We Held an Interview with Ali Özalp, General Manager of PolexChem

We conducted an engaging interview with Ali Özalp, General Manager of PolexChem, on the polyurethane sector.

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

I was born in Istanbul in 1983. I am married with two children. I have been in professional business life for 15 years. I am both a partner and member of the Board of Directors, as well as General Manager of Poleks Kimya San. and Tic. A.Ş.

When was PolexChem founded? What development process has your company undergone since its establishment?

Our facility, which manufactures polyurethane systems, was established in 1999 with 100% domestic capital and operates in a 25,000 m² closed production area. In our facility with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons, P.U. systems and all components of these systems (polyester resin, polyol, prepolymer and catalyst systems) are produced entirely in-house. In the service categories we cover, while the market grows on average at a rate of 5-6% annually, the PolexChem brand continues on a path above market average. I can share the information that we will continue at full speed with our investments in this field. In our 2019 sales and marketing plans, we are targeting to increase this ratio to 60% and become a company that primarily conducts export business.

Could you provide information about your products and product groups?

Our product groups are classified into 5 main categories: footwear and slipper polyurethane systems, construction polyurethane systems, heating and cooling polyurethane systems, automotive sector polyurethane systems and furniture sector polyurethane systems. We aim to serve all applications under the main headings within the framework of strategic business plans we have implemented.

Could you provide information about your R&D activities?

In the polyurethane systems of the main categories we serve, we are working to develop our products based on two main principles: being "suited to sector development" and "providing advantages." While strengthening our R&D and product development team, we have included the establishment of a generally recognized "R&D Center" in our 2019 business plans.

Could you tell us about your domestic and foreign sales? Which regions do you primarily serve?

Our foreign sales account for approximately 40% of total sales. In our 2019 sales and marketing plans, we are targeting to increase this ratio to 60% and become a company that primarily conducts export business. Currently, we export to Middle Eastern and African countries, Turkic Republics, Eastern Europe and Russia.

Could you mention your new targets and projects?

For now, while it remains a business confidentiality matter, I can say that starting from the first quarter of 2019, we will continue to contribute to the sector with our new products whose tests and qualifications have been proven. I am confident that together with these products that we will bring to our country as an important export item, they will make a significant contribution to the PolexChem brand.

What measures do you take to continuously ensure customer satisfaction and quality production?

With our 19 years of experience, we have identified customer satisfaction as our focal point in all service categories. We place great importance on after-sales services, customer-specific solutions and expertise. We conduct customer satisfaction surveys every six months and, by analyzing the multifaceted data obtained, we update our continuous improvement policies. With our high production capability, quick service and expert team, maintaining customer satisfaction at the highest levels without compromising on quality is a fundamental principle of our company.

Could you provide information about your sustainability and environmental activities?

As a company producing chemical products, we operate with a sense of responsibility towards the world and environment we live in. Our focal point is human and environmental health and safety, which we have adopted as our fundamental principle in all our production and investments. In PolexChem's production, on the one hand, with an effective waste management strategy, carbon emission rates and environmental waste have been brought below legal limits. In the energy aspect, obtaining minimum consumption with maximum efficiency and ensuring sustainability is our fundamental principle.

Any final remarks…

Looking at the current circumstances, despite our country going through difficult periods, I am confident that our potential is great and that we have the capacity to overcome difficulties. With export-focused steps through innovative and high value-added products, I am convinced that 2019 will be an even more productive year, and on behalf of the PolexChem family, I wish success to all industry representatives. With our high production capability, quick service and expert team, maintaining customer satisfaction at the highest levels without compromising on quality is a fundamental principle of our company