Gürdesan Embarks on Propeller Production
Dech machinary and marine equipment producer Gürdesan continues to expand both in terms of market share and product range. Company last week told Turkish Marine Post about it plans to commence propulsion system production in cooperation with UK based partner.
Turkish Marine Post, in the first issue is pleased the feature Mr. Mustafa Gürsoy, Gürdesan’s Chairman, on these “Marine Equipmunt” pages. Mr.Gürsoy, Who at the same time is a board member of ODEK (Oruç Reis Maritime Society ), is the leader and inspiring force behind capable Gürdesan crew. Gürdesan was established in 1982 with onboard equipment repairs as mainstay. However business developed beyond repairs and in time Gürdesan shifted to manufactiring equipment like hatch covers, cargo cranes and lifesaving equipment in a 2 hectare factory.” on average and foreign origin parts constitute only 20 percent of any given Gürdesan product.ı daresay, after 30 years in to the industry, we have accumulated a remarkable component know – how which enables as to drug our prices below as much as 30 percent compared to european products “he says pointing out to company’s in-house manufacturing capabilities and agressive pricing strategy.
Tuzla Trends Shape production policy
According to Mr.Gürsoy,prior to 2002 only 20 percent of Gürdesan’s turnover had stemmed from production whereas the major part had been coming from repairs. During the new building boom period, the ratios have switched places has production then rapidly rose to take up 80 percent of all company activities.”Howevar nowadays we are using 50 percent of overall capacity,evenly shared bvetween rapairs and production “he says.the crisis and the following wave of cancellations seem to have taken their toll of Gürdesan too, as Mr.Gürsoy
explains “Over 100 projects that we had been contracted for were cancelled during crises. Although we were long on inventory to fulfill contracts, we did not opt to impose sanctions, as we think everbody is in the same boat”.
Owners “follow quality”
Mentioning about Gürdesan’s growth plans. Mr. Gürsoy say that their facilities will soon be extended to cover 4 hectares, doubling the existing Layout. He emphasized the importance of Far Eastern and Russian exports for Gürdesan where apperantly a strong demand is devoloping.” Our export activity is actually have a result of Tuzla’s performance is selling ships abroad. one Tuzla built ship owner later on called us the order equpiment for this vassels can actually see Gürdesan quality onboard and compare it to the relatively expensive European or Japanese equipment.We see ourselves in the same league with our global competitors” he says.
Propulsion plant underway
Gürdesan is also known to take part in Turkish Naval projects, as the company is reportedly commissioned to manufacture deck machinery packages for 10 naval ships. Further news into the company is that propulsion will become a serious new field for Gürdesan as Mr. Gürsoy speaks as follows: “We are looking to start propulsion systems production jointly with a UK based partner. Both fixed pitch and controllable pitch propellers of up to 6 meter in diameter are going to be produced. Although our partner focusses on export oriented production, we hope to be able to meet some domestic demand as well as producing for naval projects.”
