We Conducted an Interview with Hakan Tanrıöven

In our interview, A. U. Hakan Tanrıöven, Sales Manager at Robatech Adhesive Technologies, provided information about their products and technologies.  

Could you briefly tell our readers about yourself, your educational background and professional experience?

My name is A. U. Hakan Tanrıöven, I was born on 6 May 1970. I am a high school graduate and entered commerce at a very young age immediately after my schooling. Together with my brother, we founded a company operating in the construction and consumer durables sectors. Subsequently, I began working in the sales department at "İkiler Ticaret A.Ş.", a company owned by family members that acted as the General Distributor for Robatech AG in Turkey, and later continued my working life as a partner at the same company.

Could you provide information about Robatech's establishment process and the stages it has gone through to the present day? When did Robatech begin operating in Turkey?

Robatech is a family company founded in 1975 by Mr. Hans Meyer in Switzerland to manufacture hot and cold adhesive application machines and equipment for the packaging sector. Subsequently, it has expanded its sales network by providing distributorships to many countries around the world. It has now transformed into an international company producing in 4 different countries and providing sales and after-sales services in over 90 countries. As of 2022, Robatech AG has become one of the leading organizations in its sector with over 1,000 employees worldwide. İkiler Ticaret A.Ş. took on the role of Robatech AG's General Distributor in Turkey as of 1996. In the early period, it was a team of 3 people; I joined the company as sales manager in 2000. Between 2000 and 2012, İkiler Ticaret A.Ş. experienced rapid growth and consistently ranked among the top 5 distributors of Robatech AG in terms of sales volume. In 2012, Robatech AG's Headquarters decided to establish operations in Turkey. İkiler Ticaret A.Ş. transferred all controlling shares to Robatech AG in exchange for a certain amount, enabling our company to continue operations under the name "Robatech Adhesive Technologies Inc." Currently, as a Switzerland-based company in our country, we continue to provide services under the name "Robatech Adhesive Technologies Inc."

What are the products, brands and services offered by Robatech? Which sectors does Robatech primarily serve and what types of products does it offer?

Robatech manufactures only industrial adhesive application machines and equipment. It operates in 9 sectors starting with packaging, followed by converting, textiles, graphic arts, furniture, construction, the bedding industry, hygiene sector and automotive.

Could you tell us about your domestic and international sales activities? To which regions within the country and abroad do you sell what types of products?

As Robatech Turkey, we are responsible primarily for Turkey, and subsequently for Northern Cyprus, South Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Syria and Georgia. We conduct sales and technical service activities in these countries. Our head office is located in Kocaeli, and we also have offices in Izmir (Aegean), Adana (Mediterranean - South-Eastern Anatolia) and Istanbul on the European side.  

What kind of activities do you undertake at Robatech in the areas of technology, innovation and R&D?

As Robatech Turkey, we do not conduct any manufacturing; we only provide import and sales services. However, at our Switzerland headquarters, at least CHF 5 million is allocated annually for R&D and new product design, and investments are made in new product design, innovation and sustainability.

Could you provide information about Robatech's environmental policy and sustainability approach?

We have much to say about this as Robatech. First, I should say that Robatech's motto has been "Green Gluing" for many years. Through Green Gluing, we bring ecological thinking and commerce to the entire life cycle of our products and solutions. For example, we use energy efficiency-enhanced infrastructure and produce many of our service buildings worldwide using solar energy. Robatech ensures that the products it offers to customers have the advantages of efficient energy use, high product quality, modular configuration, easy assembly and long-lasting optimal performance by always prioritizing the innovation and development processes of products. In short: Our energy-saving solutions optimize adhesive consumption gramages by preserving the adhesive used in our units, thereby minimizing adhesive waste from a sustainability perspective. Robatech investment plans are developed according to which criteria? Does Robatech have investment plans for the coming periods, and if so, what are they? Of course, as Robatech Turkey we have growth and investment plans for our country. Currently, we continue our services with a team of 36 people in an area of 1,600 m² at our Kocaeli headquarters. Our target within the first 5 years is to reach 50 employees. In line with this target, our General Headquarters in Switzerland has decided to invest TRY 100 million in Turkey over the next two years. As the first step of this decision, five months ago we purchased a plot of land of 3,000 m² within the borders of Kocaeli province in "Alikahya Organized Industrial Zone." During 2023, we will begin construction of a building on this land with a maximum usable area of 5,000 m². Currently, our building's design and drawing work is being carried out by an architectural firm. Subsequently, we will continue our operations in our new building with our growing and developing organization.