Anasayfa - AGTWORLD · 2016. 11. 25. · This is a corporate publication of AGT. It is free. Eylül 2014 - Sayı 1 AGTWORLD “We have put down our roots in this soil, our shadow

This is a corporate publication of AGT. It is free.

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AGTWORLD “We have put down our roots in this soil,

our shadow embraces the world.”

Production has started in theMDF factory!

Turkey’s largest MDF factory with an annual production of 500,000 m3 has been brought to life in a record breaking 13 months. p 12

AGT, the world leader in quality and trend-setting.

The organizational details and dynamics of AGT, a company that exports to over 60 countries. p 07

“We never dreamed about retiring.”

We talked about the dynamics of AGT from past to present with Mustafa Söylemez and Mehmet Söylemez.p 08

Ahmet Söylemez

“We have put down our

roots in this soil,

Our shadow embraces the

world.”

universe of wooden ideas

History has been a witness to many great walks. From those made in the name of religion to the search of new homes, from seeking rights to looking for sources of water, people have been walking throughout history for a variety of different reasons. Some of these walks have only been instrumental in changing the fates of the walkers whereas some have succeeded in changing the fate of large gro-ups of people. History has taught us that such great walks are difficult, require patience and a strong will. This is why only a “small portion” of these walkers have been able to reach their goal.

Producing at the present is similar to a “great walk”. The “great competition” in the shrinking world and the “inabi-lity of the people doing the walking to adapt to changes over time” are some of the large obstacles looming before production.

Competition is an element that both opens new paths and builds new walls in front of those that produce on a daily basis. This will continue until you set the rules of the game.

On the other hand, each company is an organism and changes every day. In fact, change is inevitable. As the scale grows and the conditions change both the manage-ment organisms and the “minds” within that structure have to change.This is a tragic reality….

Moving Forward to Produce

Either new conditions have to be adapted to or “minds that can adapt to new situations” must be added. All of the companies that resist this fact meet a “sad end”…The-refore it is critical to see production as a “great walk”; “to take place in the walk and look at the whole from the outside” and most importantly understand the “spirit of time” correctly. The management systems of today require the building of a structures that constantly improves itself, audits itself and is open to interaction and rather than creating a star from the team, making the team itself a star. In the helicop-ter scene of great director Francis Ford Coppola’s famo-us cult film “Apocalypse”, Wagner’s “Ride of Valkyries is played and the unit commander says “It will be good for the kids”… The company managers must find what will “be good” for their colleagues and practice this while their colleagues must comprehend the “spirit of time” correctly. When the-se take place the “walk” will be great and it will continue with the people it started out with.

Concessionaire AGT Ağaç Sanayi ve Tic. A.Ş. Chief Editor Ali Göktaş Publication Coordinator Bahri Keçeli Editorial Board Burcu Kantarcıoğlu, Berna Yıldız, Nergiz Özcan, Harun Karadon Photography Burak Görpe Administration Office Organize Sanayi Bölgesi Akdeniz Bulvarı, Antalya Tel +90 242 249 17 17 Faks +90 242 249 17 27 İstanbul Bölge Tekstilkent Koza Plaza B Blok Kat:9 No:34-35 Esenler, İstanbul Tel +90 212 670 42 50 (3 Hat) Faks +90 212 670 42 53 Content Cube Medya Yayıncılık Tanıtım Organizasyon Hizmetleri Tic. Ltd. Şti. Dumankaya İkon A2/85, Örnek Mh. Ercüment Batanay Sk. No: 14 Ataşehir, İstanbul Tel +90 216 315 25 00 Design HÄUS İletişim Hizmetleri Ltd. Şti. İstiklal Cad. Suriye Pasajı 166/61-62 Kat:4 Beyoğlu, İstanbul Tel +90 212 243 44 38 Printing Bilnet Matbaacılık Biltur Basım Yay. ve Hiz. A.Ş. Dudullu Organize Sanayi Bölgesi 1. Cd. No: 16 Esenkent, Ümraniye 34476 İstanbul Tel 444 44 03

2 Month Periodical Publication

AGTWORLD

AGTWORLD September 2014

Mehmet Semih Söylemez

AGT Board of Directors Member

AGT Board of Directors Member Mehmet Semih Söylemez

AGTWORLD04 September 2014

AGT hosted all of its active dealers in Russia. The dealer authorities took a tour of the newly opened MDF factory in the Organized In-dustry Zone of Antalya. The participants who toured AGT’s showroom with a delegation of 25 people said that they liked the new pro-ducts and colors.

