ELKO EP on the Silk Road. Also thanks to the KNX tutor

He is also the man responsible for the Inspinia Technology business. And now he has also added business development of the Czech brands ELKO EP and iNELS in the region of Turkey, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. And since he recently completed a 14-day internship in Holešov, it was a great reason to interview him.

You recently returned from the Czech Republic. Specifically, from Holešov, where you spent a fortnight observing what was going on at ELKO EP. You toured development, production, laboratories, certification rooms. What are your impressions?

Incredible. Just being from Istanbul, which is always lively, noisy, full of people. People get up late and get off work late. Everything is hectic. Suddenly I’m in a different world. In a small town where people go to work at six o’clock, head home in the early afternoon, and in the evening the town centre is empty. It really is a different world for a Turk, and for a Turk who works as a businessman.

And what do you think of ELKO EP’s facilities?

It is, on the other hand, absolutely world-class. It can be compared with the best in the world. Automated and extremely flexible production, many expensive machines and people who are not only professionals but also heartthrobs.

Let’s get to your new role. What specifically will you be providing for ELKO EP?

I will be in charge of developing the company’s activities in Turkey and also in countries like Azerbaijan or Turkmenistan, which are close to Turkey in terms of mentality or culture. It will not be a full-time job, I will continue to work primarily in the partner Inspinia Technology, but on my business trips I will look for spaces to introduce ELKO EP or iNELS wherever it makes sense.

What’s the mood for business in Turkey right now, actually. From snippets of the Czech media, one would get the feeling that the Turkish economy is not experiencing the best of times. High inflation, skyrocketing prices, uncertainty. Is this really the case?

The economic turmoil has indeed been palpable, and uncertainty reigns above all in the market. That is also why some minds are looking abroad for space for their entrepreneurial activities. But I have a feeling that now the tide is turning and things are looking a lot more optimistic.

I reckon there will also be a big difference between Istanbul and the rest of the country…

Definitely, Turkey is a really big country compared to the Czech Republic, with huge differences between rural and urban areas, between the west and the east. But there is also incredible potential for growth. Moreover, not everyone ever loses out in a crisis; there are many entrepreneurs who grow in difficult times, invest in new projects. Particularly in Istanbul, Ankara and of course on the entire south coast – which for example shows in the new opportunities for Inspinia Technology or ELKO EP.

What are the key products that are of interest to you locally?

It’s a combination of different solutions. We have the right tools for highly rated restaurants, hotels, apartment buildings. In addition, we don’t just bring technology, but also efficiency and savings along with it, which is what many owners hear about in uncertain times. If only because the price of electricity has skyrocketed dramatically in recent months. HRESK, a retrofit solution that can turn old hotels into trendy places in a matter of days and without complicated drilling, can also hold great promise. And then there’s the whole area of automation, where smart homes, hotels or offices simply save significant resources without needing constant human control.

In your profile, I was intrigued by the KNX tutor position. What does that actually mean?

KNX brings together engineers who really understand technology solutions. They don’t skim the surface, but can explain the entire system of how electricity, innovation or technology works. The whole KNX is based on the idea that if someone wants to sell home automation, but also perhaps a mobile phone, you have to learn how it works and get the relevant qualifications for the sector. That’s why KNX has graded its training and certifications into tiers. Tutor is the highest of these. I am not only a partner, but I have the right to train partners and explain trends and new developments to them.

What are the chances that Czech products and solutions will succeed in Turkey, but also in other “your” countries?

Turkey is the key for me, because in other countries they follow a lot what is happening in our country. At the core, we are almost the same culture – socially and religiously. And if we can succeed in Turkey and get strong references there (and I don’t see any reason why we can’t with the proven quality of our solutions), we will have open doors in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan. After all, business has been flowing here along the Silk Road for years.

Do Czech products have a special image on the Turkish market, or is it important that they are Made in Europe?

Inspinia will open doors for us because we have a big name and proven experience in the Turkish market for years. But it is already Made in Europe thanks to our connection to ELKO EP. But to your question, we rather respect European products. We trust them and for us the Czech Republic is part of this European level.