Festo Türkiye Sales Manager Tolga Kutlu Answers Our Questions

In an interview we conducted, Festo Turkey Sales Manager Tolga Kutlu answered our questions. Kutlu provided information about Festo's technologies particularly in automation and process safety.

First, we would like to introduce you to our readers. Could you tell us about your education, professional career, personal interests and hobbies?

I was born in Istanbul in 1973, I am married and father to one daughter. My professional life began with my high school education; I was among the first graduates of Haydarpaşa Anatolian Technical High School, Automatic Control Department. After high school, I continued my education at Boğaziçi University and Kocaeli University. Most recently, I completed an online e-MBA program at ITU during the pandemic period. I started my professional career at Festo in 1993 while still a university student. I worked in many different departments and positions. Later, between 2006 and 2015, I served as sales manager at Pepperl-Fuchs. In 2015, I returned to Festo as sales manager and have been serving in this position for approximately eight years. Regarding personal interests and hobbies, I would say this is perhaps my weakest area. From my student years to today, due to the demanding work pace, I unfortunately have not had time to develop hobbies. It is partly my personal nature, and partly due to the nature of our work—continuous learning is very important to me. I can say that I devote my free time mostly to education and activities aimed at my personal development. [caption id="attachment_156546" align="aligncenter"] Festo Turkey Sales Manager Tolga Kutlu[/caption]  

Festo is an established firm that has been operating for many years and holds a respected position. Could you provide information about Festo's development from its founding to today? When did Festo Turkey commence operations?

Festo is a globally-scaled independent family company founded in 1925 in Esslingen, Germany. In its founding years, it focused on producing woodworking machinery and other industrial equipment, gradually moving toward pneumatic and automation technologies. In 1955, Festo made a major step with the production of pneumatic compact cylinders. From that date onwards, it began operating in the field of industrial automation and became a recognized brand worldwide. In 1965, it began operating in the field of education and educational materials under the name "Festo Didactic." With the experience gained since those years, it provides education, skills development, competency building and consulting services in approximately 61 countries worldwide. It is a leading supplier for technical education institutions worldwide and also a provider of consulting and training services for industry. It has approximately 20,800 employees worldwide and more than 300,000 customers. The company currently offers more than 30,000 products and system solutions for pneumatic and electrical automation technology; through various modular systems, these products can be adapted to specific customer applications in many different factory and process automation industry segments. These include pneumatic and electric drives, valve and pneumatic actuator groups, valves, servo motors, motion control, valve manifolds, connection technology, transport and assembly technology, conditioning units, connecting components, vacuum technology, sensors and control technology. Festo Turkey has been conducting its operations in the sector directly since 1989. These operations in Turkey have concentrated on various areas such as providing industrial automation products and systems and offering training and consulting services. In the Turkish market, Festo's solutions in the fields of machine automation, process automation, electrical automation and industrial education have gained significant acceptance in the sector and are being used extensively. In this way, Festo Turkey continues to play an important role in Turkey in line with its international development.

We know that Festo operates especially in the field of automation. What role do automation systems play in the chemical industry, and what kinds of solutions do you produce with which of your products as Festo?

Automation systems play a major role in the chemical industry. Because these systems make production processes more efficient, safe and sustainable. Automation systems enable production processes in the chemical sector to operate with less human intervention, which can increase process efficiency. Furthermore, with these systems, operations in the chemical industry can be carried out faster and without interruption. Systems with automation can collect and analyze large amounts of data. This data provides companies with insight into improving production processes, diagnosing errors and preventive maintenance. This data can optimize energy consumption and ensure more efficient use of resources. This will also help the chemical industry achieve its sustainability goals. Automation systems provide remote access capabilities, allowing experts to monitor production processes remotely and intervene when necessary. This increases operational efficiency and simplifies maintenance processes. The chemical industry generally works with potentially hazardous materials. Automation increases workplace safety by automating processes in areas where people are at risk, reducing accidents and exposure risk. In conclusion, automation systems play an important role in creating safer, more efficient and competitive production processes in the chemical industry. These systems will help businesses achieve better results and reach their sustainability goals.

What products and systems does Festo provide in the scope of Process Safety? Could you provide detailed information?

Festo provides various products and systems within the scope of process safety in the field of industrial automation. The primary objective of process safety is to prevent hazards that could harm workers and other people. Successful process safety management does not only minimize harm to people and the environment, but also prevents devastating economic losses. By reducing process fluctuations and shutdowns, it contributes to higher quality. While the importance of safety standards continues to increase, the demand for safety now covers the entire control chain, from the compressed air preparation stage to drive and control systems, not just specific elements and components. Bringing processes, machinery and facilities to the highest possible level of safety is now among the fundamental objectives of the industry. Whether in process industry or industrial automation; at every level of automation, in every product related to automation, safety always carries special importance for Festo. For this reason, safety is our first priority in everything we do and every product we produce. Process Safety products and systems offered by Festo are designed for the most challenging working conditions and have proven themselves worldwide. Additionally, with SIL and ATEX-certified process valves, pneumatic actuators, sensors, valve and valve manifold solutions, Ex control cabinets and many other products and solutions in our product portfolio tailored to the needs of processes, machinery and facilities, we support our customers in laying the foundation for their safe processes.

Festo offers highly comprehensive training programs. Could you provide information about these training programs? How do these trainings affect worker health and safety; what are your comments?