AGT continues to provide training to its emplo-yees in a number of different fields. The “Mot-her-Father Training” sessions, which aim to improve the relationships between employees and their families and children, have started. Setting out with the motto that “e invite ever-yone who is trying to understand the nature of people and their motivation, not just mothers and fathers” under the leadership of Özgür Bolat, AGT will continue to provide similar training.

AGT hosted its Russian dealers in Antalya

AGT wins the biggest in-vestment award from AOSB

Mother-Father Training Has Started at AGT

Taking its place in the Building Fair, the 37th of which was organized this year, AGT presented itself to guests with the slogan “unique designs with AGT products”. In the fair, which was visi-ted by hundreds of national and international participants, AGT presented solutions for the ne-eds of the construction and building sector with complete AGT production Panels, Non-Scratch Acrylics, High Gloss and Lacquer products. The hotel room concept and elevator hall decoration using AGT doors were especially popular.

As one of the world’s largest wood furniture component producers, AGT made its impres-sive appearance at the ZOW fair with new trend setting products for the wood and fur-niture sectors. AGT’s new non-scratch acrylic panel, composite counter, door models and new panels in the new 2014 colors were the center of attention. The new country style in-terior door model was presented for the first time at the ZOW Fair.

AGT was the largest participant in its sector from Turkey at the 11th International Furniture and Sub Industry Fair “Interzum Guangzhou” which was organized in the city of Guang-zhou, China on March 28 – April 1, 2014. The AGT stand, which was also visited by Gu-angzhou Trade Attaché Hasan Köse, caught the attention of visitors from many different countries with its doors, composite counters and deck products.

AGT at the Building Fair!

AGT impressed visitors at the ZOW Fair

AGT at the Interzum GUANGZHOU Fair!

Fairs

Region Human Resources

AGT participated in the Big 5 Dubai Fair, or-ganized under the slogan Know-Grow-Build in Dubai and known as one of the most prestigi-ous fairs in the world, and impressed visitors with new generation designs and trendy color and design applications. After participating in this fair for the first time, AGT is working non-stop to prepare for this year’s organization planned for November 17-20.

This year AGT participated in the Medex International Furniture Sub Industry, Accessories and Woodworking Machines Fair, which was organized for the 12th time. As the participant with the largest stand in the fair, AGT won the “Best Foreign Producer Company Award”. The greatest reward for AGT was the over 4 thousand visitors that stopped by the AGT stand throughout the fair. During the dinner organized specially by Iran dealer Parsian Choob’s owner Ali Rasoulza-de on the first day of the fair, AGT authorities met up with the largest furniture producers in the country, furniture retailers and Iranian Furniture Producers and Exporters Association members. In the speech made by Association Chairman Hassan Ahmadian he said that AGT was an idol for them and that AGT had shed light on new designs trends for them in the market. Ahmadian, one of the country’s leading furniture producers, also added that they were inspired by AGT’s modern colors in furniture production.

AGT participated in the Big 5 Dubai Fair

AGT returned from the MEDEX Fair in Iran with an award

A Sectoral Visit to AGT by Iran

Under the leadership of Parsian Choob, one of AGT’s dealers in Iran, the authorities of prominent furniture and furniture sub-industry companies visited AGT’s MDF fac-tory in Antalya.

The 20 person delega-tion, including Hassan Ahmadian, the Chairman of the Iranian Furniture Producers and Exporters Association and other members, toured AGT’s showroom where new colors and products were on display and estab-lished contacts with the AGT administrators.

Fairs

TechnologyRegion

On March 5, 2014, AGT successfully produ-ced its first MDF panel in Turkey’s most mo-dern and high performance MDF facility. This production line was built by Siempelkamp. This facility, in which high quality low cost bo-ards are produced at large capacities, is now added to the list of new facilities established by Siempelkamp in Turkey. This success was achieved through the use of a number of inno-vative features such as 8’x55.3m Generation 8 ContiRoll® press, the innovative adhesive mixing system Ecoresinator, a power facility, fiber dryer and board operation system.

