Turkish tool and mould industry to grow 15% this year

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ETMM: What sectors are the most important markets for Turkish tool and mould makers?

Ozogul: Turkey is the global leader in the light-commercial-vehicle market and is becoming one in medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, buses and agricultural vehicles worldwide. Turkey’s export-oriented economy is rapidly growing, owing to an annual automotive industry output of as many as one and a quarter million vehicles. Therefore, for Turkish tool and mould makers, the automotive sector is the most important one. Seventy percent of moulds produced are intended for use in the automotive industry.

Turkey does more business with Germany than any other country, followed by Italy, England and France.

ETMM: Are tools and moulds generally made for use in country? Does Turkey import many moulds?

Ozogul: Turkey has become an important global automotive production hub. We export 70% of what we produce. However, the ratio of domestically produced parts is decreasing from the levels of previous years. So, as our production increases, our imports are increasing, too. Moulds are being imported from abroad, although Turkey is very well capable of making them.

The domestic market does not buy from Turkish mould makers. However, we do supply such foreign giants as Mercedes, BMW, VW, Porsche, Ferrari and Maserati.

Turkish mould makers have a competitive advantage based on quality and price, as I mentioned before, which is proven by positive growth rates. But domestic primary industries import to a great extent from low-cost countries such as China. At the same time, we have a considerable amount of business centring on making modifications to moulds coming from China.

ETMM: How do you expect the industry to develop over the next few years?

Ozogul: Our sector has made a good start in 2012. Taking into consideration first-quarter production numbers, UKUB expects the Turkish mould making industry to grow by 15% in 2012.

Turkey will advance through the years by selling “made in Turkey” products to the whole world, and we mould makers will keep working hard to support the manufacturers. If there are no moulds, there is no production!

Tool Manufacturers’ Association of Turkey (UKUB)

Bursa, Turkey

www.ukub.org.tr

(ID:33346310)