Festo is a leading automation technology provider globally. Festo Didactic is a leading supplier of technical training solutions. Behind Festo's overall success are continuous innovations in pneumatics, problem-solving capabilities and various technical training programs. Today, education should focus on skills such as problem-solving, applying principles, analytical thinking and creativity rather than simply memorizing information. In the learning process, approaches based on feedback and correction can promote higher-level mental development. In this context, methods such as providing hints, ensuring participation and using applications can enhance advanced thinking abilities. With the experience it has gained since 1965, Festo Didactic provides education, skills development and consulting services in 62 countries worldwide. As a pioneer in technical education, it has equipped more than 36,000 educational institutions with its equipment. Its objective is to bring learning to the highest level in educational institutions and industrial companies. Festo Didactic is a leading equipment and solution provider in industrial education. It provides comprehensive solutions in Industry 4.0, pneumatics, hydraulics, electronics, electrical engineering, mechatronics, CNC technology, energy efficiency, mobility, renewable energies, industrial maintenance, mechanics, welding and telecommunications. It designs training systems, laboratories, learning factories, e-learning solutions and programs and prepares people to work in complex industrial environments. Festo Didactic Industrial Academy offers training programs tailored to companies or open to general participation. Company-specific trainings are conducted at the locations determined by the company with current application training sets. Training is conducted theoretically and practically, and participants are issued certificates. Technical training programs help participants develop specific skills and competencies. These types of trainings contribute to participants performing their work more effectively and safely. Worker health and safety hold great importance in many sectors, and these types of training programs help create a safer working environment in the workplace. Our training programs provide participants with benefits in many areas. Let me briefly summarize these benefits. Technical trainings provide participants with the correct technical knowledge and skills required for their work. This allows participants to perform their work more effectively and correctly, while helping to reduce errors and accidents. Technical training programs teach participants the correct use and regular maintenance of equipment. This minimizes equipment failures and increases workplace safety. Training programs provide participants with information about identifying potential risk factors in the workplace and reducing these risks. It helps participants recognize dangerous situations and potential hazards in advance. Technical trainings provide participants with information about how to respond in emergencies. The ability to act correctly during fires, accidents or other emergencies is critical to ensuring the safety of workers and the workplace. Training positively influences communication and workplace culture among participants. Solid communication and collaboration culture among participants helps increase safety. In conclusion, properly designed technical training programs support worker health and safety. Having participants possess correct information, skills and awareness contributes to creating a safe environment in the workplace.

Concepts such as digitalization and Industry 4.0 have now become indispensable components of industry. In this context, what kinds of innovations and R&D activities does Festo undertake?

Festo, as a pioneering firm in industrial automation and automation technologies, allocates approximately 7% of its annual sales to R&D activities. It undertakes various innovations and R&D activities in line with digitalization and Industry 4.0 concepts. I would like to provide some examples from our work in this area. Festo provides capabilities for real-time monitoring of equipment status and data collection through intelligent sensors integrated into its products. This data enables better understanding of production processes, performance improvement and preventive maintenance. Cloud-based platforms developed by our company provide the ability to collect, analyze and share production data. In this way, remote monitoring, data analysis and rapid decision-making processes are supported. Digital twins or digital counterparts of products are virtual models of real-world products. Through these twins, processes from product design to the final product can be simulated, allowing better design and production decisions. Festo also conducts research on autonomous systems and robots in addition to industrial automation. These robots are used to support more flexible and intelligent operations on production lines. Additionally, data analytics and artificial intelligence technologies are used to make production data meaningful, identify patterns and opportunities. All of this translates to the potential to provide more efficient and faster production processes. Festo also develops interactive training tools using digitalization and simulation technologies in the field of industrial education. This allows employees and students to develop their skills in virtual environments similar to real-world experience. With these innovations and technologies, Festo aims to meet the needs of its customers by providing sustainable, efficient and intelligent solutions in the field of industrial automation. R&D efforts and digital transformation initiatives help keep the company as an industry leader while providing new directions to the industry.

Could you provide information about your future strategies? What kinds of investments do you plan to make in the near and long term? Which criteria do you prioritize when making these plans?

As a family company, Festo thinks and acts with a responsible and long-term perspective. Festo's core values represent the highest quality and customer-focused innovation. Since its founding, it has set standards in industrial automation technology and technical education, contributing to the sustainable development of the environment, economy and society. In its future strategy, Festo focuses on the objective of placing digitalization, electrification, robotics and sustainability principles at the center of transformation. Festo advances digitalization across all organizational divisions, taking its customers and employees toward a digital future. For this purpose, the company develops new concepts for the future based on the triplet of innovative and energy-efficient technologies, intuitive human-machine collaboration and education and advanced training. Since 2018, it has significantly expanded its competence in artificial intelligence. With its Festo AX software platform, it provides an AI-based software solution that enables improvement of production processes through predictive maintenance of assets and machinery, monitoring of production quality or energy consumption, and continues its work in this field. Sustainability is one of the cornerstones of Festo's future strategy. It continues its necessary activities to minimize environmental impacts throughout the product lifecycle, protect natural resources and fulfill social responsibilities. This strategy reflects a comprehensive vision for Festo both to optimize internal operations and to provide our customers with valuable and environmentally conscious solutions. When digitalization, electrification, robotics and sustainability principles come together, the company not only increases its own growth and competitiveness but also contributes to a more sustainable and innovative industry of the future.