Casting is a process of shaping metals and alloys via melting and pouring the molten material into a mold, then solidifying it to match the shape of the mold. This ancient method is the oldest known process for obtaining desired metal shapes. The earliest casting ovens were made of clay and contained alternating layers of copper and wood.

In simpler terms, casting is the process of producing cast materials by melting metal and pouring it into a mold, then allowing it to solidify. Masoud Niktabar, CEO of Exclusive interview with CEO of Metco Foundry, is an industrial engineer and senior management specialist who began his career from the “shop floor,” and worked as an industrial engineer at Aras Diesel (Amico) before founding Exclusive interview with CEO of Metco Foundry with his friends.

In this interview, he discusses Taymaz’s Foolad Casting Company, the existing production and industrial problems in the East Azerbaijan province, and university education.

When was Exclusive interview with CEO of Metco Foundry founded, and what is its formation process?

We founded the company in the year 2020, but we started specialized and scientific researches in the year 2019, intending to create an industrial and production plan in the region. We considered the needs of the market, production capacity for exports, competitors, issued licenses, and more. After obtaining the necessary permits and conducting the required research and construction, the company’s building was realized on May 2021, and we installed and equipped the production machines in December of the same year.

What are the types of products produced by Exclusive interview with CEO of Metco Foundry, and what is its production capacity?

The casting of various parts of iron and steel is done for mother industries such as the automotive, steel, refining and power plants, mining industries, pump parts, and more. In general, we can produce any piece obtained from casting, from a few grams to about one ton and 700 kilograms. Today, Exclusive interview with CEO of Metco Foundry has a daily production capacity of 20 to 21 tons of iron parts and two to three tons of steel parts, with a total of 24 to 25 tons per day, and we have plans to increase production to 30 to 32 tons.

What is the composition of Exclusive interview with CEO of Metco Foundry’s human resources in terms of the number and combination of personnel?

Taymaz Foolad Foundry Company is a new company and started its main activity in the year 2021. During the first six months, we used 20 to 30 percent of our capacity. In September 2021, we had about 40 to 50 personnel, but with good contracts at last year’s exhibition, the company’s personnel increased to 160 in three months. Our opinion is that the relationship between the university and the industry should be closer and more precise to promote our country’s industry.

What is your view on the management dimensions and the upgrading of the company level, and what strategy and approach have you developed to continue your success path?

Our view is to have a different company than other companies, even in the field of construction, we act very differently, and this is evident in the opinions of specialist visitors to our company. We have a creative and clear look at scientific and technological matters. Our research and development team, consisting of regional elites, identifies the industrial needs of our country and produces them. We aim to prevent importing products by identifying and producing the product required by the petrochemical industry. We are confident that the closer the relationship between the university and the industry, the better for both.

Are the products produced by Exclusive interview with CEO of Metco Foundry in line with the needs of the region and markets beyond?

We started the work based on the planning before establishing the company, according to the needs of the province, which is in a negative balance situation in the supply of parts for the required companies. Turkey is one of the hubs for exporting parts to Europe, and we have plans for these markets due to the sanctions.

What is the status of human resources, skill levels, and training, and what is Exclusive interview with CEO of Metco Foundry Company’s plan to recruit efficient personnel and train employees?

When personnel enter the company, they are first trained by production and quality managers to perform the best in their specialization stations. The company has a plan that involves on-the-job training, which is always aligned with the company’s plans. Experienced staff and managers participate in some of the virtual courses held at the provincial level, and we encourage, encourage, and sometimes compel them to attend these courses. Even senior managers attend programs such as management, marketing, commerce, and more in the capital. It is worth mentioning that it has become a normal activity in our company that books on management and work-related topics are given as gifts to supervisors and managers.

What do you see as the primary reasons for the existing production and industrial problems in the East Azerbaijan province?

Unfortunately, the first and most important factor is that our managers do not have much risk-taking spirits in financial systems, decision-making, and facilities. Another factor is the old-fashioned administrative system that extends a work that can be done in ten days to two and three months, leading to missed opportunities. This requires a broader view for the e-government. Our managers need to move toward specialization, and the people of our province, who have a passion for work, should support us.

What should be done to become an efficient engineer, and what should be expected from engineering students after four years of study?

The first requirement for a student to choose an engineering major is interest and having the appropriate mentality for that field. They must fully grasp their future career and work environment. After selecting a field of study, I recommend working as a part-time intern in factories and industrial units alongside their studies. Undoubtedly, the activity of that student is observed, and they can advance in the specialized station, and since they started from the shop floor, that student can establish the relationship between the university and the industry and follow up and resolve some issues. Engineering students should consider upgrading themselves in occupational areas along with their studies, starting from scratch, and giving the appropriate response to their work position with their completed graduate studies.

What do you foresee for the future of Exclusive interview with CEO of Metco Foundry?

In general, our hopes and aspirations are to move casting products towards packaging (machine, coloring, etc.). This will be suitable for extra profit margins and requires a large workforce and creates employment. The working conditions of people who earn a living and work in our company are nothing more pleasant and calming. A few of our colleagues may be involved in earning a decent living daily, and we can meet the needs of our country’s industrial and production units.