MDA Technologies 3/2016

In conversation with Adnan Dalgakiran,
President of Turkish Machinery, Ankara,
Turkey
Mr. Adnan Dalgakıran, Turkey, as an export-oriented country,
represents the 17 th largest economy in the world and the sixth
largest economy among the European countries. Do you think
that the current political developments could jeopardize its
position?
The effects of current political developments on the global positions
of national economies are not observed in a short period.
Furthermore, it appears that Turkey will benefit from recent
developments because we can say that the Turkish economy will
grow faster as a result of the consolidation of democratic institutions
and importance attached to merits.
In addition, as the representatives of the machinery industry, which
have a key position within the Turkish economy, we believe that we
are not satisfied with our current ranking in the world and that
Turkey should be among the top 10 economy of the world because
of its potential and dynamics. We have both industry-specific and
general roadmaps for that purpose. Our targets fully coincide with the
appeal for a stronger democracy in the wake of latest developments.
Developments in the machine industry have made significant
contributions to the growth of the national economy particularly
in the past decade. In your opinion, what are the pillars of that
accomplishment from the standpoint of your industry?
It is known that the Turkish economy is pursuing an exportcentered
growth strategy. You have to produce in order to export.
The machine industry’s development and growth has originated
from this need. Largely dependent on imports, our industry started
diminishing this dependence thanks to its high performance
from one year to the next and consequently made a greater contribution
to the growth of the national economy.
Main factors behind our successful performance in this industry
in the past couple of years are; importance attached to quality,
entrepreneurship, and our flexible structure. Our responsiveness
to demand and logistical capabilities ensured our current success.
We are, however, not at the desired point in our industry yet. We
need to find solutions warranted by the age of industrialization by
training our employees more efficiently. Thus, our industry is
facing some major issues such as digitalization, automation, and
the requirements of Industry 4.0.
We know that you, as the representatives of the machine
industry, attach importance to technological cooperation in
Turkish-German relations. We hear that your government
plans to recall scientists from Germany. Would such a move
put bilateral scientific relations at risk?
Germany is a benchmark country from the standpoint of the
machine industry and it is, therefore, of strategic importance to us.
We have reached an important point in our trade with that country
Adnan Dalgakiran, Präsident, Turkish Machinery, Ankara Turkey
as compared with the past, but we have a potential greater than
that reflected in trade.
We are intensifying our efforts to enhance our technological cooperation
with Germany in particular. Recalling the employees of our
industry or these kind of cases are out of the question. Our ongoing
efforts will continue without any interruption. Our partners
have sent us messages reflecting their desire to continue. Thus,
reports appearing in the media outlets of other countries should
be taken with a pinch of salt. We are also endeavoring to enlighten
those who have questions about different issues and to help them.
We know that the Machinery Exporters’ Association of Turkey
have appealed for joint investments in third countries as an ideal
area where Turkey and Germany can cooperate. What would you
like to say about the potential benefits of such cooperation for
companies and what kind of a role they need to play?
In fact, the model that we have developed and offered for cooperation
between Turkish and German machinery industries is
actually a model that we can also share with companies in other
countries. This model aims at expanding global and modular
areas of cooperation in global markets while making an optimum
use of resources and business opportunities.
Export quota of Turkish machines for
the international market equates to 80 %.
Agricultural machinery in Germany, for example, are suitable for
large areas with a high automation capability. They can cooperate
with our agricultural machinery manufacturers who still have not
got into automation and produces for small lands. The supply
network in all industries, including casting, chromium plating,
and processing of sheet steel represents a network which is most
suited to cooperation. Turkey has always maintained commercial
ties with her close neighbors. Germany may benefit from our
experience and skills regarding marketing.
Mr. Dalgakiran, thank you for this conversation..
The interview was conducted by Nicole Steinicke, Editor, Automation
Technologies, Vereinigte Fachverlage, Mainz, Germany
Photographs: teaser fotolia, other Turkish Machinery
www.makinetanitimgrubu.com
MDA Technologies 3/2016