Odak Kimya Founder Ayla Çuhadaroğlu Answers Our Questions

In the interview we conducted, Ayla Çuhadaroğlu, Founder and General Manager of Odak Kimya, answered our questions. Çuhadaroğlu stated that Odak Kimya operates in the field of color management solutions and provided information about the company's products and services.

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

I graduated from the Istanbul Technical University Department of Chemical Engineering in 1989. During my career, I worked at two companies where I gained valuable experience. I served as Chemical Process Manager for three years at Profilo A.Ş. production facilities, and subsequently worked as Sales Manager at Tara Kimya for 6 years. We founded Odak Kimya Ltd. at the end of 1998.

Could you provide information about Odak Kimya's establishment process and the stages it has gone through until today?

Odak Kimya was established at the end of 1998 with the aim of operating in the field of color management solutions. We started by selling color measurement devices in what we call industrial sectors (paints, plastics, automotive, etc.). In this regard, we partnered with GretagMacbeth, one of the world-leading companies in this field. Every year, we added new products to our portfolio that would complement each other. We were cautious in expanding our product portfolio. While adding new products, we also gained authorization to sell GretagMacbeth products in other sectors (printing, packaging, inks). As a result of the merger between GretagMacbeth and X-Rite, another strong brand in color measurement systems, in 2006, the product portfolios were combined—X-Rite strong in the industrial sector, and GretagMacbeth strong in the printing, prepress and textile sectors—resulting in a very strong color management solution supplier across all sectors. Following this merger, we were positioned as a distributor by X-Rite in the industrial sector. Until 2014, we were responsible for all sectors except textiles. As of 2014, we began working as a solution partner of X-Rite responsible for all sectors. We operate with a team of 24 people across three offices in Istanbul's Anatolian Side, European Side, and Adana.

Which sectors does Odak Kimya mainly serve and what types of products does it supply? Could you provide information about Odak Kimya's products, brands and services?

We can name over 10 sectors where color is important: paints, plastics, automotive, ceramics, packaging, printing, cosmetics, textiles, inks, photography, retail paints, food. Therefore, we serve the aforementioned sectors. Odak Kimya, with its flagship brand X-Rite products and complementary solutions, offers solutions in color measurement, management and communication technology—from the product design stage through selection, measurement, formulation, communication, and color matching to help users achieve the correct color at first attempt. As of 2014, we began offering products for color control in the process with Inline Color Measurement Solutions. Today, having become one of the leading organizations in the sector through applications and innovations based on color excellence, Odak Kimya works with numerous brands that are world leaders in color measurement systems, quality control programs, recipe programs, inline color measurement systems, color standards, online printing solutions, printing and proof papers, graphic monitors, illuminated proof control stations, dispensing machines, paint test equipment and road marking paint test equipment.

What kind of work do you undertake in the fields of innovation and R&D?

Odak Kimya simultaneously presents the innovations of the companies it works with to users in Turkey through Innovation Day events. In the field of R&D, it contributes to product development by transferring field applications to manufacturers and conducting trial tests of new products. It also provides indirect support through its assistance to educational institutions.

Odak Kimya is an expert company in the field of color. What is the importance of color and how does it affect consumer behavior?

According to psychological research conducted on marketing, the purchasing decision is made based on the impression gained in the first ninety seconds, and 93% of our perceptions are formed according to color. Color plays an 83% role in our purchasing decisions. For this reason, the importance of color as a quality control parameter increases every day. Therefore, all sectors need to pay careful attention to color.

How did 2016 go for you in terms of business volume and sales, and what are your expectations for 2017?

Despite the negative conditions of 2016, Odak Kimya completed the year with growth. The figures from the beginning of 2017 indicate we will have a positive year.

What criteria are prioritized when Odak Kimya develops investment plans? Does Odak Kimya have investment plans for the coming periods, and if so, what are they?

Looking at our field of operation, investments in the necessary equipment and training to maximize customer satisfaction in our product sales, post-sales application support, service and sectoral training services are priorities. Through the development of complementary products in our product portfolio, our investments will continue in the direction of strengthening our identity as a company that provides solutions, not just supplies products.