DOĞAN SELÇUK ÖZTÜRK / ANEKDOT
● Mr. Bedi, can we begin by attending to know you?
I used to be born in 1930 in Izmir. I accomplished my major and highschool schooling in İzmir. I got here to Istanbul in 1949 and began the mechanical engineering division of the present Yıldız Technical College, previously Yıldız Engineering College, and graduated in 1953. First, I labored at Turkish Motor for some time, and after my army service, I labored at Nato Radar Services. After I realized that the Basic Directorate of Pension Fund was searching for an engineer throughout the framework of the funding transfer initiated for touristic services, I utilized there. I labored as a central management engineer within the venture, which incorporates giant services such because the Hilton Resort, Tarabya Resort and Efes Resort. I labored right here till 1960. Then I first labored as an engineer in Germany for eight months, after which went to the USA for a grasp’s diploma. I labored as an engineer in an American plumbing firm till 64 years. After I returned to Turkey, I obtained married and arrange my very own venture workplace. After that, I continued my very own enterprise.
WE STARTED MANUFACTURING WHILE PROJECTING AND CONTRACTING CONTINUES
● Let’s speak a bit of bit about Kind Grup…
We began with the venture. From the locations the place we make initiatives, “Are you able to make their commitments?” When the provides got here, we went to that space as properly. We had taken the dedication of the air con techniques of the Ankara Basic Directorate of Highways constructing. I went to Istanbul to purchase supplies and tools. At the moment there was a Dutch firm known as Grasso. When the boys examined the specification, they mentioned, “We won’t do this.” We had been within the center. We requested some elements from our pals in America and made the gadget ourselves. For the primary time, we made a freon chiller group in Turkey. We had undertaken the air con contracting work of the terminal buildings of some airports. Their initiatives had been performed, they got here to the machine room and had been left there. They mentioned, “Let the contractor select it”. The amount they left was tiny. One of many air conditioners holds 4-5 meters. It will not match within the room, it is not possible. our work in America, we grew to become the primary firm in Turkey to make duct humidification units. That is how we began the manufacturing whereas the venture and contracting continued. When the import interval began, we began to import machines that would not be made in Turkey. In Turgut Özal’s time, when the applying of zero customs responsibility for the units to be bought for touristic services got here out, we gave our weight to the company. We’ve made greater than 10 company agreements. We’ve performed contracting works overseas in Russia, Libya and Saudi Arabia. However the contracting enterprise and the manufacturing enterprise overlapped. We couldn’t promote the units we manufacture to corporations that made commitments. This time we left the dedication and returned to manufacturing and illustration. We transferred the corporate from Ankara to Istanbul. Afterwards, we constructed a really giant and fashionable manufacturing unit in Izmir and moved our manufacturing there. At present with three international corporations; We’ve partnerships and know-how agreements with Japanese Mitsubishi, American Lennox and American-Swedish firm Munters. We even have our personal Kind services, Kind merchandise and consultancy companies. We proceed as three home corporations and three corporations with international companions.
● Can we hearken to the story of your entry into the air con trade?
An occasion that decided my skilled life and enabled me to enter the air-conditioning sector occurred by likelihood whereas I used to be working on the Pension Fund. Someday I used to be within the workplace reviewing resort initiatives. The overall supervisor noticed me and requested what I used to be doing. I mentioned: “I’m taking a look at initiatives. We are going to make the required checks and certify.” His eyes fell on the royal suite. “Have you ever ever used the tools right here?” mentioned. I used to be stunned too. “I mentioned no. After I got here to Istanbul, I used to be staying in Sirkeci resorts. (Laughs) “Okay.” he mentioned and left. Two or three hours later the overall secretary phoned. “Carry three images and a start certificates.” “Wait. What’s taking place?” I mentioned. “You are going to Germany,” he mentioned. After our dialog, the overall supervisor mentioned, “Let’s ship younger pals to Europe in order that they will enhance their information and expertise” and a choice was taken on this route. They despatched us to Germany with the management engineer in Ulus Workplace. For 10 days, we toured the resorts, toured the engine rooms. Thus, our horizons had been opened. I went to Europe 4 instances whereas I used to be working there. I made negotiations and purchases. It has been of nice profit to me professionally.
“Dad, we’re useless”
● Can we proceed with an attention-grabbing reminiscence which you can’t neglect?
Someday, Ankara Social Insurance coverage Supervisor Turgut Bey known as me. “I’m sending you two pals. Take heed to them, then we’ll see you.” Two individuals got here. Somebody mentioned within the Adana accent, “Dad, we’re useless”. She was devastated. Fortuitously, we realized that two tenders had been made for the air-conditioning set up of Adana Social Insurance coverage Hospital. No person has taken it. When it got here out for the third time, these individuals purchased it. Additionally they gave a letter of assure. When the boys mentioned to begin, they realized the matter and mentioned: “We don’t perceive air con. We entered this tender for the rug work.” After all, the establishment didn’t wish to go away them as a result of they discovered somebody who took the tender. Anyway, we met with different corporations in Ankara. We shared the work and accomplished the venture. It has been 3-4 months. After I got here to the workplace, I noticed that these two pals are sitting. “No,” I mentioned. “Is there a fault? Does not it work?” “No, my brother,” they mentioned. “We’re right here to get provides. We grew to become air conditioners too.”
