Mr. Murat Doğan, General Manager of Colorex Konsantre Boya ve Plastik Sanayii: Our target, as COLOREX Company, is to evaluate the investment we have started to make in our sector in 2016 with our esteemed statesmen in a planned and programmed way and make our company a leader in both Turkey and Europe in 2023.

“Of course, experience is a concept which is too valuable and therefore cannot be bought with money. Competitors and seniors who are more experienced in the sector will always have more advantage than young people considering their experience but we must also note that COLOREX will also spend all of its energy, knowledge and experience continuously in this sector” said Mr. Murat Doğan and shared the formation and development processes of COLOREX with us.
First and foremost we would like to hear about your background. Could you please tell us about yourself?
I was born in 1978 in Elazığ province as the only male child of a family with 4 children. I completed my primary, secondary and high school education in Malatya province. After graduating from high school I worked in the construction sector in Istanbul, Russia and Netherlands. I was working in Istanbul until the crisis occurred in 2000. 2000 financial crisis which affected the life of numerous people in Turkey also became a turning point of my life. I have been living since 17 years in Bursa province where I went for a visit of ten days. I am the father of two boys named Onur Erk and Yiğit Han.
Would you tell us how and why you started your business life as a young man?
I noticed in the construction business that everyone does not provide high quality job or high quality workmanship On the other hand, I also saw that people will not bargain with you if you provide them with quality product or workmanship while they do not also search other people. Many people in Turkey think that they should cooperate with a high quality company and receive good work so that they can spend their time for other tasks. I applied this knowledge, skills and experience which I acquired in the construction sector to masterbatch sector. I am observing the positive outcomes of this approach with pleasure now.
Would you summarize the history of the establishment you founded or took over?
Our company, established as a private company named Murat Doğan on 05.11.2006, started to operate in our home office in the construction sector. We decided to enter the Masterbatch Sector in 2007 being aware of the supply and demand in the masterbatch sector in Turkey. I and my wife Ms. Sedef decided to leave the construction industry in 2009 which we had started so subsequently we left our business in the construction sector. We are honored and proud to state that we became successful in our business in the masterbatch sector which we started in a small manufacturing workshop in Kohukçınar district and moved to our new production plant in one of Turkey’s first organized industrial regions where we currently carry out our business.
As a young person, is there a different point of view which you contributed to the sector compared to your bigger opponents who are active in the same sector?
I can say as a difference which we contributed to the sector that we had a very sudden entry to the sector as a young person and in a brave way. Of course, there were advantages and disadvantages of this attempt, but then we had meetings with several company owners and we were acquainted with each other in fairs and I think that I have made contributions to the sector my sharing my perspective with them while we sat and chat each other in such meetings and fairs.
Again, Would you tell what your advantages and disadvantages in business life are compared to your elder competitors?
Of course, experience is a concept which is too valuable and therefore cannot be bought with money. Elders and seniors who are more experienced in the sector will always have more advantage than young people considering their experience but we must also note that COLOREX will also spend all of its energy, knowledge and experience continuously in this sector.
Do you think that the solidarity and togetherness of young people in business life is sufficient? What do you think about the frequency of their establishing business clusters and coming together under NGOs?
I think in particular that young people in business life are far from showing solidarity and unity. I have a little complaint here and that is if our valuable elders open the way of young people in the sector and on the basis of companies and support them continuously and give them a chance, we will see that the success achieved in the past will be achieved more and the quality will also be much better.
Now you are the first generation, what are your thoughts on the second generation to whom you will hand over your company? Do they own the capacity which is necessary to replace you?
On the one hand, we have the honor and pride of being the first generation and on the other hand, we sincerely believe and trust that the second generation will be better than us. This is because we are raising them by showing and explaining them all the aspects of trade one by one from childhood.
Is the business you are doing and the sector you are in, the business and sector of your dreams?
Of course we are proud of the business we are doing. After all, we have a colorful life. How would life look like if there were no colors…
In which sector are you mainly operating?
It is not possible to make production in Bursa province which is one of the most beautiful cities of Turkey and stay away from the automotive sector. Our priority areas of activity comprise all sectors including plastics, automotive, injection, cable and packaging sectors.
What are your targets as a company in the coming period? Are you planning to make new investments?
Our company’s target for the coming years is to remove the dependency of our continually growing country on masterbatch concentrate paint and plastic additives in our existing company in Bursa province as COLOREX and become the main supplier of Europe.
How should a business man’s portfolio be according to you? How should a businessman create his personal total value?
As a member of the Cesur Yürekli Gençler (Brave Hearted Youths), I must say that I am honored to be within establishments such as GESİAD, BURPAS, PLASFED and CEYGENÇ and entrepreneurs which are adopted and which will be adopted by the society and I will do my best to have my friends in such establishments each and every day.
What are your views on Turkey’s 2023 vision as a tradesman, ? In which position do you plan to see your company in 2017 and 2023?
Our target, as COLOREX Company, is to evaluate the investment we have started to make in our sector in 2016 our esteemed statesmen in a planned and programmed way and make our company a leader in both Turkey and Europe in 2023.
How can the competitiveness of Turkish businessmen be increased in the world according to you?
Turkish businessmen should can easily compete as a global firm with other firms if they bring QUALITY into the fore front in addition to their honesty, truthfulness, knowledge and accumulation which is already known in the world in addition to adopting an entrepreneurial spirit.
What do you expect from the government as a businessman and an industrialist?
One of my prior expectations from our government and our state, as a young entrepreneur, is to detect and remove all the fake companies and companies established to swindle people.
How will the economy of Bursa be in 2023 according to you?
Bursa is rapidly progressing becoming the second biggest city in Turkey after Istanbul until 2023 with its ongoing sea, airline, highway and high speed train projects continuing with a great speed.
Finally, what would you like to add?
I would like to thank you very much for your interest and support.
Best regards…