Turkey’s most modern MDF Facility with CONTIROLL® GENERATION 8 technology

AGTWORLD 05September 2014

BURCU ZEMİNCengiz ÖzlüThe most important point with AGT is that the appearance of the product (Deck) is the closest to natural wood. This is because the content is 70% wood. In our sector time is as important as quality. We have always embraced this as our principle. AGT has contributed greatly to our confidence by providing products before they are even due.

GENYAMehmet UğutThe most important element in AGT is providing quality products.

GÜNEY MOBİLYAİbrahim GüneyWith its quality and wide range AGT provides products that are easy to sell. AGT has captured a whole new perspective by starting door production. By starting laminated parquet production the product portfolio will expand.

GENYACelal KöşşekThe AGT quality is another word for satisfaction for us.

MOD TASARIMErcan SicimAGT has a dynamic structure that we don’t see in other companies. We are able to get the “quality semi-finished product” concept with AGT.

ÖZKARAMETE AHŞAPAtilla ÖzkarameteAll of AGT’s products have always been one step ahead since we started working with them.

ATA TASARIMAhmet AtaAGT is able to do customized production with different profile options. We are able to get help in every subject in the wood field from AGT

BEYOĞLU MOBİLYAMustafa BeyoğluAGT is like a member of the family for everyone... We are able to sell their products easily without any problems.

AY MOBİLYAKamil AyWe can purchase and sell AGT products with a clear conscience. The products are always something we can sell with their trendiness and quality.

We Asked Our CustomersAbout AGT:

Dealer

Always improving with AGT…We spoke to AGT’s Iran Dealer Parsian Choob’s owner Ali ResuolzadeAbout AGT Products and the Wood Sector in Iran.

Dealer


“We are one of AGT’s largest dealers since 2010. Our most important customers are dist-ributors that sell furniture raw materials and semi finished products. We have also started partnerships with companies that produce home and office furniture in Iran so that we can expand the market. I think that this will help us spread AGT products all over Iran and the region.

As Parsian Choob, we have started working on opening an AGT showroom in a central area of Iran in line with our long term goals. We are planning to have the opening very soon. Also we will be moving the Parsian Choob headquarters to the “Kamraniye” region North of Tehran. We continue to seek innovative solutions, including alternative logistical channels, in order to provide better services to customers with our motto of “faster and better quality”. This is why we wish to present AGT parquet and Melamine Faced MDF products to our customers in 2015.

Ali Resoulzade and Hassan Ahmadian together.

Could you tell us about the state of AGT in the sector?AGT’s situation in the sector can be explained from two different pers-pectives. With a daily production capacity of 1,500 m3 in MDF and MDF group products we are Turkey’s third largest MDF producer. Our goal is to own 10 percent of the market in MDF and Melamine Faced MDF and 15-20 percent of the market in laminate parquet. From the wood furniture components sector aspect we continue to be the leader in the market.

How many countries do you export to as AGT?We export wood furniture components to 63 different countries. The portion of our export to surrounding countries, in which we are the leader, comprises about 50 percent of our total turnover.

The world’s agenda and export processes are constantly changing. The companies that export are the ones that are most affected by these changes. What are the challenges you face?Unfortunately the geography in which we live is not a stable one, there-fore there is always a setting of ups and downs. In such a setting prob-lems can emerge at any time but we are always up to the challenge.

Additionally some of the export done to other countries can be outsi-de the insurance coverage or only covered by low insurance. In such situations the burden we carry becomes a bit heavier. The transport of exported products is a whole different issue we have to consider. For example the rail system is not yet developed to the level we need. The

high prices in this area create a cost problem and this naturally reflects negatively on us.

Could you tell us about your strategies for the future in AGT’s export structuring?The foreign sale strategy of AGT has switched to “onsite management” rather than “centralized management”. Therefore you may see some restructuring in AGT in the near future.

Can you tell us about the AGT perception in the sector, par-ticularly by the end user?

In a survey we had done by an independent company and the results of which we were very pleased with, our customers defined their AGT perception in two words. The first was quality and the second was trend.

