Discover how SMS Tork’s innovative strategies and efficient processes have fuelled its growth, doubled exports and strengthened its global market position, as the company expands its manufacturing facility.
By Melonie Dodaro, Valve World
SMS Tork, a leading Turkish manufacturer of valve and actuator solutions, has maintained its focus on growth and innovation despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and global economic uncertainties. The company has prioritised expanding its product range, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and strengthening its presence in both domestic and international markets.
In a recent interview with Valve World, Omer Kaya, General Manager of SMS Tork, shared valuable insights into the company’s recent developments and future plans. “In the last two years, since the pandemic, we have continued to grow and extend our business with current markets and expand into new markets,” Kaya stated.
Expanding product range and certifications
SMS Tork has actively expanded its product range, focusing on safety valves. The company has developed innovative on-off and proportional safety valves to meet the growing demand in the market. Kaya emphasised their strategic focus on product development, stating, “We see significant growth opportunities in the safety valve segment, and we are well-positioned to capitalise on these opportunities by leveraging our expertise and market-leading technologies.” SMS Tork has also successfully expanded its cryogenic valve portfolio to include sizes above two inches, enabling the company to cater to a wider range of applications and customer requirements in the cryogenic market.
The company has strategically diversified its control valve portfolio by introducing stainless steel valves, specifically targeting the chemical industry. Kaya explained, “We have identified significant growth potential in the chemical applications market, both domestically and internationally. Leveraging our extensive experience and expertise, we have developed high-performance stainless steel control valves that meet the demanding requirements of chemical processing plants.”
In addition to these developments, SMS Tork is expanding its product line in part-turn electric actuators. The company has successfully completed the development of 150 Nm and 200 Nm on-off and proportional types. “We are now working on a new project to increase the torque capacity to 300 Nm and 500 Nm in our electric actuator product group,” Kaya noted. “Our target
is to complete this expansion by next year, further enhancing our ability to meet diverse customer needs.”
SMS Tork’s commitment to expanding its product range has led to success in the iron and steel industry. “Due to exchange rate issues, Turkish iron and steel factories have made significant investments in recent years. We sell them control valves, safety valves and cryogenic valves. We focus on how we can fulfil the portfolio with the customer,” Kaya commented, highlighting the company’s customer-centric approach to product development.
Successful launch of multi-turn actuators
SMS Tork has achieved a notable milestone with the successful launch of its multi-turn actuators. Despite the challenges associated with the multi-turn market, the company remains committed to ensuring product quality through rigorous field testing in the domestic market.
“We have completed the development of these products and have successfully tested them in the domestic market, which shows great potential for this product range,” Kaya explained. “The products have been distributed to select potential customers and are currently undergoing field tests to validate their performance and gather valuable feedback.”
“We recognise that the multi-turn actuator market is highly competitive, so our initial focus is on ensuring the quality and reliability of our products in the field, starting with the domestic market,” Kaya stated. “Once we have established a strong track record and gathered positive feedback from our local customers, we plan to expand our offerings to international markets.”
SMS Tork’s multi-turn actuator design has garnered international recognition, winning prestigious design awards in Germany and the USA. The company received the IF Design Award from Germany and the Good Design Award from the USA. The IF Design Award, organised by the Hannover-based iF International Forum Design GmbH, is one of the world’s most prestigious design awards. SMS Tork’s multi-turn actuator design was evaluated by an international jury of 133 expert professionals, who assessed more than 11,000 applications from 56 countries. The jury scored the applications under the subheadings of “idea”, “form”, “function”, “differentiation” and “effect”, and SMS Tork’s design was awarded in the “Industry” category.
Kaya expressed his gratitude for these achievements, stating, “Congratulations to the entire SMS Tork team for winning these prestigious awards. It showcases our commitment to innovation and design excellence.”
Enhancing manufacturing efficiency and competitiveness
To maintain its competitive edge, SMS Tork has invested heavily in lean manufacturing technologies and digitalisation. These initiatives have allowed the company to streamline processes, improve productivity and enhance overall manufacturing efficiency.