● You have got additionally labored for big resort teams. Are you able to describe considered one of them?
We constructed the services of Ankara Dedeman. They had been very glad. They requested us for provides for different services they constructed. Since we’re continuously working, we now have ready a really first rate supply. We value pennies, we stored the revenue margin very low. We went to satisfy with Mr. Kemal (Dedeman). He was the final to determine. “We’re happy with you. We wish to proceed, however your worth is just too costly,” he mentioned. “Kemal Bey, we now have eliminated all of those as a result of we intend to work with you repeatedly. Look, that is the margin left for us,” I mentioned. “No,” he mentioned, “you’ll deduct.” “We won’t,” I mentioned. “5 %,” he mentioned. I mentioned “no”. “Properly, cannot you do one %?” mentioned. “I mentioned no. “I am not giving it then,” he mentioned. Everybody was stunned, in fact. Anyway, we broke up. Then they mentioned, “What did you do? That is Kemal Bey’s behavior, he will certainly discount.” “What ought to I do know? I’ve clearly proven you what we’re doing,” I mentioned. “I want we had informed you. Put a bargaining chip on it,” they mentioned. We positively began to place three or 5 bargaining shares within the subsequent provides we gave to Dedeman.
WE BELIEVE IT WAS WORTH IT
● You have got introduced publications to your trade.
Sadly, there was no info and paperwork in our sector for some time. For a very long time, we considered what we should always do to assist the trade. Then we determined to compile and summarize the works that the trade has performed to this point. We struggled for about three years, went round all the businesses and sadly we noticed that many corporations wouldn’t have a correct archive. For instance, we couldn’t discover a image of Todari Karakaş, the founding father of Tokar, one of many first to begin the sector. We took his footage from his household who died in Switzerland and put them within the album. Because of a really severe effort, we revealed the historical past of the sector with our e-book titled “Turkish Air Conditioning Sector within the Witnesses of Veterans” and printed this work earlier than our fiftieth anniversary. We consider our efforts are value it. Then we ready our e-book titled “From the First Day to This Day, 56 Years of the Kind Group within the Air Conditioning Sector”, which incorporates our personal company historical past. Who has labored with us? Who did we do enterprise with? We’ve performed tons of and hundreds of works, even we now have forgotten a few of them… We took them out of the archives and picked up them on this e-book. We’re happy to current these two books to the trade.
In Turgut Özal’s time, when the applying of zero customs responsibility for the units to be bought for touristic services got here out, we gave our weight to the company. We’ve made greater than 10 illustration agreements. However the contracting enterprise and the manufacturing enterprise overlapped. We couldn’t promote the units we manufacture to corporations that made commitments. This time we left the dedication and returned to manufacturing and illustration.
The financial institution stopped our enterprise
We bought Dunham Busch screw chillers to all branches of a non-public financial institution in Izmir. One of many competitor corporations informed our buyer, “These machines are welded, when it fails, the compressor can’t be repaired. That is why he ought to be despatched to America,” he mentioned. The financial institution stopped our enterprise. The American firm was welded the outer casing in order that the machine wouldn’t be opened and tampered with. Ask the corporate, “Cannot you manufacture it as flanged?” we mentioned. “There is no such thing as a approach,” they mentioned. So we sat down, welded open the casing of the compressor, eliminated the outer casings and fitted the flange. This was not a modification that will stop the compressor from working. For the reason that producer firm didn’t enable this, we mentioned at the moment, “We give a assure as an alternative of the corporate.” Anyway, the financial institution allowed us to proceed enterprise. After that, we began to say to different prospects, “We open them, we give them to you want this”. And our gross sales have elevated significantly. Competitors labored for us.
They bought the gorgeous manufacturing unit for the worth of the sector.
● Have you ever ever had a job that made you unhappy?
A cooperative was established in Kırşehir by the employees in Europe with the encouragement of our authorities. This cooperative determined to construct a cultivated mushroom manufacturing unit and two public banks supported this institution. We obtained the turnkey job. We had been doing properly beneath the auspices of a Swiss marketing consultant agency. However in 74 an financial disaster broke out. The canned items had been virtually completed, however the firm was in bother for cash. At the moment, banks started to strain the corporate to pay the mortgage. The wages of the employees couldn’t be paid, the supplies couldn’t be bought. We weren’t getting our cash. We lasted for 3-4 months, it isn’t like it may occur. I requested a gathering with the banks. We sat in Ankara with the assistant common managers. I defined the state of affairs and mentioned that Turkey wanted such fashionable services. I requested them to strengthen the agency a bit of. The reply they gave me was: “The situation of this manufacturing unit may be very invaluable. If this place is bought, we are able to get our mortgage. Give it some thought.” I used to be shocked and mentioned, “You can not do trade in Turkey with this mentality.” They bought that stunning manufacturing unit for the worth of a subject. It is among the issues I remorse probably the most.