordmann showed a remarkable example of loyalty by maintaining his friend's memory and ensuring the company name would not change by making a will to that effect. Since Eduard Nordmann had no children, he transferred the company to his brother's son and, giving all authority in the company, requested a commitment that the company name would not be changed. Nordmann Rassmann began trading in 1915. Its main business is natural rubber trading on an international scale. Rubber held a significant place in the company's founding. Subsequently, the second generation took the helm. Growth continued in various countries… Based on its main business of selling chemicals and additives, the company is one of Europe's largest. Our company, in its 104th year, has established its own company in Turkey, becoming the 16th country in Europe in which we operate alongside Germany.

" Turkey ranks among the most important markets in Europe. " Can you summarize NRC Group's entry process into the Turkish market? What does the Turkish market mean for NRC Group?

GB: We are very pleased that Turkey is the fifteenth country for us, following fourteen other countries where we operate in Europe besides Germany. When growing our business, we are careful to invest in countries of high importance to us. Turkey was one of these countries, and we are extremely satisfied to be here. I can say that factors such as Turkey's developing and growing economy and its place among countries with growth potential for the future have increased our pace in initiating this operation. We believe that the team we will create for Turkey will quickly adapt to our existing team and contribute greatly both to our growth and to the Turkish economy. We have entrusted Turkey's operations to Rüştü Barkay. We have full confidence in his knowledge and experience. He is a highly respected and well-known figure in the sector. Moreover, he is someone who shares the same vision as Nordmann, Rassmann's corporate culture. I believe that with the synergy we have created, we will make a difference in the market and sign successful projects.

Can you give general information about your product groups and target sectors?

RB: We have five priority sectors. These are, in order: pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, paints and coatings, plastics and additives, rubber and oil chemicals. In the first stage, we will be more active in these five sectors.

" Our priority is paints, plastics, rubber and additives. "

Which of your product groups do you plan to highlight in Turkey? What are your target sectors in Turkey? Can you provide information?

GB: Initially, our focus is on the paints, plastics, rubber and additives sector. These are our priority sectors in our targets. However, we will certainly evaluate other opportunities that come our way. So far, we have made excellent progress in many countries. We have the same expectations for Turkey.

What can you tell us about your sales activities? Which regions are your primary sales focus?

GB: NRC is a global company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, and is Europe's leading chemical raw materials distributor. Apart from Turkey, our company operates in Sweden, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Additionally, NRC works in areas such as the cosmetics, home care, pharmaceuticals, food, construction, coatings, adhesives, plastics, rubber and polyurethane industries. The company's 2014 turnover reached approximately EUR 330 million, and it currently operates with 300 employees in Germany and operations across 15 different European countries.

Can you provide information about your laboratory and research and development activities? What can you tell us about your R&D investments?

GB: We have our own laboratory at our headquarters in Germany. We have separate laboratories for plastics, rubber and paints. We have a team of 70 engineers working there, and this laboratory also works together with our manufacturers' laboratories.

At the same time, we are conducting our own research and development work. In Turkey, we have a system that can not only provide the supply of raw materials to our customers, but also provide technical support and R&D assistance to meet their expectations regarding the quality or results they wish to achieve in their final products.

Therefore, we can provide very serious information. We have the infrastructure to address all technical issues faced by manufacturers in Turkey.

" We are ready for digital transformation. "

What are the issues you prioritize to ensure the continued availability of your products in the market for a long time?

We serve more than twenty industries in total. Each has its own dynamics and trends. To answer your question in brief terms: we follow regulations and meet their requirements in line with market dynamics. For example, REACH regulations had some market effects in the past. We expect some effects in 2017. When it is fully implemented in 2018, we as an institution will be ready. We meet all requirements for chemicals to be brought to the market and distributed in a healthy manner. On the other hand, doing business in the market is becoming increasingly difficult. Information is now everywhere. As a distributor company, we often have to prove our capabilities to our business partners. For this reason, we are restructuring all our investments to keep pace with the digital age. We expect a major digital transformation in the sectors we operate in over the next decade, even sooner. We are preparing our efforts according to these trends. We have focused on developing our capabilities to provide tailor-made solutions to our customers. This new structure includes everything from electronically connecting with our customers to producing different customized solutions.

Do you have any social responsibility projects related to environmental awareness?

As a globally leading market company, we operate with the awareness that world resources are limited. In this context, while making efforts to ensure the most effective, economical and efficient use of existing resources, we are also taking a pioneering role in raising environmental awareness in the market. When creating our product range, we continuously strive to search for renewable natural raw materials that meet sustainability criteria.

On the other hand, today climate change is one of the biggest challenges we must address and take measures against for humans and the environment. As is known, carbon footprint studies are based on a program developed to understand and implement the responsibilities of organizations in combating human-induced global warming and climate change. In this context, employers, employees and third parties (customers, suppliers, etc.) must operate within the framework of a program that aims to raise awareness, particularly on how to act on environmental issues affecting climate processes. As a company, I would like to emphasize that we demonstrate quite sensitive behavior regarding carbon footprint. Among chemical raw materials distributors in the sector, we are the company that takes the most responsibility for this issue. Beyond supporting the work done on the subject, in manufacturing or transportation, we try to avoid products that have high emissions as much as possible.

Climate change, which has continued for millions of years under the influence of natural processes, has increased its impact and damage in recent times due to human-caused environmental pollution. We direct our work with the awareness that each person and organization has responsibilities in order to pass on the clean and healthy environmental heritage we inherited from the past to future generations as it should be.

What would you like to say about your targets and expectations regarding the office you have opened in Turkey?

GB: One of the most important factors we consider when making our investments is focusing on countries to which we attach importance. We are quite pleased that Turkey is one of the countries we consider important and that Turkey has been added to the list of countries where we operate in Europe. I believe that Turkey's growing and continuously developing economy will increase our pace in realizing our future plans. I am confident that the team we will create in Turkey will quickly adapt to our existing team and contribute greatly both to our company and to the Turkish economy. I believe that with our Country General Manager Rüştü Barkay, Turkey's operations will make a difference in the market and sign successful projects. We have entrusted the Istanbul-based Turkey Office to him and we have full confidence in his experience and knowledge.

Gallery

Interview with Dr. Gerd Bergmann, CEO of Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH

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Interview with Dr. Gerd Bergmann, CEO of Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH

Could you briefly introduce yourselves to our readers, tell us about your education, your position in NRC Group and your professional background in the sector, Mr. Dr. Gerd Bergmann and Mr. Rüştü Barkay?

Nordmann, Rassmann Turkey General Manager Rüştü Barkay:

Can you provide information to our readers about your company's history in the global industry?

Can you give general information about your product groups and target sectors?

What can you tell us about your sales activities? Which regions are your primary sales focus?

Can you provide information about your laboratory and research and development activities? What can you tell us about your R&D investments?

What are the issues you prioritize to ensure the continued availability of your products in the market for a long time?

Do you have any social responsibility projects related to environmental awareness?

What would you like to say about your targets and expectations regarding the office you have opened in Turkey?

Gallery

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