Bartu Gökçora, Technical Sales and Consultancy Manager of Knauf Türkiye

We conducted an engaging interview with Bartu Gökçora, Technical Sales and Consulting Manager at Knauf Türkiye. Gökçora provided detailed information about Knauf's environmental policy and sustainability approach.

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

I completed my degree in Interior Architecture and Environmental Design at Bilkent University and subsequently earned my MBA in Business Administration from the same university. I have been serving the industry for over 20 years in technical sales, technical marketing, specifications and project management, as well as business development and consulting. I started at Knauf approximately 15 years ago as a technical consultant and continue in my current role as Technical Sales and Consulting Manager. I simultaneously carry the same responsibility for the Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. During this period, I have had the opportunity to provide system solutions, value propositions and consulting in compliance with global and local standards and regulations for approximately 200 domestic and foreign projects annually. I have also had the opportunity to share my knowledge through teaching and seminar programs at various universities, and in the technical commissions of numerous civil society organizations and associations.

Could you provide information about Knauf's founding process and current structure? How long has Knauf Türkiye been operating?

Knauf was founded as a family company in Germany in 1932. Our company, with annual revenues exceeding EUR 10 billion through new investments, is one of the largest players in the construction sector with more than 28,000 employees across 5 continents. In Turkey, we began production in 1989 at the Ankara facility, which was Turkey's first gypsum wallboard factory, operating under the name Biltepe A.Ş. Following our merger with the global giant Knauf in 1997, our company became known as "Tepe Knauf," and from 2000 onwards continued its investments as 100% Knauf. We commissioned a new gypsum wallboard factory in İzmit in 2000, and in 2009 began production at our third facility in Ankara Ahiboz, one of Europe's largest plants. In Turkey, we serve the industry from 3 production facilities in Ankara and İzmit with approximately 350 employees.

Which sectors does Knauf primarily supply and what types of products? What are Knauf's products, brands and services?

As Knauf, it would be fair to say that with over 1,200 product varieties, system solutions and technical capabilities, we are industry leaders. We are the world's largest manufacturers in interior and exterior wall systems such as partition, facade and cladding walls with gypsum-based plasters and gypsum plaster solutions/products; and in ceiling systems with gypsum plaster, mineral wool or stone wool ceiling products. Our portfolio also includes floor systems, cement-based interior and exterior facade systems, as well as plaster and mortar machinery systems. We have system solutions suitable for all types of building applications that meet performance and quality criteria at the highest levels.

Could you tell us about your domestic and international sales activities? Which regions do you primarily serve domestically and internationally, and what types of products do you sell?

We can say that we have a strong distribution channel with over 230 dealers in Turkey. We also place considerable importance on export activities. We conduct exports to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. We also conduct seasonal exports to countries such as the United Kingdom and France as needed.

What type of work do you conduct in the areas of innovation and R&D as Knauf?

Our R&D activities are conducted on a global scale. As Knauf, we operate with the mission of being a leader in the industry through our technological knowledge base and global experience, and through new value-added products and systems developed as a result of our R&D activities.

Could you provide information about Knauf's environmental policy and sustainability approach? What can you tell us about your work related to worker health and safety?

The reality that the world we live in is not always sustainable emphasizes the need for us to attach even greater importance to sustainability. This is because the failure to ensure sustainability is usually a consequence of insufficient sense of responsibility. We assume responsibility for our future. Sustainability is a prerequisite for long-term success at Knauf. Without a sense of personal and institutional responsibility, without innovation, without our values and ethical business practices, without an approach of mutual respect and appreciation of achievements, success is not possible for us. That is why we also assume responsibility in the field of sustainability. Companies like Knauf need well-functioning environmental management structures to meet the requirements of the legal framework. This encompasses many issues, from the restoration of our gypsum mines to their natural state, optimization of production stages, the additives used and our emissions figures. It is not possible to achieve success without these. However, merely fulfilling the obligations that fall upon you may not be sufficient to place you in a strong position to meet the needs that the future will bring. In this context, in addition to sustainable products and systems that shape the future, our employees also have this sense of responsibility and motivation.

"Since 2013, as Knauf Türkiye, we have supported and will continue to support approximately 100 projects that will obtain green building certification."

After achieving all of this, we conduct our business on sustainable foundations. In this context, according to LEED V4 principles, regarding energy consumption in buildings, use of environmentally friendly products and resources with low environmental impact, use of products made from raw materials with low environmental impact, indoor environmental quality, and ensuring the recycling of waste resulting from production, we have supported and will continue to support approximately 100 projects seeking green building certification since 2013, thanks to the positive contributions offered by our gypsum and gypsum plaster products. I would also like to share with you an important development for us on this occasion: our Knauf factories have earned the right to obtain ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard, which is an international standard that defines and describes the process of work aimed at reducing the use of natural resources and minimizing damage to soil, water and air, and controlling and improving environmental performance. Regarding occupational health and safety, in addition to complying with the legal regulations published by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services, we have approved certificates from Bureau Veritas confirming that we meet the OHSAS 18001 occupational health and safety standard. Furthermore, as of this year, our workers have been given the authority to stop work. When our workers observe a situation contrary to occupational health and safety, they can report it to their supervisors and stop the work. In addition to these, along with internal campaigns, events and periodically scheduled training, we will organize a Knauf family gathering at our factories in October under the title of occupational health and safety.