Of course the establishment of these concepts was the result of 30 ye-ars of effort. At the present AGT is a brand that is always followed and imitated in the wood furniture components sector. From the largest to the smallest, at every point where furniture is produced AGT products are used directly or indirectly. In some product groups, for example profiles, AGT is the first brand that comes to mind. In every product that we produce today, we see AGT at the highest level of quality.

I hope that we will continue these features in the new products groups that are in our future strategies for production in the years ahead.

AGT, the leader in quality and trendsIn the world…


AGT Executive Board Member and Sales and Marketing Director Ali Göktaş

Executive Board Member and Sales and Marketing Director Ali Göktaş of AGT, a company that exports to over 60 countries, shared the details and dynamics of this great organization.

“We never had any dreams about retiring.”

In our first edition we spoke to Mustafa and Mehmet Söylemez, the sons of Ahmet Söylemez who founded today’s industry giant

AGT 30 years ago, about the past to present dynamics of the company.


AGT Board of Directors MemberMehmet Semih Söylemez

AGT Board of Directors MemberMustafa Söylemez


Mr. Mustafa says “I have no dreams about retiring.” referring to his professional life which started at the age of 14 and adds “I come to AGT with pleasure every Monday morning.”

Could you tell us about AGT?AGT is a family business that was established in 1984. I have been involved in it almost from the very beginning. Of course we started out with a small number of people and small scale production. But we had big dreams. The AGT brand is a brand that was given back then. The meaning of AGT is “Advanced Technology in Wood Industry”, when in fact only wood industry was known back then. There was no concept of advancement or technology in relation to the wood industry back then. We were a company that had such goals from the beginning. Then we established our facility in the Organized Industry Zone.

Looking back at the past we can see that AGT made certain advancements at 10 year periods. We arrived at our present point with these advancements. To point out a few important milestones we can say that our most important step was moving to the Organized Industry Zone. Opening our branch and warehouses in Istanbul and starting our export business was an important turning point in our second 10 years. Another turning point for us is establishing our MDF factory at the end of our third 10 years. AGT is a family company. What are the advantages to this?When planned right and managed right being a family company is a big advantage when we take a look at other examples in the world. When you speak the same language, human resources are reliable. We had a very serious delegation of work until this year. Everyone took their part. Mr. Mehmet took care of production and I handled R&D and sales. Mr. Ahmet took care of finance and accounting. As of this year we have established our Executive Board and transferred over our duties. Now we operate and the Board of Directors and the Executive Board.

Mr. Mehmet started his words with John Wooden’s famous saying “The star of my team is my team.” Then he proceeded to share everything from the establishment to the present of AGT, social life and “Emotional Capital.”

Could you tell us about the founding of AGT? What are the turning points in the establishment to the present?The person who has the greatest part in founding AGT and bringing it to the present is my father Ahmet Sönmez, a graduate of the Ankara University Science Faculty Physics Department. With the experience he gained by working in a number of different sectors including aluminum and wood, he founded AGT with his two sons in Antalya in the year 1984. Choosing the location of Antalya at that time was a radical decision because in 1984 Antalya was only a small Anatolian town.

In 1988 we increased our production volume and expanded our product variety. In 1996, we moved to the factory we built on our own in the Organized Industry Zone with the increase in our production and sales volumes.

AGT’s growth continued when we started mass production in 2000 and exporting to neighbor countries in the following years. We also opened two offices in Istanbul, one on the Anatolian side and one on the European side in the same period.

With our Integrated MDF facility which we gained for our country as a heavy industrial investment in March of 2014, AGT made important progress on the road to becoming a facility by completing its institutionalization process to a great extend with the establishment of an Executive Board comprised of professionals to become a large family with “people” at its core.


AGT Board of Directors Member Mustafa Söylemez

“In addition to being a great father Mr. Ahmet is also an outstanding leader.”

What are the effects of Mr. Ahmet on your business and private life as your father?

Mr. Ahmet is first and foremost a good father. He is also a good “leader”. He was a leader to us from childhood as the person who was closest to us. While preparing us for life he also gave us responsibilities at work to help us mature and managed to do this in a very balanced way. He was able to do this because of his good leadership qualities and his vision.

So does that mean we can add visionary and actionist to his qualities?

