People behind REHAU with Erdal Sönmezler:
Networker in terms of infrastructure

Erdal, you are now Sales Manager for the Railway Solutions sub-division and live in Hamburg. I'm curious to know how you ended up here?

The door opener for me to join REHAU was actually my combined education in technology and marketing. Because a deep understanding of materials and its properties helps a lot when you are called upon to be a development partner for new products. In my REHAU career, I have remained loyal to the Industrial Solutions Division. I changed from "hose" to "profile" after a while and started to look after 3rd rail projects in Türkiye. In addition to various product-specific training courses, I had the chance to participate in the GROW programme. This again expanded my internal networks significantly. When the opportunity arose to take on new responsibilities and work in Germany, I didn't think twice. Today, in the Railway Solutions sub-division, I am responsible for the German market as well as the regions of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and of course my home country, Türkiye.

The metro construction in Izmir is currently taking you back to your home country. Is that a special motivation for you?

Yes, of course. For the Izmir project, I have been in close contact since 2017: with the city administration, the consulting firm and the construction company. Through several visits, networking activities and sampling, we were able to strengthen the relationship with the decision-makers and always stay on the ball, or close to the customer. In 2016, we had left a first "footprint" with the depot project. This works with an excellent product. But equally important for me is the welded team of our small unit. It is a great team spirit.

Do you benefit from speaking in the local language to your clients? 

For me, speaking the local language and knowing the culture plays a key role in relationship management. But it is also a real advantage on the construction site - for example, when it comes to assembly training or technical questions - for me and the assembly teams. 

The local presence on site helps even with the big international projects. Being close to the customer is a strength of REHAU with which we score points time and again. The REHAU brand opens many doors in Türkiye. The local presence creates confidence that we will successfully accompany the project, with all the expertise and manpower that is necessary for this. In this way, we also secure a good starting position for follow-up orders.

Can you tell us something about the project in Izmir?

The Izmir Narlidere project is an extension of an existing line. After long negotiations, we received the official order in July 2022 and delivered the complete system in January 2023. Six months, that is record-breaking. At the end of March, the first underground train will run on a section of the line. 
The construction design of the complete line was part of the order volume for the first time. In addition, we successfully passed the approval for our systems, including protective covers made of PCAB material: for a material design that is only offered by REHAU on the market like this.

Large infrastructure projects are mainly in the world's metropolises. Where will your next projects take you?

As already mentioned, I am responsible for Eastern Europe and the Middle East, but mainly for Germany. In 2022, we had a record order of conductor rail in Berlin. Last year we represented REHAU for the first time at an infrastructure fair in Saudi Arabia in Riyadh and this year we will be part of the German pavilion in Abu Dhabi "Middle East Rail Exhibition". In addition, project tenders are underway in important cities in EMEA region. I will be on the road a lot for REHAU. The dry spell of the Covid years should now be behind us.

Erdal, another look at your home country. We are all moved by the reports. Is your family safe? Do you know if parts of your projects were affected by the earthquake?

The earthquake is a terrible disaster. Since my family lives in Istanbul, we were fortunately not directly affected. But of course we know people who live in the crisis area. The images are hard to bear. I would like to thank REHAU and all my colleagues that the REHAU family is once again standing together and providing help where it is needed. 

All our construction projects are outside the earthquake zone and are therefore not affected. But surely the government will reprioritise its investments. We do not know how this will affect our projects in terms of time.