The Rubber Cluster, which underwent an intensive preparation period under the academic consultancy of Çankaya University and the support of OSTİM, has completed its process. 24 companies and supporting institutions signed the Letter of Intent and Establishment Protocol for the OSTİM Rubber Cluster, which will bring a new dimension to productivity and innovation efforts. The signing ceremony for the Rubber Technologies Cluster, OSTİM's 6th cluster, was held at the Gazi University OSTİM METEM Facilities on January 10, 2013.
A new cluster has been added to those already existing within OSTİM, this time by representatives of the rubber industry. Following the Construction and Industrial Machinery, Defense, Medical, Renewable Energy, and Rail Transportation Systems clusters, the Rubber Technologies Cluster, the sixth cluster organization, commenced operations after the signing of its Letter of Intent and Establishment Protocol. Supported by 24 rubber companies, public institutions, and civil society organizations, the cluster will provide solutions to a wide range of needs of its members, from technology and product development to sales and marketing practices.
Stating that clustering requires sacrifice and effort, OSTİM Board Chairman Orhan Aydın said, “I believe that very positive results will emerge from this formation and success stories will be written.” Çankaya University Rector Prof. Dr. Ziya Burhanettin Güvenç noted that clustering will protect SMEs against the coming nanotechnology deluge.
“Our Goal is to Exist in the Future” OSTİM Board Chairman Orhan Aydın began his speech at the ceremony by explaining the aims of cluster formations. Stating that OSTİM has been carrying out clustering efforts since 2007, Aydın said that what industrialists are essentially trying to do is survive and exist in the future. Aydın said, “We are seeking answers to questions such as: Will we really be doing these things we are doing now in 10 or 20 years? Will we be able to compete in global competition? For nearly 30 years, we have been living within, observing, and researching the businesses in OSTİM, while also trying to follow what is happening in the world. We clearly see that it is not possible to carry these businesses into the future with traditional methods. It is clear that we need to change our current production, sales, and organizational methods. How will we do this? What the world is doing is clustering, which was a crucial cornerstone in the structuring of our civilization in the past. It is a model that brings us together with universities and public institutions, and enables collaboration and synergy.”
Touching upon the many things that can be accomplished together in production, President Aydın emphasized the need to come together for higher quality production, joint research and development, and collaborations with universities. Aydın stated: "This is our 6th organization. We have clusters that have done this in 5 of them and written success stories. We have clusters working to produce rail vehicles, wind turbines, power plants, construction machinery, and domestic energy systems. We have accumulated knowledge and experience from these. This work requires sacrifice and effort. I believe that very beneficial results will come from this formation and success stories will be written."
“Clusters are Noah’s Ark in today’s century.” Stating that clustering is a matter of survival for SMEs in the future, Çankaya University Rector Prof. Dr. Ziya Burhanettin Güvenç said, “This is our biggest advantage. We know the organizational structures of large companies abroad. We believe that our SMEs cannot compete with them if they are not clustered. Clustering will protect us against the coming nanotechnology deluge. Technology is developing and changing so rapidly that we have no chance of keeping up on our own. Because this requires trained human resources, significant financial resources, and attention; and most importantly, knowledge.”
Güvenç, reminding that it is impossible to find these things in a single SME, said, “So what will we, as small businesses, do? We will try to do these things by coming together. The cluster model will protect us against the technological deluge. The cluster is Noah's Ark in today's century. Businesses that keep up with high technology are not affected by the crisis. If we want to be in the top 10 in 2023, we need to overtake the 6 countries ahead of us. We can achieve this by working harder and adopting more technology.”
During the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nezahat Boz, Head of the Rubber and Plastics Department at Gazi University OSTİM Vocational School; Murat Ünal, General Coordinator of Çevtaş; Gülnaz Karaosmanoğlu, General Secretary of the OSTİM Foundation; Akman Karakülah, Chairman of the Board of Babacan Rubber; and Yusuf Korkmaz, Chairman of the Board of Özdekan Rubber Industry, each gave presentations and shared developments in the sector.
Following the speeches, the Declaration of Intent and the Articles of Incorporation were signed, and elections were held for the First Founding Board of Directors.
OSTİM Rubber Technologies Cluster Board of Directors
Mustafa Korkmaz - Özdekan Rubber Industry
Akman Karakülah - Babacan Rubber
Adem Gökçek - Gökçek Rubber
Turan Değirmenci - Gülhan Rubber
Emin İpek - Emin İpek Rubber
Adife Aykaç - Naturel Rubber
Erol Karakülah - Ada Rubber
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