To accommodate its growth and expand its production capabilities, SMS Tork is currently in the process of doubling its manufacturing facility. Kaya highlighted the significance of this expansion, stating, “We are currently undertaking a project to double our manufacturing facility to meet the increasing demand for our products and support our future growth plans. Once completed, this expansion will allow us to scale our operations, improve our production capacity, and deliver products to our customers more efficiently.”
In 2020, SMS Tork implemented cellular manufacturing, a key strategy that proved crucial to the company’s success. Kaya emphasized the importance of this decision, noting that without cellular to customer needs. He emphasised that in the post-pandemic world, the ability to react quickly has become a significant advantage, allowing SMS Tork to meet customer demands effectively and efficiently by manufacturing faster and delivering in shorter timeframes.
Impressive export growth and brand recognition
SMS Tork’s impressive export growth and brand recognition highlight the company’s strong market position and customer-centric approach. Kaya expressed his satisfaction with the company’s export performance, stating, “This is a notable achievement for us, especially considering the difficulties faced by businesses worldwide during this period. Our ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and meet customer needs has been a key factor in our success.”
SMS Tork’s growing brand presence in European and other foreign markets has also contributed to its success. The company has been actively participating in international exhibitions and trade
fairs, showcasing its innovative products and solutions to a global audience. Kaya explained, “Participating in exhibitions has been crucial in establishing our presence and reaching out to potential customers globally. These events, along with our marketing efforts, including digital marketing initiatives, provide an excellent platform for us to demonstrate our capabilities, engage with industry professionals from around the world, and effectively communicate our value proposition. By showcasing our innovative solutions, we have been able to attract new customers and expand our market reach.”
Diversifying into control and instrumentation solutions
SMS Tork has been expanding its product portfolio by developing flow switches and indicators, essential components in various industrial applications, as part of its venture into the control and instrumentation segment.
Kaya shared the company’s progress in this area, stating, “We have been working on developing flow switches and indicators. These products complement our existing valve and actuator portfolio and allow us to offer a more comprehensive solution to our customers. By expanding our product range, we aim to meet the evolving needs of the industries we serve.”
The Turkish government’s support for localisation and export promotion has been a significant factor in SMS Tork’s growth and expansion plans. Kaya acknowledged, “We are grateful for the government’s efforts in creating a conducive environment for businesses like ours to thrive. These initiatives have provided us with the necessary resources and support to invest in new product development and expand our market reach, enabling us to achieve our growth objectives and strengthen our position in both domestic and international markets.”
Looking ahead, SMS Tork has plans to further develop its control valve offerings. The company recognizes the importance of control valves in various industrial processes and aims to strengthen its position in this segment.
Kaya outlined the company’s plans, noting, “We have plans to develop our control valve portfolio further. Control valves play a critical role in regulating and optimising industrial processes, and we see significant growth potential in this area. By leveraging our expertise and experience in valve manufacturing, we aim to offer high-quality control valve solutions to our customers.”
Sustainability efforts and future plans
Recognising the importance of environmental responsibility, SMS Tork has been proactive in its sustainability efforts. The company has invested in solar panels and green energy to reduce its carbon footprint and minimise its environmental impact. Kaya emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainability, stating, “We believe that it is our responsibility to contribute to a greener future. By investing in solar panels and green energy, we are taking concrete steps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and minimise our environmental impact.”
Looking ahead, the company’s future plans involve focusing on electrical actuators and safety valves. Kaya believes that SMS Tork’s expertise and capabilities will allow them to offer innovative, high-quality solutions and capitalize on the increasing demand for these essential components in various industrial applications.
In addition to product development, SMS Tork has ambitious expansion plans in both domestic and international markets. Kaya said, “We will continue to invest in our domestic market, where we have a strong foothold, while also actively pursuing opportunities in international markets. By leveraging our brand reputation, quality products, and customer-centric approach, we are confident in our ability to expand our reach and establish ourselves as a global player in the valve and actuator industry.”
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