Gedik Holding is a conglomerate group of divisions headquartered in Istanbul. These divisions include Gedik Welding, Gedik Advanced Casting Technologies, Gedik Termo Valve, Gedik Health, Gedik University, Gedik Test Center, Gedik Art and Radio Gedik.
Gedik Holding has more than 1600 employees and was established in 1963 and now they are proudly celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. Over the years, Gedik Holding not only has established a lot of “firsts”, but has also become one of the highly valued exporters in Turkey. Now, the company is on all continents with over 100 countries.
Interview with Hulya Gedik, Chairperson of the Board at Gedik Holding.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Hulya Gedik: Gedik Welding, Gedik Advanced Casting Technologies, Gedik Termo Valve and Gedik University are the main divisions. Every division we have provides connectivity to each other and this gives us a competitive edge by providing solution packages. Gedik Welding is one of the largest manufacturers in Europe exporting welding consumables and welding machines to more than 100 countries under the internationally registered tradenames of GeKa®, GeKaTec® and GeKaMac®.
Gedik Advanced Casting performs all processes of casting and valve production together with Gedik Termo Valve for many sectors such as automotive, energy, defense industry, shipbuilding, pump, agriculture.
Our main production facility is in Hendek, a city that is 159 km east of Istanbul. This is a modern, state-of-the-art facility in environmentally- friendly surroundings. Gedik Production Facilities has an area of 260000 M2.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
H.G: Our R&D facility has some of the best engineers that are not only continually educating themselves but also are very connected to our production requirements to assure the customers special demands are met. Having our own casting facility makes it possible for us to offer customized products designed for specific needs of the market. Presently, we are focusing on robotic applications (WAAM) technology.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
H.G: In addition to all kinds of consumables and welding machines needed for welded manufacturing, we offer a full package solution to the sector with complementary products such as electrodes, welding powder drying ovens, smoke extraction systems, occupational safety equipment, welding torches and consumables, gas fixtures, abrasive stones and automation systems needed in the manufacturing processes. Our wide range of products such as strainers, check valves, fire valves mainly with globe valves, ball valves, butterfly and slide valves; In many sectors such as industrial facilities, power plants, shipbuilding sector, steam, hot oil, hot water, natural gas, oil addresses the applications of various fluids.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
H.G: Since manufacuring will always be in place all our divisions have a share of the export markets. This is the foundation of our sustainability. To continue with competitive advantage, presenting solutions including Repair and Maintenance is now more important than ever. Price competition is fierce. However, our presence in other countries with established offices gives an edge to us in remaining competitive.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
H.G: As a result of the supply problems in the energy sector, investments in energy facilities and especially in renewable energy facilities around the world have increased the interest in the resources sector and demand started to rise in this part of the markets.
Investments in automation and robotic applications in the welding sector have gained momentum. (The reasons are higher production speed, increase in welding excellence, and declining number of new welders). Cored welding wires, the use of which is rapidly becoming widespread, stand out with their ability to provide faster, more efficient and needed mechanical and chemical properties.
According to BBC research, “the market for welding-related products has been growing steadily over the past few years. It will experience a massive growth of $6.7 billion between 2021 and 2025.” Evidently, the welding industry is a massive market for countless businesses. It can be divided into many categories, including consumables, equipment, and welding services. It is a rapidly growing sector, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 5%. This growth rate is high in the Asia-Pacific region. The industry is growing due to the rising demand for welders. It’s also caused by welding-related merchandise in the construction, manufacturing, and automotive industries.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
H.G: Our new products offer tailor-made solutions for repair and maintenance applications which helps reducing costs. Our underwater welding and cutting electrodes, Laser welding machines, WAAM technology are all part of portfolio as we continue enhancing them.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
H.G: 2023 will be a year of uncertainties and probably unexpected events. Usually, global economic crisis in the past has always helped to raise new companies that are now major brands. However, this time the unpredictability of events that are completely out of our control is not helping. But our sustainability is strong and we are focusing on growing into more markets with unique solutions that only we can provide. Our structure provides a lot of value for the global markets with customized solutions as exactly as they need it. These technologies will always be in demand. And in the global arena whichever supplier adapt themselves to change in needs and technologies will be the winner.