Untel Kablo Industry and Trade Incorporation Export Manager Gökhan Ereli: As Untel Kablo, we chose the target for growth in 3 markets for 2019

We will have significant breakthroughs in exports for 2019 and also in the upcoming years. Our primary goal is to further strengthen our position in the markets we are involved, to increase our brand awareness, to continue our certification efforts without slowing down and to focus more on the markets where we are not active. These markets are Africa, South America and Far East. In 2019 and after the year 2019, we have chosen our main target to grow in these 3 markets. Mr. Gokhan, who said that we have accelerated our market and product research in these regions, answered our questions for our readers.

Can you tell us about Untel Kablo and what is the stage of it?

Untel Kablo is a company that has been taking firm steps with its experience for 47 years. It is a firm company that always have strong relationships with its customers and markets it serves. It opponent has always been its own. It continues its investments by continuously aiming to be better and more successful. It is a company that differentiates itself with its value and vision. In exports it raises the bar to higher every year. We plan our new investments with this aim and target and continue our growth trend. We have serious investments in branding and we are a well-known and sought-after brand in the sectors it serves. In some of the foreign markets, maybe we are not at the level we want now, but in the coming years, we will be a more preferred company in the markets where we are not fully recognized. Untel Kablo has come a long way towards a big family and institutionalization. We continue to grow without losing its flexibility, without forgetting that we are a family with both our employees and our customers.

What would you like to tell us about Untel Kablo’s products as a manufacturer of rubber and special cables?

Aiming at niche markets since its establishment, Üntel has diversified its product and market structure from this perspective. In terms of the sectors we serve, your product quality should be at the highest level. In addition, pre- and post-sales technical support is also very important. With our years of experience, we continuously develop and diversify our products with our R & D department by following the trends, new materials and customer expectations in the market. We produce a wide range of cables for shipbuilding, oil drilling platforms, mines, airports, cranes and industrial applications. We have over 200 international certificates of our products. We are one of the leading companies in the sector in terms of quality system management. We sell more than 70 countries around the world with rubber, polyurethane, PVC based products and we continue to discover new markets every year. We sell our products to the leading companies of the sectors we serve and our products have been used safely for years. While growing without compromising from our quality and service, we continue to work to how we find the better. We are working hard to represent our sector and our country in the best way in foreign markets.

We have left 2018 behind, could you tell us about your opinion about last year? How was the last year for cable industry?

After the exchange rate fluctuation in 2018, we have turned our route to export more rapidly with the stagnation experienced in many other sectors especially in the construction sector and throughout the country. When we say the most important use of cables in Turkey, construction, infrastructure and government investments come to minds. Unfortunately, 2018 was not a good year for domestic markets, with the contraction in these areas. The ongoing civil war in the south, the Brexit uncertainty in the UK, anti-dumping case in Israel and the consequences of these situations unfortunately negatively affect the cable export. The firms with strong financial structure and export opportunities to many markets like us have focused on sales that will diversify their market structures to further levels. We are one of the companies with the best results. Turkey has a dynamic structure of the cable industry. Of course, there are outages and companies that cannot overcome these troubled times, but in general, our country’s cable sector will continue to grow and to continue to do good job. In achieving this, it is important that our government fully implements its mandate to prevent unfair competition and support. We will continue to run as exporters.

As Untel Kablo you have been on the high places in TET Export Honor List, what do you want to say? Have you realized your export goals?

Untel has a long-standing export history and this is one of the most important driving forces of our company. We export to more than 70 countries in 6 continents and we have many long-standing relationships in our markets. We act with the concept of being a brand in every sector and every country we enter.

We will have significant breakthroughs in exports for 2019 and also in the upcoming years. Our primary goal is to further strengthen our position in the markets we are involved, to increase our brand awareness, to continue our certification efforts without slowing down and to focus more on the markets where we are not active. These markets are Africa, South America and Far East.

In 2019 and after the year 2019, we have chosen our main target to grow in these 3 markets. We have accelerated our market and product research in these regions. After examining many factors such as demanded products and documents, distribution, sales channels, market sizes, customs regulations of these countries, our competitors, and then we determine the most suitable product and market target for us, we realize our marketing and sales activities quickly. With this approach, 2018 was a good year for Untel. We have achieved a growth above our targets. In 2019, we will continue our journey without stopping. We have all the necessary equipment to achieve this. A modern production site, a strong and well-known team, and most importantly, behind them are a strong management team who knows what they are doing.

What are your goals, expectations and predictions for 2019?

Both the election atmosphere in our country and also the uncertainty in the exchange rate the market together with the negative weather in the domestic market the desired acceleration in the domestic market did not occurred. In this respect, it is very important what kind of atmosphere will be formed after local elections. As Untel family, we planned our growth targets firstly on export. It can’t be said that things are going well in the world. In addition to the regional distress, the wars of trade, which are increasing in the world, increase the uncertainty and uneasiness. However, world is very big, companies that do their job correctly, analyze the environment correctly, maintain their strong position and shape their breakthroughs will be stronger in this environment. If we move towards with the awareness that cable sector is important and strong in Turkey instead of producing excuses and to complaining our way will be always open.

Can you tell us about the competition in the international market?

We live in a global world order. Getting information is very easy and the important thing is how you use it. Competition is much more and ruthless than before.. There is no concept of regional players, everyone is everywhere. Each firm should determine its position accordingly. Your opponents are too many and they are waiting for you to make mistakes. Therefore, your product and service quality should be at the forefront. The price itself is now the market itself.

Companies who know their jobs well, work principally and customer-oriented, constantly improve themselves with their investments, companies that analyze the markets well can survive, old companies do not have a chance to live healthy. Competitors do not stop, new ones are added, and those who cannot renew themselves disappear. Unfortunately, we are experiencing unfair competition too. The price-oriented approach and the compromise of quality, the negative environment created by these markets affect all of us. More effective rules and control mechanisms are needed to combat this. China is now a bigger threat each year. In particular, the trade war between the United States and major export market of Turkey with cable declining growth rates that we see more Chinese products in Europe.

Finally, is there anything you want to add?

As I said, Turkey is a big important power cable industry. Every year continues to grow. The diversification of export channels and markets will continue to grow with state support and correct sales policies. We need to take faster and more serious steps towards being a brand-producing company. It should be noted that we are exporters and we are all representatives at the same time. It is one of our most important duties to represent cable sector of Turkey in the sector and is our duty for both sector and country.