Absolutely. He assigns responsibility in a very balanced manner in the operational department as well. Therefore he invests some serious trust. We share all of our successes and failures alike. The way we share them is not by accounting for them but by exchanging ideas.I believe that Mr. Ahmet had some impact on the delegation of duties. We started our professional life at AGT very early on in our childhood. Mr. Ahmet made very good observations about us concluding that my sales characteristics were stronger and channeling me towards sales and recognizing that Mr. Mehmet’s technical side was stronger and making sure that he was educated in technical fields and given responsibilities in this area. This is the same kind of skills management that is being practiced today.

Now AGT has a Board of Directors and an Executive Board. This is a big step towards institutionalization. Could you tell us about this process?

Of course this kind of project planning is necessary in growing structures. In the present business world people’s energy is limited. In order to adapt to the rules of a changing era we have to give responsibilities to the upcoming youth. As the Board of Directors we continue our main jobs in the background while we assign our Executive Board Members and only monitor the reports.

Is it true to say that at the end of this process it will become easier to hand AGT over to the third generation?

Let me start by saying this: Since both Mr. Mehmet and I started at a very early age we became industrialists in our youth and would like to work for many more years. We have not starting dreaming about retirement yet. You have to build the institutional structure for the future of the company. Our children are not required to work in the company but those that have the desire and the skill will work in the company.

Could you tell us a little about the future investment strategy of AGT?

Being an industrialist is not a kind of work that you can just step in and out of; once you start you devote your life to it. This is why the business has to grow, it’s in its blood to grow. We also have plans for growth. We want to expand our fields in increments of five and ten years. Right now we have made the right investment in MDF and are managing this. Later we want to continue making similar investments.

We know that despite this busy working tempo you also do sports. Can you tell us a little about your social life?

I enjoy working. I also like to travel. It was possible for me to combine the two when I travelled all over the world for several years to create our distributorship structure. Each one has my personal effort in it and I did this with great pleasure. I have also been involved in the rally sport for 10 years. I like sports. I ride bicycles, I play tennis and I go on nature hikes.

“It is not possible to succeed in your job if you don’t love it. Forced work never exceeds a certain level.”

You are the silhouette of a man who not only loves his job but gets pleasure from life.

You have to do this for a productive professional life. This like what the elders call “sharpening the ax”, you have to take a break at certain times. I am not a person who rests with an inactive holiday during the week, I rest while working. All of the sports I do also make me more efficient. For example, team work, time and risk management are very important in the rally sport. This sport has taught me a lot that I can apply to my professional life.

While we conclude our interview is there anything else you would like to add?

I come to my job with great pleasure every Monday. I have a Monday syndrome that is just the opposite of the typical Monday syndrome. I get ready for work and come in to the office with pleasure on Mondays. I have seen throughout the world that it is not possible to succeed at a job that you don’t like. It is a blessing that we do work we enjoy with people that we like. Having a home to go to anywhere in the world is something we have achieved through this job. I count myself lucky and am grateful to God everyday for what I have.

John Wooden

“The star of the teamis the team.”

AGT Board of Directors MemberMehmet Semih Söylemez

“We are preparing young people for

companies but are wepreparing companies

for young people?”


What are the advantages and disad-vantages to being a family owned company? If the members of a family business are diffe-rent from each other add have characteristics that complete each other this is a huge advan-tage. We are a family in which we are different but we complete each other so this is our grea-test wealth. The rule we have in our company’s constitution is that no material loss is worth of-fending a family member. People who manage companies of this scale must pay special attenti-on to psychology and communication. Also they must know diplomacy well. What you say and how you say it is very important because it is critical for you to establish good communica-tion with your family members and the people you work with. As I said we are a big family. We export to over 60 cou ntries with different languages and cultures and therefore we have over 10 different holidays in our lives. This is why we need to be able to communicate well not just with people in our country but with all countries. In my father’s take on training people he said “Some fathers raise lions, others raise sheep. When you raise a lion you know that it is going to claw you from time to time. I prefer to raise lions.”

When we take a look at my father’s professio-nal life we see a person who works very hard but also puts aside time for himself. This lifestyle has enabled us to renew our excitement each day instead of being burned out by our 40s. This same excitement is reflected in our Execu-tive Board. Despite their being in their 40s the Executive Board members are people who ma-intain that excitement every day.

