Business life is undergoing rapid transformation in all sectors around the world. The young generation, which stands out with its dynamism and innovative perspective, emerges as the most important actor of this transformation. Young leaders bring a new breath to company management with their command of technology and interest in flexible working models. Production Manager – Mechanical Engineer Barış Ünver, one of the second-generation managers of Ünver Woodworking Machinery, one of the well-established companies in the Turkish woodworking machinery industry, is one of the prominent names in the sector in this sense. Barış Ünver, with whom we talked about his evaluations of the sector, his career journey and goals: “Our company is rightfully proud of exporting to 52 different countries in its 44th year. We aim to increase this number to 70 within five years.”

We talked about the Turkish woodworking machinery industry with Barış Ünver, Mechanical Engineer – Production Manager of Ünver Woodworking Machinery, one of the well-established companies in the Turkish woodworking machinery industry. Stating that he has been in professional business life for 10 years, Ünver explained his goals as a company with the following sentences: “Our primary goals were the development of the products we currently manufacture, the production of original new items, market research, research of foreign dealerships, and the development of the after-sales technical support team.”

  • First of all, can we get to know you a little? How many years have you been in professional business life?

First of all, I wholeheartedly congratulate our association AIMSAD on its 10th anniversary and thank everyone who contributed. I hope that our success will continue with the increasing number of our members. I graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye, University of Economics and Technology. I received education on Young Entrepreneurs and Competitiveness in England. Later, I gained experience in different areas such as machining, mechanical assembly, design, installation-service, purchasing, production planning, sales and marketing in our company. As the second generation in our company, I have been in professional business life for 10 years. I currently work as production manager. I am working as the Wood Works Sector President of the Association of Contributors to Production, established in Ankara.

“We need to compete in machines with high added value”
  • As a young manager, how would you evaluate the current situation of the woodworking machinery industry? What should be done to increase export figures and diversify markets?

Türkiye has always struggled in this difficult geography due to its geopolitical location. Despite difficulties such as recession in Europe, pandemic, energy and raw material crises, Russia-Ukraine war, Azerbaijan-Armenia war, Palestine-Israel war, embargoes on Russia and Iran, instability in Syria, irregular migration, high interest-inflation, foreign dependency on raw materials, and lack of qualified workforce, our woodworking machinery industry has been increasing its export figures since 2017. In recent years, Turkish machinery manufacturers in our sector continue to grow in the machines they produce and the services they offer. However, we still have a long way to go and we need to work harder than our competitors to close the gap without complacency. Türkiye is the 11th country with the most exports. Our goal should be to position ourselves behind China, Germany and Italy and be among the top 5 countries by increasing our slice of the cake. I appreciate AIMSAD representing us at fairs and helping us reach more audiences with magazines and member catalogues. Our company is proud of exporting to 52 different countries in its 44th year. Increasing export figures and market diversification requires each manufacturer as a sector to increase the quality of design, production, spare parts-service, promotion and after-sales service in proportion to its strength. Instead of price-oriented competition, we need to compete on machines with high added value.

“Our primary goal is to produce original new products”
  • Could you give information about the work you have implemented to adapt to new technologies both in company management and production and to make your company stand out with a competitive advantage?

Our company participated in the EU project named “Industry 4.0-Focused Modern Manufacturing Design Techniques”, pioneered by the Machinery Exporters’ Association, in Germany and Poland and examined the production technologies and new trends of European companies. Our primary goals were the development of our current products, the production of original new items, market research, research on foreign dealerships, and the development of the after-sales technical support team. In order to take our company one step forward with its competitive advantage, we offer our customers the opportunity to personally experience and see the machines we manufacture and sell by organizing appointment demonstrations in line with their demands in our new store. Thus, we create a full-time and permanent fair area.

“Smart people need to be able to benefit from the minds and ideas of those around them”
  • As a young manager, what management strategies do you apply to motivate your team and increase their performance?

I strive to distribute tasks and responsibilities fairly. Taking into account the training, abilities and needs of the team members, I give them appropriate tasks so that they can develop their skills. I also prefer to show that everyone within the team can contribute by providing opportunities to exchange ideas. Two heads are better than one. Smart people need to be able to benefit from the minds and ideas of those around them.

“My father is also my mentor”
  • Is there a leader in your business life that inspires you? What did you learn from this leader?

I take as an example the struggles, visions and disciplined work of business people such as Rahmi Koç, Sakıp Sabancı, İshak Alaton, Murat Ülker, Hüsnü Özyeğin and Murat Vargı. My mentor, who inspires me, is my father, our general manager, Faruk Ünver. The most important principles that our father taught us are being open to innovations and lifelong learning, doing your job with passion and learning from mistakes. When you do these, success and development become inevitable.

“I try to manage my time in a balanced way between work and private life”
  • What approach do you adopt to ensure career and private life balance in a busy work schedule?

I try to manage my time in a balanced way between work and private life. We work intensively during our business hours. Outside of work hours, I do my best to get away from work completely and spend time with my family, rest and engage in my personal interests. I like playing chess. I walk regularly for two hours a week. Thus, I try to keep myself physically and mentally fit.

5 goals in 5 years
  • What are your top 5 goals regarding your business life in the next 5 years?
  1. Increasing the added value of the machines we produce
  2. Increasing the number of countries we export to 70
  3. Increasing the brand value of our company
  4. To enhance our company’s corporate culture
  5. Preparing for green transformation and border carbon regulation
“You need to start networking while you are still a student”
  • What are your suggestions to young professionals about networking?

We know how social media is rapidly changing our lives, increasing our visibility and our environment. I think you should start networking while you’re still a student. First of all, LinkedIn is an effective platform to follow experts and professionals in the industry. Keeping your resume up-to-date and accessible will be an advantage. You can become a member of chambers, associations and groups related to the fields you are interested in, participate in trainings, conferences and seminars, improve your network and benefit from the knowledge and vision of people who are knowledgeable in this field.