We conducted an interview with Oemak Machine’s co-founders, İbrahim Altıparmak and Mesut Barut, discussing the evolution of the Turkish woodworking machinery sector over the years, industry innovations for 2024, and the short, medium, and long-term goals of the Oemak Machine brand. Altıparmak and Barut, emphasizing the importance of maintaining reliability while offering high-quality products to the market, stated, “We want to stand out not only through the quality of our products and services but also through the strong relationships we build with our customers and our contributions to the industry. For this purpose, we are advancing confidently into the future on the path of sustainable growth by using resources efficiently.”

We listened to the evaluations of İbrahim Altıparmak and Mesut Barut, co-founders of Oemak Machine, which has garnered praise for their innovative products in the woodworking machinery sector. Highlighting the potential for new opportunities and markets in regions such as Asia-Pacific and Africa in 2024, Altıparmak and Barut shared significant insights with TWM Magazine regarding their R&D activities, company goals, and investments in technology and automation.

  • How did the year 2023 fare for the woodworking machinery sector? What are your predictions for 2024?

The year 2023 was quite positive for the woodworking machinery sector. The general developments and innovations in the industry led to significant progress and success. Positive feedback from our customers and the increasing demand indicate that the year was productive. Additionally, by participating in fairs, we had the opportunity to showcase our products to a broader audience and successfully attracted interest from many international clients. This interest and positive feedback quickly strengthened our position in the sector and enhanced our visibility on the global stage. We can consider 2023 as a year in which our brand gained international recognition and raised the bar for success. As for the current year, 2024 has seen a more pronounced interest in technology. We had identified this trend early on and aligned our planning accordingly. We continue to produce machines by keeping up with and applying advancements in today’s technology. Certainly, in 2024, fluctuations in demand may occur depending on economic conditions and the status of other markets. However, if uncertainties in the economy decrease, we anticipate an increase in investments and innovations in the sector. Particularly, new opportunities and markets may emerge in regions such as Asia-Pacific and Africa. We can consider 2024 as a year where technological improvements reflect in production and focus on sustainability.

“Our R&D department is constantly pursuing innovation”
  • Could you provide information about your company’s production capacity and facilities?

Our company has a dynamic production capacity in manufacturing CNC machining centers and CNC wood lathes. At our facility, we achieve high precision and quality standards, providing solutions that meet various industrial needs. We meticulously handle every stage of production, catering to both small-scale and large projects. With our welding, assembly, machining, and automation departments, providing high-quality products to our customers is our top priority. Additionally, our R&D department is constantly pursuing innovations and making significant efforts to contribute to the industry we serve. We will always continue to strive for quality and reliability.

“Our goal is to respond quickly and effectively to the needs in each region”
  • Which regions have you established dealerships in?

We have strong dealerships in major markets such as Ireland, the UK, Romania, Kosovo, Serbia, Canada, and Russia. Additionally, we are investing in emerging markets and striving to collaborate with local business partners. Our goal is to reach more customers worldwide and respond quickly and effectively to the needs of each region.

“Our core vision is to become one of the globally recognized brands in the machine industry”
  • What is the core vision of your company?

Our company’s core vision is to become one of the globally recognized brands in the machine industry and to deliver technology to our customers with optimal efficiency. In line with this vision, we aim to be a leader in technology and innovation. It is crucial for us to produce reliable and technologically advanced machines with the highest quality standards, while understanding our customers’ needs and providing effective solutions. We want to stand out not only with the quality of our products and services but also through the strong relationships we build with our customers and our contributions to the industry. For us, achieving excellence in every new project and leading innovations in the sector represents the greatest success. For this purpose, we are advancing confidently into the future on the path of sustainable growth by using resources efficiently.

  • What are the standout products and services of your company?

Among the standout products of our company are CNC milling machines, machining centers, and lathes. Each of our machines is designed and developed to achieve excellent results in industrial production. Our machines offer high precision and are suitable for versatile applications, providing outstanding results with high-speed features in the production of intricate parts. Different from other machines in the industry, our custom production options combine robust, durable machines with powerful software and control systems, making operators’ jobs easier while also speeding up the production process and positively affecting companies’ cost calculations. Our competitive advantage is shaped by our ongoing investments in technology and innovation, our customer-focused approach, and our high quality standards. By providing customized solutions for each customer, we help them optimize their business processes and increase their efficiency.