What are the effects of your father on your personal and professional life?Of course his influence is great. Before every-thing else he has always been and continues to be a person who opens paths for us. If you ask me the greatest thing I learned from my father I would have to say that I learned to love learning from my father.

Could you tell us about the organizati-onal structure of AGT?I had undertaken responsibility for production and investments in our administrative organiza-tion until our MDF investment. In this period Mr. Ahmet was the Finance and Accounting Mana-ger and Mr. Mustafa was in charge of Sales, Marketing and R&D. With our MDF investment we have completely restructure or organization and established our Executive Board. As the Executive Board we determine strategies, make decisions and audit.What are your plans for handing AGT over to the generations after you? Our goal with Mr. Mustafa is to leave the com-pany to future generations as a company which

has completed the institutionalization process. This is why we are concentrating our work on creating a suitable family constitution and completing all the institutionalization processes correctly.

You have made a 150 Million Dollar in-vestment in an MDF factory. Could you give us some details about this?We started planning this investment in 2009 by preparing feasibility studies. After planning all the processes the construction was started in 2012 and the assembly work was done in 13 months. This is a very short time for such a large scale investment but what I am most proud of is that this process was completed without any serious work accidents. There are 70 supplier companies and 900 subcontractor employees behind this structure.

Could you tell us a little about your so-cial life outside work…Every year Doğan Cüceoğlu and I meet with stu-dents at eight universities. I also receive support from Instructor Doğan both in my professional and personal life. I always make time for sports everyday with morning walks, jogging or bike-riding. When I can I also go skiing. I do not take work outside of working hours. I am active on the social media and share a wide range of views from my professional life to people re-lations in my “Emotional Capital” blog every Monday. My book called “Emotional Capital”, in which I describe the emotional depth of ins-titution-individual relations, has been translated into three languages and is currently in its third print. I also share my views on my “Emotional Capital” account and follow the updates.

There have always been people from different cultures and sectors around you. Can we say at this point that you are collecting people?This is the way I think it should be. When you say AGT I do not see walls and machines, I see over 1000 people. This goes up to 5000 people with the dealers. Actually the sum of all these people is AGT.

Finally, is there any message you wish to send to the AGT family?In the world of business raw materials, tech-nology and the market is at the same distance from everyone. It is accessible to everyone. We create our distinction with the value we place on people. Everyone can make an investment and sell products to the market but there is a “human” factor in the center of all this. As the AGT family our greatest responsibility is to carry our company forward to future generations with a management approach that places importan-ce on people, values their ideas, supports their individual development and enables them to re-ach their potential.

The MDF production complex started producti-on in March of 2014. You were present in every stage of the process. Can you tell us about this investment?Our large MDF investment which is located on an area of 260,000m2 is comprised of two stages. The first stage is the MDF, adhesive, impregnated paper and melami-ne press facility which began operating in March. The second stage is the laminated parquet, door press and High Gloss facilities. Our lacquer and door facility will begin operating at the end of this year and our laminated parquet facility will start operating in March of 2015.

Turkey’s largest MDF factory

was brought to life in a record-

breaking 13months.

AGT’s Executive Board Member in charges of technical operations, Faruk Şişçi, is a Forest Industry Engineering specialist who has been a senior level administrator in the sector for many years.We talked to the Technical Operations Director of the production complex, Faruk Şişçi, about the 150 million dollar giant MDF investment made by AGT in 2014.

Production has started in the MDF factory!

Area of AGT’s production:

400 thousand m2

Annual production capacity of MDF factory:

500 thousand m3

Annual production capacity of impregnated paper facility:

75 million m2

Annual production capacity of adhesive factory:

100 thousand tons

Annual production capacity of melamine press facility:

30 million m2

Annual production capacity of our high gloss lacquer line:

8.5 million m2

Annual production capacity of laminated parquet facility:

15 million m2

What is the position of this investment in the sector and its production capacity compared to similar investments in Turkey and the world?If we consider only the production capacity, there are a few facilities of this scale in Turkey. However if we con-sider the eighth generation continued press, a detail that means providing better quality boards to our customers, this is the first and only facility in this field in Turkey. Also quality production was the basis for the placement of the facility on a 500 meter linear location where the contact of the board exiting sanding with the forklifts is reduced to a minimum to prevent any compromises in quality. From this perspective it is among a select few facilities in the world and the only one of its kind in Turkey.


