Masdaf General Manager Vahdettin YIRTMAÇ:“For Masdaf, Internal Market and Foreign Market Separation has been Eliminated”

We spoke about Masdaf’s 2020 targets, the importance of pump technologies in industrial applications, efficiency and sustainability concepts, Mas Academy and export activities with Masdaf General Manager Vahdettin Yırtmaç.

 How would you describe the sector and your company in a period in which we have recently entered to a new year?

 According to the data of TÜİK (Turkey Statistical Institute), we understand that the number of building units received new construction permits in Turkey has decreased by over 50% compared to the previous year in terms of numbers and area. This tells us how much the sector has been contracted in domestic markets. We are starting 2020 in a positive atmosphere with developments such as balancing in currency rates and inflation, interest cuts as well as 1.2 million requests for 100.000 social housing projects announced by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation. I believe that 2020 will be easier than 2019 for the sector. These developments are giving hope to Masdaf and our sector.

 As Masdaf, we develop our pump technologies in order to become competitive and sustainable in compliance with Industry 4.0, which is the new era of the industry. Digitalisation is inevitable for global competition. We produce the pump technologies we have developed with both high quality and we optimise the costs. Thanks to these studies, we are providing sustainable collaborations in almost 65 countries in which we export. Based on providing a sustainable collaboration with our Customers, our studies in terms of marketing are as important as the innovative products we have developed. As a result of all these studies, we aim to take Masdaf brand “forward” every year.

 Can you give us information on your products and solutions used in industrial applications?

 We are a pump company with one of the widest range of products in terms of industrial applications. We can name our products used in industrial applications as; end-suction pumps, double-suction pumps, staged pumps,column pumps, waste water submersible pumps, fire pumps, complete stainless vertical shaft pumps.

 According to the characteristics of the liquid transferred in industrial applications, we can offer a system-specific solution by changing the pump design and material properties. Additionally, in the event the liquid is combustible and inflammable, we can produce atex certified pumps as well. Our heavy duty ISO 2858 type end-suction centrifugal pumps have important usage areas in domestic and international market. Additionally, we are able to produce our multi-stage pumps divisible from axis in accordance with the needs of the customers. Pumps allow important industrial applications with both engine preference and its driver by being equipped with coupler and sealing systems. Actually, the “tailor-made” production refers to these.

 What are the industrial sectors which you primarily address?

 We have a product range which addresses the entire industrial sectors. The intensity of the industrial sectors which we address vary according to the status of the investment. However, lately we focus on Energy, Textile, Petrol and Metal Industry in which investment never stops.

I can say that the petroleum sector is one of the sectors which we make important collaborations for a long time. We supply pumps to a lot of petroleum companies both in Turkey and abroad. We provide service to a lot of terminals, refineries, ports and storage facilities with our pumps. Power plants, iron and steel plants, aluminium factories, glass furnaces, chemistry and petrochemical, cement, leather, textile etc. are among the sectors we work with. We supply pumps to pulp and paper plants to a certain intensity limit.

 There are increases in extreme weather events due to climate change and this is a factor that increases the importance of infrastructure applications. Can we get information on your infrastructure solutions?

 The water problems arising due to drought is increasing. Due to this decrease in groundwater sources, underground water resources should be evaluated to meet both agricultural irrigation and drinking water needs. Becoming aware of the increasing need, we have added “deep well pumps” to the product range in 2019. Our investments on this area will continue increasingly. Unfortunately, we started to encounter flood disasters due to climate change more frequently. We are producing emergency pumps for a long time. We produce “UKMS series and ENDURO PRO” series products with high solid particle permeability and self-absorption capability with trailer diesel and cabin. Our “ENDURO series submersible pumps” used for domestic and industrial waste water and rainwater transfer are also among our products that we are assertive.

 What are the factors that must be considered in the selection of fire pumps? Can you give us information on the fire product group and solutions?

 Fire pumps that are used to pressurise the watered fire extinguishing systems in buildings and industry facilities and which possess great importance in fire intervention are specially designed since they are devices with high importance level. In terms of pump material characteristics; Body: GG25, Impeller: CuSn10 (Bronze), Shaft: AISI316, Packing gland: Must be soft. Additionally, it should provide the 65% of the rated pressure at 150% rated flow. Covered valve pressure value should not exceed 140% of the rated pressure value.

The most important aspect in fire pumps is that there must be a different control panel for each pump. Unfortunately, due to the initial investment cost, we can see that off-standard products are being used in the field. In the selection of the fire pump, the aspects specified in our fire regulation must be taken into consideration. Regarding the elimination of deficiencies, the international standards such as NFPA and UL-FM can be taken as reference. When making a brand preference, it must be checked whether these fire pumps are certified by these certification bodies.

 One of the most important subjects in pump systems is efficiency; what do efficiency and sustainability mean to Masdaf?

 20% of the total electric power in the world and approximately 30% of the industrial electric power is consumed by pumps. With a “correctly designed pump”, it is possible for enterprises to save a significant amount of energy in a short period and the system is able pay for itself in a short time. In this context, in order to raise the awareness on renovation, “real consumption measurements” are made in industrial facilities. In the event the system is renewed, we are issuing a report on the energy saving the establishment will make and the depreciation periods. Thus, by raising the enterprises’ awareness, we ensure that they switch to more efficient products. With the projects we have implemented as Masdaf, we do our part for the efficient use of energy, which has an important share inTurkey's imports, and we will continue to do so. Because, in order to leave a better world for our children, we must produce environmentally-friendly and efficient products.

 You are providing an important contribution for raising the awareness of the sector with MAS Academy. Can we get information on your activities on this area?

 As Masdaf, raising the awareness of our own employees and industry stakeholders are among the most important subjects. Mas Academy has been established for this purpose.  Within the scope of MAS Academy, we are providing 30 different trainings on “pump production, pump selection, pump maintenance and installation”. The trainings provided by the expert engineers of Masdaf are prepared with the contribution of Mas Academy Honorary President, Mr. Prof. Dr. Mete ŞEN, who is our consultant.

 Granting certificates for more than 1000 persons since its establishment in 2017, we plan that Mas Academy will provide training to approximately 400 people in 9 provinces in 2020. Additionally, we will continue to organise trainings at the headquarters of institutions and companies, based on demand.

 In addition to our trainings on pump production, maintenance and installation, in the trainings we organise regarding our business partners, we describe the correct selection of the systems they prefer in buildings and industrial facilities and the importance of choosing the right system in terms of energy efficiency.

 Masdaf Products are being used in many countries throughout the world. Can we get information on your export activities?

 Taking important steps in terms of globalisation, we can say that internal market and foreign market separation has been eliminated for Masdaf. We are completing important projects by establishing the sales and service network we established in the domestic market in the countries where we currently export with our world-class production approach. We aim to become a global pump brand which is recognised worldwide. In this context, we have accelerated our branding activities in addition to our activities on digitalisation. Within the direction of the changing world dynamics, we have renewed our logo to become more dynamic at the final quarter of 2020.

I can say that Masdaf is starting to benefit from the steps taken in terms of globalisation. Regarding our strategies to diversify our foreign markets, our exports grew steadily. Currently, we are exporting to 65 countries. Our exports have increased by 34% in 2019 compared to the previous year. The share of exports to turnover has reached 40% level. We are planning to increase this level to 50% within three years. Our activities regarding export are supported by the government. As a 100% domestic pump brand, we became the first company to receive a Turquality certificate. We include new ones among the countries we export to every year and we make strong distributorship agreements in these countries. Within the scope of our activities for the improvement of exports, we will be participating in specialist exhibitions to be held in target markets in 2020.