Kappa Kimya's Chairman of the Board Mr. M. Cem Kocayaş

We had a pleasant conversation with M. Cem Kocayaş, Board Chairman of Kappa Kimya, about developments in the paints and coatings chemicals sector. Kocayaş described his company's establishment and development process.

Could you briefly tell our readers about yourself, your education, your position in the company and your professional background in the sector?

Since graduating from university in 1993, I have worked in both the paints and paper sectors. In November 1993, I established my first company and started operations as a representative, which had been my dream since high school. In the paper sector, a large portion of the work continues as representation. However, due to developments in both the domestic and global paints market, our way of working changed over time, and today we conduct most of our operations through imports.

Could you outline the establishment and development process of Kappa Kimya?

Kappa Kimya was established in 1994 as a representation company. In those years, products from Far Eastern pigment manufacturers were not sold directly in the market. The market was dominated mostly by European companies. We entered the market with the representation of what is now called 'Nymco Spa / Italy' (formerly Sitraco Trading S.p.A.) to market organic pigments. Pigment manufacturers, being among global firms, we achieved successful momentum as alternative suppliers to customers in terms of quality and price. Once products began finding space in the market, we started stock sales of pigments in certain categories as circumstances required. Later, inorganic pigments, resins and other by-products were added to our product range. Over time, Far Eastern companies entered the market. Initially they did not create a very positive image, but as they achieved considerable improvements in quality and trade matters, they gained dominance today. We also added Far Eastern origin pigments to our inventory as an alternative to our Italian products and reached our current volume. Our other department continues representation for nearly 50 companies in the paper and cellulose industry and is a company with a broad product range in its field.

Could you tell us about your product groups? Which sectors do you serve?

Our product groups are: organic pigments, inorganic pigments, glitters, microfibers, titanium dioxide, melamine resins. The sectors we serve are: industrial paints, powder coatings, construction paints, inks, plastics and rubber sectors.

Do you have investment plans for Kappa Kimya in the coming years, and if so, what are they?

As science and technology develop, new developments emerge in the raw materials sector. As Kappa Kimya, we closely follow these developments. To this end, we are making new investments to provide better service to the sectors we serve. We are currently working on lead-free pigment products. Could you tell us about your domestic and foreign sales activities? Which regions do you primarily serve domestically and abroad, and what types of sales do you conduct? We have a customer portfolio in almost all parts of our country, from Izmir to Iğdır, from Trabzon to Hatay. Our sales department colleagues frequently visit our customers to manage customer relations. We conduct our sales both on a proforma basis and from stock, depending on our customer's needs.

What aspects do you emphasize to ensure your products' long-term presence in the market?

We established Kappa Kimya A.Ş. in 1994. Since our establishment, our greatest claim has been product consistency and quality service. If you can maintain product quality and deliver orders to your customers on the date you committed to, your presence, like ours, lasts a long time. As proof of this claim, we can point to our customers to whom we have sold the same pigment from the same manufacturer for 24 years.

Could you mention striking technological innovations in the paints and coatings chemicals sector?

As the most striking technological innovation in the sector, we can mention products that are more sensitive to the environment and human health. The new global trend is now green living. For this reason, people are trying to minimize negative effects on the environment and health. Therefore, demand for environmentally friendly products is increasing every day. To meet the demands arising from this new lifestyle, there is very rapid transformation in all paint subsectors. In particular, the quantity and variety of water-based products are increasing every day.

What types of services do you provide to ensure customer satisfaction and meet their expectations?

We closely follow the products they produce. To increase their competitive capacity, we offer them substitute products. We also continuously provide information about changes and trends in the sector.

Could you provide information about your company's mission and vision?

To continuously improve our product and service quality and meet customer demands and expectations at the highest level. To be continuously with our customers through strong communication. To provide continuous new products in our field to increase our company's market effectiveness and productivity, and to maintain the reliability and respect we have earned in our sector.

How would you evaluate the sector, past and present?

We believe this question should be examined from both consumer and manufacturer perspectives. Our serious manufacturing companies have been very successful in advancing the standard in paint quality. They have fulfilled their responsibilities in the sector both in quality and appearance. Compared to the past, product variety and quality are satisfactory. Especially in special sectors such as automotive and heavy industry, highly qualified products have been developed. Similarly, in decorative paints, various quality products are continuously supplied to the market. From the consumer perspective, we cannot see paint culture and consumption developing with the same degree of success. There are various reasons for this. Along with the financial aspect of the matter, the problem is largely being resolved through the guidance of paint contractors. Conscious and investigative consumers unfortunately tend toward cheap alternatives presented to them. Per capita paint consumption and consumer awareness, unfortunately, lag behind Europe, and this problem has persisted from the past to the present. We believe that raising this standard should be a future goal of the sector.