AGT Executive Board Member andTechnical Operations Director

Faruk Şişçi

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your position in AGT?I am an industrial engineer. Philosophy was another field that I started and got great pleasure from while studying engineering. Working for a number of years in different managerial positions at multi-national companies gave me experience in success, working in a results oriented approach and developing team spirit on teams enriched with diversity. I have been head of the AGT Information Technologies and Information Systems Department (IT/IS) for almost a year.

Can you give us some information about AGT’s Information Technologies and Information Systems Department and the operations?

The IT/IS Department aims to conduct system and information management in light of constantly changing and developing information technologies with reliable and correctly calculated risks and, in this respect, to work towards AGT internalizing these developments to be used in its own processes in the most efficient way. Our goal is to ensure that all work units use technology in the most correct and efficient manner and as a result achieve a competitive edge in line with AGT’s corporate strategic goals.

Do you have priorities in this respect? Or what are the projects you plan to do?In serving we prefer to be “result” and “people focused”. From this aspect we plan work proces-ses as goals rather than isolating them based on departments. This approach not only minimizes the risk of compromising another job while working on the job at hand, but it also ensures the compatibility of interacting processes. Another tool we use in this context is “Change Manage-ment”. The “Change Management Board”, in which all AGT work units are represented, our processes are looked at with and end-to-end logic ensuring that Corporate Resource Planning (CRP) processes work smoothly and preventing disruptions in information flow. In the year ahead of us we plan to integrate this process we have started with CRP with the other processes.

Since “uninterrupted service” (work continuity) is an important performance criteria for us in the matters I have mentioned above, it is our priority to back-up our hardware, software and Human Resources. We place importance on being available whenever we are needed. In order to provide better services to our customers we plan to present our B2B project for use in the end of 2014. We are contributing to the 24/7 continuation of our main job which is production be reporting any interruption in services that affects the work force.

Is there anything you would like to add in conclusion?We see technology as a tool that supports our “main” work which is “production and sales” and by using the continuous improvement method we aim to reach “the best of tomorrow”. The flow of information being reliable, uninterrupted, accessible and available to share is extremely beneficial for all units. By constantly reviewing work processes in a programmed manner, taking examples from “good practices” and raising awareness to support this we will realize both our department’s and our company’s goals. Managing change actively will be our daily work and an innovative, controlled approach will be our motto while managing change. In 2014-2015 our priority will be to move towards fast and innovative approaches in our processes.

We have to be results oriented and focused on people

While reinforcing its IT and IS Department with advanced

information technologies, AGT continues to be a leader in

information systems as much as in production processes.

AGT Executive Board Member and IT Department Director

Gönül Kapılan explained the developments in AGT’s

information technologies and systems.


2014 DesignTrends

Design, color and concept decisions are important during the project planning stage of interior architecture work. All of these decisions are factors that are a must to create a project. When forming free designs the design trends and latest tech-nologies must be followed so that we can respond to requests of people with more suitable solutions. This is only possible with constant self-improvement.

The color that will be in decoration this year is radiant orchid. Radiant orchid is a soft color which is a combination of fuchsia, lilac and pink. When used together with green, turquoise, yellow and beige you can create miracles.

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As this year’s trend every shiny and matt object can be used together. These two types used together create a stylish look. For example textile products like velvet and silk can now be used in combinati-on. Velvet and silk will be taking the pla-ce of natural textures. This year’s aging trend is also maintaining its dominance in fabrics. Different combinations and opposite color contrasts will while chan-ge our home from dormant to active. By using such small plays on colors and lights you can create different applicati-ons in your home.

We need to see texture in our designs. We need movement from dormant to ac-tive. We should opt for alternatives that will create graphic effects like geometric designs and plays on lines when choo-sing textures. Walls will continue to gain depth with plays of light and niches.

Especially on walls we will see the frequ-ent use of wallpaper and paint together. Wallpapers that emphasize “a natural and healthy lifestyle trend” with flower designs will be prominent.

In kitchen design the use of plain solid color cupboard doors will make that kitchen seem monotone over time. But if cupboard doors with more texture are chosen and more than one color is incor-porated in the design this will add live-liness and motion to your kitchen. AGT has a wide variety of cupboard doors with different textures and colors to cho-ose from.

