Offering solutions that meet the specific needs of its customers with its expertise in high-quality grease production, Vario Grease proudly celebrates its 5th anniversary. The company, recognized as a reliable player in the sector through strong references and collaborations with global companies, is rapidly advancing in its corporate development, bolstered by its NLGI and ELGI memberships.
Since its inception, Vario Grease has significantly increased its production capacity and export volume. The company stands out with its state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure and dedicated R&D efforts. Having successfully navigated various stress tests through team spirit, Vario Grease is confidently progressing towards its strategic goals.
Looking ahead to 2025, Vario Grease will participate in three major trade fairs, aiming to strengthen and expand its connections in both domestic and international markets by seizing new business opportunities. We spoke with General Manager Tayfun Yılmaz about the company’s achievements over the past five years and its future aspirations.
Can you provide detailed information about Vario Grease?
Vario Grease specializes in producing high-quality greases and developing custom formulations, particularly for industrial applications. We design greases tailored to specific needs, offering bespoke solutions for each customer. Our expertise lies in creating greases that withstand harsh working conditions, high temperature, pressure, and water exposure. Additionally, we develop hygienic and environmentally friendly products suitable for the food industry. At Vario Grease, we not only provide quality products but also strive to exceed industry standards through continuous R&D efforts.
We also offer flexible solutions for contract manufacturing, catering to a wide range of special needs and demands. This enables us to provide the ideal grease solution for each customer promptly and with high quality. Vario Grease is renowned for its strong industry references and collaborations with major brands. Our contract manufacturing agreements with these brands highlight not only our commitment to sustainable quality but also our reliability. We collaborate with global leaders in the industrial and automotive sectors, showcasing our technical expertise, flexibility, and ability to deliver on time.
Collaborating with major brands enhances our ability to produce according to the highest standards. Each project is executed with customized solutions that fully meet customer needs. We believe our strong market position significantly contributes to being the preferred choice of leading brands. Our extensive experience in contract manufacturing, rigorous quality control processes, and innovative approach enable us to maintain long-term, successful partnerships.
Does Vario Grease have any corporate references in its field of activity?
As Vario Grease, we are proud members of the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) and the European Lubricating Grease Institute (ELGI). These memberships are significant references that enhance our company’s international presence and standing in the sector. Our affiliations with NLGI and ELGI provide us with a valuable platform to adhere to the superior quality standards in the oil and grease industry and to develop innovative solutions. These institutions promote knowledge sharing among industry professionals worldwide and set industry trends. Our engagement with these communities boosts our competitive edge in the international market and helps us broaden our vision. This enables us to stay abreast of global developments and continuously improve our products and services.
Vario Grease is celebrating its 5th anniversary. How would you evaluate the progress and achievements you have made in 5 years?
We are proud to be celebrating the fifth anniversary of our establishment. These five years have been filled with both challenges and significant opportunities for our company. We have successfully navigated these challenges and strengthened our position in the sector. During this period, we faced global and local challenges such as pandemics, earthquakes, and economic crises. However, we viewed each challenge as a turning point that tested and ultimately reinforced our company’s resilience and flexibility.
During the pandemic, which coincided with our establishment, we swiftly adapted our business operations to the changing environment, building a robust infrastructure. The earthquake disaster in the region where we operate deeply affected us socially, psychologically, and economically, just as it did everyone living and working here. Despite this, we managed to recover quickly and maintain our customer-focused approach. Our rapid crisis management actions and the solidarity within our company enabled us to overcome this major crisis with minimal damage.
The global economic crisis following the pandemic had a particularly impact on our country. During these challenging times, we continued to grow by implementing efficiency-enhancing strategies and cost-management measures. Each period of difficulty reinforced our strong position in the sector through the innovation and quality standards we maintained. Every challenge also presented an opportunity, allowing us to further strengthen our company’s vision, mission, and values. As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, we are filled with confidence for the future. Inspired by our achievements, we aim to continue our growth both within the sector and in the local market.
What role did teamwork play in this 5-year success story? Do you have a teammate who helped you manage the challenges you faced and contributed to the successes you achieved?
