Could you tell us about your company and your own background?
As Gökhan Yıldız, General Manager of GNC Makina, we operate in the field of machine tools and CNC technologies. For many years, we have been providing high-tech solutions to manufacturers in numerous sectors, from automotive to defense industry, aerospace to mold making. However, we don’t define ourselves solely as a machine supplier. We position ourselves as a solution partner that analyzes production processes, determines the right technology, and accompanies the entire process with project engineering, training, and after-sales services.
As Gökhan Yıldız, General Manager of GNC Makina, I have been active in the field of industrial and production technologies for approximately twenty years. Throughout my career, I have focused on increasing the efficiency of production processes, bringing technology together with industry, and supporting the competitiveness of manufacturers. Today, at GNC Makina, we continue our work with an understanding that centers both technology investments and human resource development.
What products do you sell and manufacture? Which sectors do you cater to with this product range?
As Gökhan Yıldız, General Manager of GNC Makina, we generally offer CNC machining centers, lathes, high-precision machine tools, automation, and robotic production solutions. In addition, we provide comprehensive solutions to our customers with project engineering, process optimization, operator training, and after-sales technical support services.
Our customer portfolio includes companies in the automotive, defense, aerospace, mold making, machine manufacturing, energy equipment, and precision part manufacturing sectors. We operate as a strong solution partner, especially in sectors requiring high precision, repeatable quality, and efficiency.
What factors do your customers consider when choosing your company?
While in the past the technical specifications of the machine were the primary consideration, today our customers make decisions with a much more holistic perspective. Now, it’s not just the machine; service infrastructure, speed of technical support, engineering capabilities, training support, and a long-term business partnership approach are also decisive factors.
One of our most important differentiators is our after-sales services. Being the only company in Turkey that guarantees initial contact within 60 minutes of technical support requests, and achieving a 90.53% customer satisfaction score in 2025 through independent measurement, are significant indicators of the trust our customers place in us.
Today, industrialists are not just buying a machine; they are buying continuity and reliability in production. Therefore, our customers prefer our solution-oriented approach and proximity to the field.
Considering the current economic and political climate, what are your expectations for the short and medium term?
Global geopolitical developments, energy costs, and access to finance continue to shape the agenda of industry. Fluctuations in energy prices and uncertainties in global trade, in particular, are leading manufacturers to act more cautiously and with a focus on efficiency.
However, I don’t think the industrialist’s appetite for investment has completely disappeared. Investment decisions have simply become more selective. Companies are now focusing on investments that increase efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and create a competitive advantage, rather than simply increasing capacity.
We believe that in the second half of 2026, if there is a certain normalization in geopolitical risks, a more significant recovery in industrial production may occur. We believe that companies that continue to invest in productivity and do not delay technological transformation will gain a significant advantage during this process.
What impact do you think the CNC Masters Competition, which you held for the second time this year, has had on the CNC operator profession and the development of young talent?
Our main goal in launching CNC Masters was to increase the visibility of the CNC operator profession and contribute to meeting the need for qualified human resources. In two years, we have seen that the sector has embraced this project wholeheartedly. The high number of applications from different cities in Turkey clearly demonstrates the potential and need in this field.
Through the competition, we created a platform where CNC operators can showcase their knowledge, skills, and experience. At the same time, we highlighted that the profession is not just an operator job, but a significant career field requiring high technology and expertise.
The most valuable gain for us has been the increased interest of young people in production technologies and the increased visibility of CNC operator work. What is your main motivation for growing the CNC Masters Competition every year? What level do you aim to take the project to in the future?
One of the most important needs of industry is qualified human resources. No matter how much technology investments develop, sustainable success is not possible without competent human resources who can use this technology correctly. The main reason for our growth in CNC Masters is... Our aim is to make a lasting contribution to this need.
Today, CNC Masters is not just a competition; it has transformed into a platform for education, knowledge sharing, and professional development. The comprehensive training our finalists undergo before the competition is part of this approach.
In the coming period, we aim to make CNC Masters one of the industry’s reference projects by involving educational institutions, industrial organizations, and technology companies more. In the long term, we hope it will become an internationally open structure.
What are your goals for the second half of 2026? Do you have plans for expanding into new markets, making investments, or developing new products?
In the second half of 2026, our priority will be to further strengthen the solution ecosystem we offer our customers. We plan to increase our investments in robotics applications, automation systems, and project engineering. At the same time, we are working on new global collaborations to expand our product portfolio.
On the other hand, we are also conducting significant studies on financing models that will facilitate manufacturers’ technology investments. We see that flexible financing solutions supporting investment decisions in today’s conditions make a significant contribution to the sector.
In the second half of 2026, we aim to both offer more added value to our existing customers and grow in new sectors and business areas.
Anything else you’d like to add…
I believe that human resource investments are just as critical as technology investments for the future of Turkish industry. Productivity, digitalization, and automation are certainly very important; however, at the heart of all of this is the human element.
As Gökhan Yıldız, General Manager of GNC Makina, we will continue to work with an understanding that contributes to the sustainability of production, stays close to the field, and correctly understands the needs of industrialists. Our goal is not just to sell machines; it is to be part of projects that increase Turkey’s production power and competitiveness. With projects like CNC Masters, we will continue to bring young people together with production and invest in the future of industry.
