New key account in Turkey (E-journal 1/2010)

BASF Coatings signs multi-year deal with Universal Metal in Gebze.

Since July 2009 BASF has been Universal Metal’s main supplier of coil coatings, providing coating materials for both the existing and the new paintline, which will be started up soon. Founded in 1997, Universal Metal is now the leading manufacturer of coated metal bands in Turkey.

The company plans to produce more than 100,000 metric tons of precoated metal per year for the construction, facade and roof segments as well as the consumer and automobile industries. The range of products BASF supplies to Universal Metal comprises COILTEC^® primers, POLYCERAM^® and FLUOROCERAM^® topcoats and COILBACK^® backcoat.

»BASF is not just a supplier for us, but rather a partner.« Osman Yazici owner of Universal Metal

“BASF is not just a supplier for us, but rather a partner who supports us in the areas of product development, marketing and service,” says company owner Osman Yazici. “The partnership is evolving in a very promising manner.”

The BASF representatives Uwe Pelchen, Coil Coatings Sales Europe, and Gianfranco Corvi, Sales Manager Italy, were satisfied after the agreement had been signed. “Now the real work begins, and the entire team in Burago is looking forward to it,” Corvi said. For BASF in Italy, this is the first new large-scale order it has secured since business has become so tough due to the economic crisis. Pelchen explained, “Managing to get an agreement like this one in such difficult times is a fantastic team achievement. We offer more than the right price and product. For our customer Universal Metal, we put together a package of service, quality and competitive costs.”

The next visit to Universal Metal was all about service, and discussions centered around such issues as process optimization, workflow and quality enhancements and marketing ideas. Universal Metal’s aim is to spread the word about the new partnership with BASF and its product array, to more firmly anchor its Coatcoil brand in the marketplace.

www.universalmetal.com.tr