46
Face2Face with
Mustafa Tecdelioğlu
Mustafa Tecdelioğlu is chairman of Cetin Civata, one of Turkey’s leading fastener producers. Here,
though, the conversation focuses on his five-year role as president of BESIAD – the Turkish Fastener
Association.
Mustafa Tecdelioğlu has a typically warm Turkish welcome for
his guests, a ready smile that does not entirely disguise a steely
determination, a core attribute for an influential figure in the country’s
fastener industry.
“The industry met initially in 2001 to discuss the problem of Chinese
imports,” explains Mustafa. “Import prices were seriously impacting
domestic fastener producers.” A second meeting formally established
BESIAD, which now has some 80 members representing, Mustafa
estimates, 60-70% of Turkish production. He became president in 2003,
and is soon due for re-election. He shrugs his shoulders, protesting he
would like to step down but that no one yet offers to take his place.
One obvious reason for that reticence is the record of achievement in
his five years of office.
“I was able to get the Government to apply the anti-dumping
measures that now help to protect our industry,” says Mustafa, “by
means of the very strong connections I have through my family and to match its own investment in the development of a technical CD. “We
other close contacts.” The measure doubles duty and VAT on fastener will produce 10,000 copies,” Mustafa explains proudly, “which will go
imports valued at less than US$2,500 a tonne for higher than 8.8 quality to schools and universities, to industry chambers and to the industrial
and US$2,000 a tonne for 8.8 quality and lower. It has not stopped zones. Two magazines are also interested in distributing copies.”
Chinese imports, which still grow, but it has successfully defended the Meanwhile the association makes regular presentations to
production of higher grade fasteners and parts. universities and other educational institutions as well as to company
The manner of this achievement appears characteristic. The management in key user markets. “It is really important to get them to
association works with a small budget but very effectively exploits the recognise the technical issues involved in fasteners and the quality of
political and business connections of its leadership together with the engineering required.”
quality of technical knowledge within its ranks. Regular meetings with Other initiatives have provided members with insights into latest
the Government and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, of which technologies. Two years ago a large delegation visited the SACMA plant
Mustafa Tecdelioğlu is also an influential member, maintains the focus in Limbiate. Other visits included Dacral, steel producers and a number
on its interests. BESIAD also meets with other associations and holds of fairs. BESIAD successfully convinced Turkish steel companies to
technical meetings for its own membership. produce higher grade cold head quality wire. “We can now obtain wire
Enhancing technical knowledge within the members, but also across for 8.8 and 10.9 grade fasteners and they have begun to export the
its key markets and in academic institutions, is high on the agenda. This product.”
year BESIAD started a technical course for high school students. “The BESIAD is also the driving force behind the annual Turkish Technical
association has donated a cold header and a threadroller, as well as Hardware Exhibition, held last year in June and this year scheduled for
helping to set up a laboratory and computer training. There will be 50 October. Mustafa acknowledges there is an uneasy balance to be struck
students for 2010, each will go to school for two days and work in the between domestic and foreign exhibitors, particularly from China, but
fastener industry for three.” Mustafa sees it as a core investment for the says, “this is the nature of globalisation”.
future of the Turkish fastener industry. “It takes several years to train The latest concern follows on from Turkey’s signature of the Kyoto
the quality of operators we require. The school will also help improve agreement. “This will mean tighter environmental controls but the
skills in the existing workforce by providing weekend courses.” Special resources do not currently exist to support our members properly. We
exemptions are provided to encourage children of existing fastener are now pressing for proper oil recycling facilities to be set up in Istanbul
workers to participate. – currently there is only one facility, which requires a 300km trip.”
“So far we have prepared over 500 pages of technical study “Turkey offers big advantages,” concludes Mustafa. “You have seen
documents – when we have finished it will be over 1,000, covering all the quality of our fastener production. Distribution into Europe is very
the fastener manufacturing process from wire preparation to coating efficient, maximum seven days by truck. It is simple to ship part loads,
technologies.” BESIAD aims to disseminate that technical knowledge to buyers do not have to think about full truck loads, and of course there is
a wide audience, having obtained 10,000 euros in Government support no customs duty from Turkey into the EU.”
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