EFG’s R&D Vision with Ramazan Karaaslan

Ramazan Karaaslan, R&D and Design Manager at EFG Elektrik, spoke about his nearly nine-year journey at EFG, the pride he feels seeing the products in the field, the responsibilities that come with the title of R&D Center, and the 2025 vision. “I now see this place as my own company,” Karaaslan said, emphasizing both his commitment and the central role of R&D within the company.

EFG Electric R&D Design Manager Ramazan Karaaslan noted that, as he recounted his nine-year journey at the company, he felt not merely like an EFG employee, but almost like an owner. “I now view this place as my own company,” said Karaaslan, noting that the years he has spent at EFG have enriched him both professionally and personally.

Explaining that his career journey began in Hendek, Sakarya, and that he first learned about EFG Elektrik while considering a position in Diyarbakır, Karaaslan said, “I researched whether it was the right place that could provide me with both knowledge and experience. Once I was convinced it was the right fit, I joined EFG in 2016,” he said. He noted that while he has worked in various departments of the company since then, approximately 90 percent of his tenure has been spent in R&D processes.

“WE’VE BEEN WITNESSES TO THE COMPANY’S GROWTH—I’VE EVEN OPERATED A BACKHOE”

Karaaslan emphasized that they’ve personally witnessed EFG’s growth journey over the years, stating, “When the company was first founded, it occupied an area of less than 10,000 square meters; today, we’re in a facility exceeding 30,000 square meters. “During the construction of the new factory, we set aside our R&D identity and even got involved in the construction process. We offered suggestions regarding our workspaces, and out of curiosity, I even got to operate an excavator,” he said. He noted that for him, this process was not merely the construction of a building, but also a period during which his commitment to the company grew stronger.

SEEING OUR PRODUCTS ON STREETS AND SIDEWALKS MAKES US PROUD

Describing R&D as “the heart of the business,” Karaaslan emphasized that every product that emerges is the result of collective effort. “Seeing the products we’ve created at the beginning of a street or on the edge of a neighborhood gives us an indescribable sense of pride. Being able to say, ‘I was part of this project at this stage,’ is a very special feeling,” said Karaaslan, adding that working in R&D brings him great joy.
“LOCALIZATION AND NATIONALIZATION ARE CRITICAL FOR US”

Describing EFG Elektrik’s 2025 R&D vision, Karaaslan noted that the key objectives are to enhance competitiveness, continue developing new products, and accelerate digitalization. “R&D is an indispensable component for companies to compete both in the domestic market and globally. Localization and nationalization are very critical for us,” he said.

Highlighting that the primary goal of R&D is to reduce dependence on foreign sources, Karaaslan said, “When you cannot produce a product’s components or raw materials, you become dependent on foreign sources. The consequences of this can be severe in the event of potential political or economic tensions. Therefore, the concept of ‘domestic and national’ is not merely a matter of foreign exchange outflow,” he said.

R&D CENTER DESIGNATION

Karaaslan, recalling that EFG officially received the R&D Center designation as of April 2025, said, “The process with the Ministry of Industry was quite rigorous. We had to regularly upload our projects to the system, have them monitored by reviewers, and document every stage. This documentation burden was heavy, but as a team, we turned it into an advantage,” he said.

He also added that being the only R&D center in Diyarbakır specializing in high-voltage switching components is a great source of pride for them.

UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COLLABORATION: “A BEE DOESN’T MAKE HONEY FROM A SINGLE FLOWER”

Emphasizing that they place special importance on university-industry collaborations, Karaaslan said that the academic advisory work they conduct with Harran University makes a significant contribution to their R&D projects. “We have very valuable professors from the mechanical and electrical engineering departments who visit us once a week. They support us in many areas, from the theoretical calculations of the projects to literature reviews. We know a lot about the practical aspects of R&D, but their expertise in the academic realm gives us great strength,” he said.

Karaaslan described this collaboration using the metaphor of a bee, stating, “A bee doesn’t make honey from a single flower. Similarly, if we don’t draw from diverse sources of knowledge, we cannot produce strong results.”

A CULTURE OF IDEAS, DISCUSSION, CRITICISM, AND REWARD MECHANISMS IN R&D

Explaining the R&D team’s culture of innovation and how ideas mature, Karaaslan said, “When we create a design, we always expect criticism from our colleagues. They ask about the technical pros and cons, and as the person who created the design, I have to refute those points. “This allows us to catch any potential oversights in the product very early on,” he said.

Noting that projects are discussed in detail during weekly meetings, Karaaslan stated that a reward system is in place for approved project ideas, which helps boost team motivation.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED WHEN HIRING A NEW ENGINEER FOR R&D?

Explaining the process a new engineer joins the R&D team, Karaaslan said, “First, technical qualifications are evaluated; then, the engineer gets to know the factory and the machinery. Once they feel comfortable, they join the project, conduct literature reviews, examine new technologies, and adapt to the project through weekly meetings,” he said.

He added that, when necessary, plans for machinery investments or additional staff are also discussed during these meetings.

“I’M SO GLAD TO BE IN R&D”

Karaaslan concluded his remarks by emphasizing his personal commitment to R&D: “I’m so glad to be in R&D; I’m so glad I have an R&D spirit. Thanks to the opportunities EFG Elektrik provides me and my teammates, we are constantly producing and constantly learning,” he said.

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