Growing rapidly by combining its 44 years of knowledge with new technologies, EPC Enerji offers special solutions for several industries. EPC Enerji, which is taking firm steps in line with its goal of becoming a global power electronics company, also attaches great importance to R&D activities and spends 10 percent of its budget on studies in this field. The company also exports its rectifiers, inverters, STSs and UPSs it manufactured to about 40 countries. We talked about the company’s activities with Ertugrul Sozmen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EPC Energy and Power Conversion Systems, who stated that they manufacture in accordance with the customers’ wishes.
Would you like to tell us a little about yourself?
In October 1974, while studying at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at ITU, I started working in the sector with “calculator repairing”. Our workplace was a 30 m2 room in a commercial inn in Sirkeci. While we were engaged in calculator repairing activities, we saw that the power outage was too frequent in those years, and recognized the need for UPSs that will maintain communication during correspondence with foreign companies via telex. We first developed systems with UPS 150VA transistor power and a simple thyristor battery magazine. Customer demands began to increase rapidly. For instance, the Maritime Administration had demanded a SMPS power supply for its radios, and we delivered it. As the business grew rapidly, we moved to another location of 200-250 m2 on the 6th floor in Tunel. In 1977, we have established EKA A.S. EKA A.S. focused on activities in the field of power and industrial electronics. In 1979, we received a $2M order from a foreign company. This order was for a 40 kva high-frequency inverters. There was no other company in Türkiye that could do this job then. We manufactured and delivered the first domestic 3-phase UPS to Anadolu Sigorta in 1980. In short, we were the only domestic player in the sector in the 1980s. Then we started a cooperation with Emerson. We imported the first home PC, and also manufactured the 400Hz frequency converter for the radars used by Turkish air forces. We also manufactured the first IGBT rectifier bidirectional converter in the early 1990s. At that time, there were 1 or 2 companies in the UPS sector that did this. In 2005, we left EKA and founded EPC Energy.
Can you give information about EPC Energy and Power Conversion Systems?
When establishing EPC Energy, we deliberately gave a foreign name for the company. Because, we knew that our main goal was to expand abroad and export our products. Also, we have always aimed to manufacture products for the big players in the sector. Based on my experience at EKA, I knew that there was a specific market for specific products such as industrial-type UPSs and rectifiers, and that the added value was high. Our objective was to manufacture these products in the best way and launch them on the market. Such products require a sound know-how, high quality and a perfect service concept. The products developed with DSP by my R&D partner, Ozan, as well as the modular structure designed to manufacture these products are among the most important features that distinguish EPC from its competitors. Also, the project traceability system he created and the fact that all products are photographed and recorded provide an important advantage. Since the day it was established, EPC Energy has never compromised on quality, service concept and customer satisfaction. We considered the customers as our “bosses” under all circumstances. By attaching great importance to company and product certificates, we have further strengthened the trust of our customers to us. The concept of customer satisfaction has been internalized by all employees of the company.
”As EPC, we export to more than 40 countries.”
Which sectors do you produce products and solutions for?
EPC Energy mainly manufactures products for sectors that require high quality and long-lasting spare parts supply (like 25-30 years), required by electrical energy production facilities, distribution stations, and the oil and gas sector. Each product may have different features, and therefore we employ engineers with the necessary knowledge and experience to “read and interpret” the project in hand correctly. Simply put, EPC Energy is a special designer in the field of power electronics. “The most important feature of the products manufactured by EPC is the use of 6-7 main boards in all products.” This is the most important aspect that distinguishes us from other companies operating in the field of power electronics. The products we manufacture must be “premium” in terms of both their design and materials, since the sectors we work in and serve for do not tolerate mistakes. In line with this philosophy, we have undertaken the sales and service activities for UPSs manufactured by ABB Elektrik, the manufacturer of the world’s first modular UPS and a major player in the energy sector. While we are mainly selling our products in Türkiye, we also offer sales and service services in case of a demand from abroad.
Do you export your products? Which countries do you export your products the most? Are there any specific markets that you target?
As EPC, we export to more than 40 countries. We mainly export rectifiers, inverters, STSs and UPSs. Customer requests are a decisive factor at this point.
What differentiates EPC Energy and Power Conversion Systems from its competitors in both national and international area?
The most important feature of the products manufactured by EPC is the use of 6-7 motherboards in all products. We can also develop new products by using additional one or two boards for different products. This offers great convenience and advantage to both us and the customer. When the customer buys several kinds of products, the stock and maintenance costs are reduced by buying a set of common boards. When we explain the advantages of common boards to our customers in case of an emergency, we take priority in their preferences. Our sound know-how, quick return to the customer, answering the questions they ask correctly and offering perfect services are also some of the factors we are preferred. When you want to buy the products of the same quality as our products from abroad, you have to pay at least 2 or even 5 times more.
What can you say about your new investments?
We planned to make an investment in the new year to become a transformer manufacturing and design center. In addition to these investments, we are also working on new R&D projects.
What are the expectations of EPC Energy and Power Conversion Systems and the sector in general for 2020?
Although 2020 seems to be a challenging year, we will do our best to achieve our goals. During this period, we focused on further expanding our global customer network. We will enter new markets.
What would you like to say about your partnership with DMY?
Since the main field of operation of DMY is the electronics sector, this partnership is a correct and productive cooperation for us. I can say that it is a good example of the expression “strength arises from unity” for our cooperation. Being a member of this family will add strength to our strength.
“The most important feature of the products manufactured by EPC is the use of 6-7 motherboards in all products.”
Do you carry out R&D activities?
In fact, every product that EPC manufactures is the result of R&D activities. Officially, we have completed 2 Tubitak projects so far. We are also planning to carry out a new Tubitak project next year. Once we have completed the design center project, these activities will become more apparent.
What kind of support do you offer to your customers? Do your services continue after the sale?
Another major aspect that EPC attaches at least as much importance to as quality is service. Especially in our sector, service and maintenance service is of the essence. Imagine that a power plant in the energy sector stops working for 1-2 hours because of your products. When you calculate the cost of this loss of business, the magnitude of the loss peaks. Therefore, we have to provide an uninterrupted (7-24) and optimum service. Our main requirement when giving dealership abroad is to be committed to the principle of providing accurate and high-quality services and having the ability for this. If you buy a product that cannot be provided with accurate and high-quality service, it means you are wasting your money. Therefore, our maintenance and service offerings coincide with the quality of our products.
