Interview with Ersin Ispartalıgil, General Manager of Surface Protection Systems

In the interview we conducted, Ersin Ispartalıgil, General Manager of Yüzey Koruma Sistemleri (YÜZ-KOR), answered our questions. Ispartalıgil described the products and services offered by YÜZ-KOR.

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

My name is Ersin Ispartalıgil, I am 42 years old, and I serve as Chairman of the Board and General Manager of Yüzey Koruma Sistemleri Pazarlama A.Ş. I graduated from Private Italian High School in 1995. In 1999, I completed my degree in Mechanical Engineering at Istanbul University. In 2002, I earned my Master's degree in Business Administration from Yıldız Technical University. I have spent my entire professional career at our family-managed company and have not worked elsewhere, but I have worked comprehensively in almost every department of our firm, including apprenticeship. I have served as General Manager for the past 3 years.

Could you provide information about YÜZ-KOR's establishment process and the stages it has gone through to reach today? How long has the company been in operation?

Our company was founded in 1972 by my late father Müfit Ispartalıgil to serve the surface treatment sector. Since its establishment, its field of activity has remained the same. Initially, our company established paint shop facilities, and later added blasting systems to our product range. Today, we design and manufacture turnkey surface treatment facilities for our industrial customer base.

Considering production facilities, machinery fleet and the number of employees, as well as data such as revenue and production volume, what is YÜZ-KOR's current structure?

Yüzey Koruma Sistemleri continues its operations at its factory in Beylikdüzü, Istanbul. All processes from design to shipment take place here. With our approximately 30 person young and dynamic workforce, flexible production principles, we differentiate ourselves positively from other companies doing similar work in the market through our productivity and customer-focused sales approach.

Which sectors does YÜZ-KOR primarily serve, and what types of products does it supply? Could you provide information about YÜZ-KOR's products, brands and services?

We are present in virtually every location where manufacturing takes place. Our primary sectors are automotive suppliers and component manufacturers, foundries and metallurgical firms, and steel mill facilities that we primarily serve. We provide our customers with completely need-oriented surface treatment solutions ranging from engineering services to turnkey facility installation and operation. Washing and degreasing systems, blasting and surface abrasion systems, paint shops and drying systems, dust collection systems, material handling and conveyor systems are our main product groups that we offer to our customers.

Could you tell us about your domestic and foreign sales activities? Which regions do you primarily focus on both domestically and abroad, and what types of products do you sell?

We work primarily on export, at a rate of 75-80 percent. Our main export market is the European Union. Abroad, we are able to serve our customers directly through our own sales and marketing company.

What kind of work are you doing at YÜZ-KOR in the areas of innovation and R&D? Do you have projects developed within the framework of university-industry cooperation, and if so, what are they?

We are currently working on a Robotic Surface Treatment Facility project that is supported by TÜBİTAK and is the first in Turkey and among the very few in the world that companies can perform. Within the framework of university-industry cooperation, we receive consulting services from esteemed faculty members and provide internship and project opportunities for young engineering students.

Could you provide information about YÜZ-KOR's environmental policy and sustainability approach? What can you tell us about your work related to occupational health and safety?

Our environmental policy is based on designing and manufacturing facilities that consume less energy and operate efficiently. Additionally, we modernize our older facilities at our customers' premises to increase energy efficiency.

What criteria are prioritized when YÜZ-KOR's investment plans are being formulated? Does YÜZ-KOR have investment plans for the coming periods, and if so, what are they?

Our priority investment has always been and will always be in people. For us, working with qualified team members will always be a priority both in improving our quality and in carrying the name of our country to better places in new markets.