  • Do you have any new products that you have launched or are planning to launch in 2024?

As of 2024, we have some very exciting innovations. Among the new models we plan to launch this year are a nesting line, milling machines, and lathes. We have designed each model to include significant technological innovations and improvements, taking into account the latest industry developments and the needs of our users. We plan to introduce these new products and advanced models to our customers at one of the industry’s most significant fairs, the Woodtech Fair. At the fair, we will showcase the innovations of each product in detail, offering visitors the opportunity to experience firsthand the advantages and performance of our products.

“The foundation of our R&D activities is based on market trends and customer needs”
  • Can you provide detailed information about your R&D activities?

Our R&D activities are based on understanding market trends and customer needs. We regularly collect customer feedback and industry analyses, using this data to identify which products and technologies are in demand. This guides us in developing innovative solutions. We especially keep a close watch on technological advancements. We examine developments in fields such as automation and artificial intelligence. Drawing inspiration from these technologies, we continuously update our products and processes. When designing new products or processes, we develop prototypes and conduct extensive trials. These trials and tests help us evaluate the performance, reliability, and durability of our products. In accordance with the results, we make necessary improvements based on the data obtained. We continuously monitor how our customers use our products and the issues they encounter. This feedback provides a valuable resource for product and process improvements and helps us enhance customer satisfaction.

“We maintain a large stock of frequently used spare parts”
  • Can you provide information about your after-sales services? What kind of investments and efforts are you making in this field?

We maintain a wide stock of frequently used spare parts to ensure timely availability and smooth operation of the machines, and we can respond instantly to customer requests through efficient logistics processes. We offer 24/7 technical support to our customers. Thanks to our experienced technicians, we can quickly resolve issues via phone, email, or remote connection. We also provide on-site service to professionally carry out maintenance and repairs of the machines. To ensure that our customers use our machines as efficiently as possible, we offer regular training on installation, usage, maintenance, and safety procedures. To increase customer satisfaction, we regularly collect feedback and use it to continuously improve and enhance our services.

  • What are your predictions for the future of the Turkish woodworking machinery sector?

The increasing number of manufacturers releasing innovative products and aiming to play a role in the global market, along with the experience and support of the AİMSAD association, gives us full confidence that our sector will reach much better levels. We believe that an increase in government support and its efficient use will accelerate this process.

“We will increase our energy efficiency and reduce  our impact on the environment”
  • What are your company’s future goals? Can you share your short, medium, and long-term goals?

In the short term, we plan to showcase the innovations we will bring to the sector through our R&D department, which is one of our strong units. We also aim to expand into new markets and grow our existing network of dealerships. We intend to maintain customer satisfaction and grow proportionally with the increase in market share. We aim to introduce more customers to the unique advantages of Oemak Machine. In the medium term, our technology investments will continue. We will transition to environmentally friendly production processes to enhance our energy efficiency and reduce our environmental impact. To gain a stronger position in the international market, we will develop strategic partnerships and collaborations. In the long term, we aim to become one of the leading brands in our industry. We will guide technology trends by applying technology to our products in the most optimal way. Additionally, we plan to invest more in social responsibility projects and increase our environmental contributions. We aim to set an example for other companies in the industry with our contributions to society and the environment. We will continue to progress and develop at every stage. In line with these goals, we plan to continuously pursue innovation to provide the best possible service to both our customers and the industry.

“The WoodTech Fair is the most important meeting point of the sector in Türkiye”
  • Finally, we would like to hear your thoughts on the WoodTech Fair, the most important meeting point of the sector.

The WoodTech Fair is one of the most important meeting points in the sector in Türkiye and offers an excellent opportunity for both industry professionals and suppliers. It provides valuable insights into the latest technologies, new products, and innovative solutions, and offers a chance to connect with other professionals, business partners, and potential customers in the sector. Participating in the WoodTech Fair this year, just as in previous years, will provide us with significant benefits both professionally and personally. Additionally, it allows us to exchange ideas with valuable colleagues who share our vision and are representing our country effectively in the global market, and it gives us the pride of representing our nation.