Turkish newcomer in global dyes

Burboya (Bursa Boya Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret AS) specialise in acid and direct dyes. About 30% of business is in the leather and fur sectors, with textiles and papers taking the remainder. Operating from the city of Bursa since 1983, the firm have made a strategic move to the leather heartland of Istanbul, in Tuzla. As an articulate and perky newcomer to the sector, they recently outlined some of their plans to Leather International. US-educated managing director, K Burak Duraner, moved to fill deficiencies in the Turkish dyestuff business and a successful trial of acid black for a well-known accessories exporter brought increased business. Other firms wanted the same quality, individual service and swift turnaround time. Burboya now offer 15 different shades of black. 'We work with clients on an individual basis to provide technical solutions for their unique problems', Duraner explained. 'We do not sell one product or aim for a one-off sales pitch. Burboya have an exemplary laboratory employing 18 chemical engineers. An impressive machine park includes a reactor plant and ice-producing facilities to meet the precision demands of clients. One percent of turnover goes on R&D. Annual turnover is about $14 or $15 million and 10% of production is exported. They also sell raw chemical ingredients to formulators. They are currently being audited for ISO-9001: 2000 quality management standard and recently acquired the prestigious RWTUV certificate, a global label of environmental commitment. Burboya focuses on being a marketing firm and a global brand in colours and dyes, not just a chemical dye producer. 'We work with fashion companies and must be on the cutting edge of innovation, colour sense and critical supply chain requirements', leather expert, Hayriye Uyanik, said. Benchmarking gives them a powerful competitive tool. They are able to constantly monitor their efficiency quotient against competitors and factor it into corporate planning. The concept is implemented by just one or two Turkish conglomerates and virtually ignored by all others. Burboya hold 25% of the domestic market in acid and direct dyestuffs but are aiming for 40% by the end of 2003. They are capitalising on the growing demand for fur in branding fashion colours. They acknowledge forerunners in their field but are undeterred from aiming at being number one in the global market.