For more than a decade, Fikret Koc has represented ABP in Türkiye. His professional journey spans 36 years in the foundry industry.
For Fikret Koc, the foundry industry has been part of his life for decades. His first experiences date back to his school days, when he spent his summer holidays working in the industry. Today, as part of INTEK, ABP’s sales and service partner in Türkiye, he combines extensive technical knowledge with something that has remained central throughout his career: staying close to customers and continuing to learn from them.
For Fikret Koc, the foundry industry has been part of his life for decades. His first experiences date back to his school days, when he spent his summer holidays working in the industry. Today, as part of INTEK, ABP’s sales and service partner in Türkiye, he combines extensive technical knowledge with something that has remained central throughout his career: staying close to customers and continuing to learn from them.
His path into the industry began through his elder brother, one of Türkiye’s respected pattern makers during the 1980s and 1990s. Working in his brother’s workshop gave Fikret early hands-on experience in pattern making, manufacturing and foundry processes. After studying Mechanical Engineering, he continued in the family company, İdeal Model, designing and manufacturing patterns, molds and later also foundry equipment and complete systems.
A major turning point came in 2000, when he joined Turkish induction furnace manufacturer EGES Induction Furnace. What fascinated him about induction technology was its multidisciplinary nature: mechanical engineering, electronics, cooling systems, hydraulics, ceramics and control technology all come together in one system.
Over the years, Fikret Koc took on responsibilities in project management, service, commissioning, international sales and business development. During his final four years at EGES, he served as Deputy General Manager.
Local expertise meets international technology
The cooperation with ABP began in mid-2014 and has continued ever since. INTEK acts as ABP’s sales and service partner in Türkiye, combining ABP’s technological expertise with local market knowledge and direct customer support. “For our customers in Türkiye, one of our most important roles is to be their first and easily accessible point of contact,” Fikret Koc explains. This begins with the first discussions about a new project and continues through installation and commissioning to spare parts, service, maintenance and modernization. For Fikret, one principle is particularly important: “Our relationship does not end when the project is delivered.”
That approach fits the needs of the Turkish foundry industry. The market is strongly export-oriented and closely linked to European manufacturing, while companies are simultaneously facing pressure from energy, labour and raw-material costs. Energy efficiency, automation, digitalization and decarbonization are therefore becoming increasingly interconnected topics.
“Customers in Turkey expect ABP to be more than just a technology supplier,” says Fikret Koc. “They are looking for a reliable partner who understands their production challenges and can help them improve efficiency, productivity and competitiveness in a measurable way.” For him personally, the most rewarding moment comes when cooperation results in a visible improvement in the customer’s production.
“Bring me the contract”
One story from his years with ABP illustrates how important trust and customer proximity can be. At the end of 2017, discussions began with a major Turkish customer about an IGBT system for copper melting. In January 2018, the customer came to Dortmund for a technical meeting with the ABP team. After just 15 or 20 minutes and a few technical questions, the customer turned to Fikret Koc and said in Turkish: “Okay, bring me the contract. Let’s sign it.”
When Fikret Koc translated the sentence for his German colleagues, they initially laughed. They assumed he was joking. The meeting had barely started, and nobody had expected such a quick decision. Fikret Koc repeated his message: “Please prepare the contract immediately.”
There was only one problem: no contract had been prepared because nobody had anticipated that the customer would decide so quickly. After the necessary internal work, the document was produced – and the customer signed.
Even today, Fikret Koc remembers the surprised faces around the table. For him, however, the episode is about more than a fast sale. It shows what can happen when technical competence, trust and a deep understanding of the customer come together.
36 years – and still curious
Despite his extensive experience, Fikret Koc does not see his role simply as someone who brings knowledge to customers. “Whenever I meet with a foundry and its representatives, I feel that I learn much more from them than I am able to teach them.”
Every foundry is different, he says. Each develops its own processes, methods and practical solutions based on years of experience. Learning from these differences and taking useful ideas into future projects is still one of the things he enjoys most about his profession.
International travel, customer visits and trade fairs have also shaped him personally. Meeting people from different cultures has broadened his perspective and strengthened his belief that good business relationships ultimately depend on understanding people.
And there is another side to Fikret Koc’s life. Over the past several years, caring for animals has become increasingly important to him. Türkiye – and Istanbul in particular – is known for the cats and dogs that are part of everyday life in its streets. Fikret and his family not only have animals of their own, but also regularly feed and care for dozens of street cats. “It can sometimes be tiring and demanding, but at the same time, it is something that gives me a great deal of peace and satisfaction.”