Design shows us that we need to pay more attention to small details when the product is graceful, aesthetic and inno-vative.

I use AGT products in my designs be-cause AGT presents grace, aesthetics and new trends with its products. With a wide range of products and colors AGT opens the doors to distinctive and mo-dern designs for you.

I pointed out that color, concept, functi-onality and comfort are important deta-ils of design. Bu in order to make these work they are completely dependent on the imagination and creativity of the in-dividual. Colors add vitality to your life. When you come from outside and enter your inner domain you will feel peace-ful. You deserve a lovely, fashionable, comfortable, quality and most of all happy life.

I just have one last thing to say: “AGT is it.”

These colors can be used dominantly throughout the decorati-on or in designs where light colors like white are the domi-nant color and to create and explosive effect.

AGT renews its color chart in a trend setting manner every year to be presented for your use. These colors can be used especially in accessories to create a mystic atmosphere. In addition to purple cobalt blue and tones of green are among the trend-setting colors this year. You can use cobalt blue with golden yellow supporting green to create a distinctive effect

We will see texture in the designs of this season.The designs will provide a transformation from stationary to mobile.When selecting textures we can choose alternatives like geometric

designs and plays on lines that create effects.


AGT’s Human Resources Management has been entrusted to Cihan Alp, who has been working in senior level HR management positions in the group companies for a number of years. We talked about AGT’s HR policies and plans for the future with Executive Board Member and HR Director Cihan Alp.

We are preparing AGT forGeneration Z

AGT is a constantly growing family. In the pre-sent business world the employees of compa-nies are defined as “human values”. You are at the head of AGT’s “human values”. How do you manage the HR processes as an individual?

To me the most important detail from the time a person is hired through the formation of all work processes is respect. If you are face to face with a candidate you must give them an answer because they deserve this. On the other hand a large portion of our day takes place here. Therefore my goal is this: smile, let people feel at ease and think they are in the right place. This is the path we are moving forward on now. I have gotten positive feed-back in this respect. Since our Board of Directors has a multinational approach to this subject what I have descri-bed has become the corporate attitude of AGT. AGT is a company that has completed institutio-nalization. Can you tell us about AGT’s policies in this process from an HR perspective? Our first goal is to standardize processes and support the institutionalization of AGT because the effects of HR on the institutionalization processes are major compared to other departments. We have reviewed our application procedures in this context and redefined them. We pub-lished AGT’s ethical values because AGT is a company that acts in accordance with ethical rules and strives to do honest work.

AGT has always valued employees.

Now we are starting a performance process. We have had an “Assess-ment Center” application in which our whole management staff was included. We are starting an onsite training system. Later we will have some training courses planned for our blue collar employees.

While training and social activities are as much a part of showing how much we value our employees it is also a result of a focus on people that is in the core of AGT.

Can we say that HR processes need to develop or be developed along with the company?

Of course we are going to need to work with “Generation Z” in the future. We need to adapt to them. It is important what we have talked about here to be put into practice in order for us to be one of the companies that people want to work in most.I think this is a problem in Turkey. Everything should be explained right in an interview. This is exactly what we are trying to do. I believe that it is important to be able to say I am learning, I am developing so I can work here.According to studies loyalty to the company at a rate of 60 percent and more has a 20 percent impact on the profitability of the company. AGT has a good foundation in this respect and will continue to do so.

Ramazan Peker, a former employee of AGT and also known as Master Ramazan, remembers his first day of work like it was yesterday: 10.10.1988. He says that there were 10 emplo-yees in AGT at that time and he started working as a headworker. Those years were when machine and automation was just starting to become popular. AGT was following advanced technology very closely then just as it does now.

Master Ramazan describes the secret to AGT’s success as follows: “AGT has always valued its employees. When the first profile machine was being bought they asked us, the employees, what kind of machine we thought they should get. Our bosses had said ‘Get whatever mac-hine they want’. Our rights were always defended and our ideas were always valued. I have been happy at AGT for 26 years.”


Documents

Anasayfa - AGTWORLD · 2016. 11. 25. · This is a corporate publication of AGT. It is free. Eylül 2014 - Sayı 1 AGTWORLD “We have put down our roots in this soil, our shadow