MPG A.Ş. FOREIGN TRADE MANAGER VEYSEL SOYLU
“MINE RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED WILL BE IN THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES INVENTORY FIRST TIME THIS YEAR
We've listened to Veysel Soylu, the Foreign Trade Manager, talk about MPG A.S, a Bera Holding company, one of the major crane manufacturers in the country, which has started to develop products for the defense industry in recent years, and adopts the principle of continuous improvement in production within their fast, high guality and efficient production service concept.
SAVTÜRK: Your company established in 1988, is among the well-established companies in Turkey. Can you tell us about the development process of its success in the sector?
Veysel SOYLU: Our company, which is an establishment of Bera Holding, is among the major crane manufacturers of Turkey. The main production of MPG A.Ş. consists of truck mounted folding boom hydraulic crane, telescopic boom cranes and tree lifters and transplanters. Our company, in addition to products for civilian use, also offers solutions for military use, consistently improving in line with the innovations required by the era and customer demands. Our products are manufactured both as a synthesis of revenue 30 years of experience and the innovations brought by technology. We continue our activities with our products in accordance with the relevant quality standards and our understanding of innovation.
SAVTÜRK: What are the most important features that make MPG A.Ş. stand out from other companies in the sector? What are your production-manufacturing principles?
Veysel SOYLU: With faster, better quality and more efficient production and service concept, our company has adopted the principle of continuous improvement in production. When compared to other companies in our sector, we can say that we differ with our R&D and software development activities. We have R&D center certificate issued by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology. As a natural result of this, we have achieved great results in both domestic and international projects by performing successfully in product development customizing the product according to market demands/customer request. The rise of the constructions brought with it the need for both increase capacity and quantity. This situation provides development of the crane sector. As one of the determinants of the developing market, we develop all the machines in our product range in line with the standards. In this respect, EN 2080 European standard certificate, which is completed in all stages and only a few crane manufacturers have in the world, was given to our company by Danish Institute of Technology and we became the first company who can get this certificate in Turkey. EN 280 certified cranes can also be used as human lifting platform.
SAVTÜRK:The presence of your products on both civilian and military sides in your company shows that R&D studies are also prominent. Can we get information about your R&D activities?
Veysel SOYLU: There are 7 TEYDEB (Technology and Innovation Grant Programs Directorate) projects in our company. Of these, 6 Industrial R&D projects were completed and 1 Field R&D project continues. In addition to civilian use, our company also makes product development works for military use and contributes to civilian use and defense industry as a main and subcontractor with its solutions against different needs and demands. As a result of our engineering and R&D studies, we have produced one of the world's highest folding boom cranes. With a total load moment of 430 tons and a hydraulic reach of 60 meters, this crane is specially designed for European and Middle Eastern markets. Active balance control, active load lifting diagram, diagnostics, remote software upgrade are the main features of the crane. This product will be one of the models that will enable us to compete with global brands, foreign markets. Again, as a result of our R&D studies, designed and manufactured by our company for military use, with high ballistic and mine protection, “Mine Resistant Rescuer” will be included in the Turkish Armed Forces inventory for the first time this year. Our goal is to realize the export of this product in the following stages. Besides, we also manufacture missile handling and charging cranes in the military field. Our R&D and innovation studies are continuing to develop our product range and to produce more functional and high performance products.
SAVTÜRK: With the advances in the Defense Industry in recent years, need for qualified labor force and human resources have emerged simultaneously in the sector. As MPG A.Ş., how did you manage this process?
Veysel SOYLU: Today, human resources are one of the most important areas for investment. In this process, we continue our in-house trainings in order to increase the performance of our employees and train more specialized staff. In addition to occupational health and safety, environment and waste management trainings for our employees, professional development trainings that are necessary in terms of their expertise areas are also provided periodically. Besides, we are working closely with the universities in Konya. We provide internship opportunities for students studying in related departments.
We encourage our colleagues who work in our R&D center and studies master’s degree/doctorate to choose an existing problem in our company and find a solution to this problem in their thesis.
SAVTÜRK: Could you tell us briefly about the export market of MPG A.Ş.?
Veysel SOULU: As a leading company domestically, we also offer our products to abroad markets. On folding boom crane, Northern Europe, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East are among our current markets. Our project-based activities for export markets continue. In India, all the trees on the coal mines were cut down until recently (Approximately 3 million trees per year). As a result of the strategic cooperation we have developed in India, we protect the green thanks to our eco-friendly tree lifter and transplanter and ensure that the trees are inherited for future generations.Within the framework of the negotiations and the goodwill agreement we have signed, we aim to export a large number of tree transplanters to India in the next 3 years.
SAVTÜRK: Can we take your evaluations about the developments in the defense industry in Konya in recent years?
Veysel SOYLU: It is not a choice but a necessity to produce the national and domestic defense industry which is needed due to the geopolitical position of our country. Defense industry is a vital sector for our country and it is an important sector where it is necessary to avoid being dependent on foreign sources and it has strategic importance unlike other sectors. Important studies are being carried out in the field of localization and development of defense industry in Konya and Konya contributes to will with its rapidly developing, dynamic manufacturing industry structure and product range. We believe that Aselsan's factory established in Konya, which will produce remote-controlled weapon systems, will also create an eco-system in the defense industry.
SAVTÜRK: Finally, is there a topic or message you want to add?
Veysel SOYLU: We will continue to produce high value-added, strategic and technological products for the upcoming periods. As MPG A.Ş., we are proud to be a part of the “localization and nationalization” movement of our country.
