Interview - Boskay Metal

Boskay Metal’s Sabri Bostancıoğlu: “A solution-oriented approach, easy access, flexibility and professionalism are what we look for in our choice of port”

We interviewed Sabri Bostancıoğlu, Board Member and Commercial Manager of Boskay Metal, which exports to more than 90 countries.

Can you tell us a little about your company?

Founded as a reinforcing bar manufacturer in 1990, our company has an extensive product range today. Our two factories in Karabük, which are built on a land of 32,000 m2, have reached an annual production capacity of 350,000 tons of commercial profiles. We are constantly increasing our product offerings to attract more countries as today’s market conditions require. We especially focused on exports after 2013. The number of our export markets has exceeded 90 as of 2018.

The past year was a very difficult one for our sector as a whole. The US-led trade war and other countries’ taking the same route have taken its heavy toll on us. Despite increased protectionist measures and additional taxes imposed by our export markets, we managed to increase our export by 32%, so I can say that we had a positive year. 

In your opinion, what is the most important feature a port should possess?

A solution-oriented approach, precision and expertise in loading operations, easy access, flexibility and professionalism are what we look for in our choice of port. 

What services do you receive from DP World Yarımca?

Stuffing and VGM. 

Why did you choose DP World Yarımca?

We prefer you because we think your terminal is convenient and well-organized, stuffing operations are systematic and you stand behind your work. Another important reason why we have chosen to work with you is our agent’s comment that you are easier to communicate with and better at providing solutions   

What other means of transport do you use for your products (railway, trucks, etc.)?

More than 90% of our shipments are carried out by sea while we resort to trucks when shipping to neighbouring countries. We do combined shipment of different products which allows us to ship faster. Though not as much, we also use railway transport for landlocked countries which are not close to the port.      

Which countries do you mostly trade with?

Given our product range, we mostly sell to emerging and undeveloped countries with North Africa and South America as our major markets. We are also able to sell to many places from Australia, Thailand and Somalia to Malaysia through container shipment.

Sales quantities today are not as high as they used to be, so container shipping has given us the upper hand in terms of sales and attracting a diversified number of countries. We are able to work with customers who order as little as 2 containers, which helped us increase our trade and business volume.