Teamwork has been integral to our success over the past five years. I received tremendous support from my colleagues while establishing this company. Each employee has played a significant role in our journey, and I owe a great deal to all of them. Having said that, my greatest support has come from our Factory Manager, Efsun Acar. Efsun is not only an experienced manager but also someone who wholeheartedly embraces our company’s culture and values, and she works tirelessly to advance these values every day.
Efsun Acar’s expertise in every stage of the production process and her proficiency in human resources have been pivotal to our company’s growth. Her calm and solution-oriented approach has helped us navigate every challenge we faced.
What is your production capacity? Do you have any plans to increase this capacity?
Over the past five years, we have made significant strides in growth and development. Notably, we have quadrupled our production capacity from 1,500 to 6,000 tons per year. This increase has allowed us to enhance our production efficiency and deliver high-quality products to a larger customer base. In addition to boosting capacity, we have significantly upgraded our laboratory infrastructure. We have invested in state-of-the-art devices and testing equipment to support our R&D efforts and continuously improve product quality. The innovative work in our laboratories has enabled us to develop more precise and performance-oriented grease solutions tailored to our customers’ specific needs.
These enhancements in capacity and laboratory infrastructure have strengthened our competitive edge in the sector, allowing us to provide faster and higher-quality service to our customers. Today, we take pride in the advancements we have achieved in both our internal operations and the services we offer. Looking ahead, we aim to further bolster our technological infrastructure and solidify our leadership in the industry.
Could you tell us about your laboratory and R&D studies for new product or service development?
Over the past five years, our R&D efforts have been pivotal in driving our company’s growth and solidifying our position in the industry. We have consistently invested in R&D to develop innovative products and services, better meet customer needs, and enhance our competitive edge. This strategy has enabled us to both refine our existing products and design entirely new ones to address diverse requirements.
Our research into the special formulations of our grease products has provided effective solutions to the challenges faced by our customers, particularly in the industrial sector. By enhancing our laboratory infrastructure, our R&D team can now conduct faster and more precise tests, achieving higher accuracy rates in our product development processes. These investments not only improve our product quality but also support our sustainability goals.
Customer feedback is integral to our new product development. We tailor our products based on their demands and expectations, offering the most suitable solutions to meet their needs. Additionally, we anticipate future market needs by monitoring industry trends and technological advancements, guiding our R&D projects accordingly. We remain committed to investing in R&D activities and expanding our innovative product portfolio in the coming years.
Can you provide information about Vario Grease’s export strategy?
We have significantly enhanced our export performance, with 60% of our production now being exported. This achievement is the result of long-term efforts and the trust we have built in international markets. Our competitive strength in global markets not only boosts our company’s revenue but also contributes to the national economy. The rise in our brand awareness internationally, coupled with the experience and successes we have gained abroad, has also bolstered our local reputation. In addition to our export achievements, we have made substantial progress in adhering to international standards, quality management, and innovation. Looking ahead, we plan to participate in three major trade fairs in 2025, which will further strengthen our business connections both domestically and internationally.
Are there any advantages and disadvantages of being located in Osmaniye?
Operating outside major industrial zones like Istanbul and Kocaeli presents certain challenges. These cities offer significant advantages in logistics, supply, and labor due to their status as Turkey’s industrial hubs. Consequently, being located outside Istanbul, Kocaeli, or even Izmir can sometimes pose difficulties in transportation and supply chain management. Additionally, with many major companies in our sector based in these regions, we may find ourselves distanced from key industrial networks and business partnerships. This can limit our access to a broader network of local suppliers and partners. To mitigate these disadvantages, we have developed various strategies, such as establishing strong business partnerships to optimize our logistics and supply chain processes and selecting strategic points along various transportation routes to enhance efficiency.
However, operating outside Istanbul and Kocaeli also offers distinct advantages. Cost-wise, we benefit from lower rent and labor expenses compared to these high-cost cities, allowing us to offer quality products at more competitive prices. Moreover, the local workforce in Osmaniye is highly qualified and motivated, which accelerates our production processes and enhances product quality. Through strategic planning and efficiency-enhancing measures, we have minimized the disadvantages of being based in Osmaniye. As a result, we have created a strong competitive advantage in both local and international markets.
