Speakers
Haluk Yildiz
President
MDF and Chipboard Manufacturers Association
Meşrutiyet Cad. Aslıhan A-Blok No:10 Kat:7
Galatasaray Beyoğlu
Istanbul
Türkiye
Phone: +90 (212) 292 58 34 / 292 58 56
Chairman, TOBB Forest Products Assembly
Chairman, MDF and Particleboard Industrialists Association (YOMSAD)
Born in 1959 in Samsun, Haluk Yıldız graduated from Boğaziçi University, Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1981.
He began his professional career at Karadeniz Copper Enterprises and later worked for seven years at Aksa Acrylic Chemical Industry, where he held managerial positions in engineering and investment departments.
Since 1992, he has served in various managerial roles at Kastamonu Entegre Ağaç Sanayi A.Ş., including Investment Manager, Plant Manager, and Deputy General Manager.
From 2000 until July 2025, Haluk Yıldız held the positions of CEO of Kastamonu Entegre Ağaç Sanayi A.Ş. and Head of the Wood Group at Hayat Holding.
During his tenure as General Manager, Kastamonu Entegre experienced an extraordinary investment expansion both domestically and internationally, growing nearly 20-fold in 20 years and reaching an annual turnover of USD 1.9 billion.
In addition to overseeing operations in Turkey, Yıldız also led the company’s subsidiaries in Italy, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In July 2025, upon his own decision, Haluk Yıldız stepped down from his positions as CEO of Kastamonu Entegre A.Ş. and Head of the Wood Group at Hayat Holding.
He currently continues to serve as Chairman of the MDF and Particleboard Industrialists Association (YOMSAD) and Chairman of the TOBB Forest Products Assembly.
Prof. Dr. Davut Kavranoğlu
CEO
Kastamonu Entegre
Altunizade Mh. Kısıklı Cd.No:13
34662 Üsküdar, İstanbul
Türkiye
Phone: +90 216 554 30 00
As of September 15, 2025, Prof. Dr. Davut Kavranoğlu has assumed his role as CEO of Kastamonu Entegre.
Prof. Dr. Kavranoğlu completed his undergraduate studies at Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics, Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, and subsequently earned his master’s (1986) and PhD (1989) degrees from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, USA.
Following his academic career, he took on significant roles in public administration, the private sector, and entrepreneurship. He served as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye, and later as Chief Advisor to the President of the Republic of Türkiye on science, technology, education, and industry.
Most recently, in addition to chairing the Knowledge Economy Association, he served as Chairman of the Board of San Francisco-based Geoxon.
Hüseyin Yildiz
Chairman & CEO
Starwood Orman Ürünleri
Organize Sanayi Bölgesi 2. Cad.
İnegöl / Bursa
Türkiye
Phone: +90 224 29432 00
I am a fourth-generation member of the Yıldız Family, which has been involved in the forest products sector for over 130 years.
From a young age, I participated in the family business, taking on various roles after school and during summer vacations, and I started working full-time early in my career.
After graduating from Bilkent University with a degree in Economics in 1998, I joined the company on a full-time basis.
Throughout the years, I have gained valuable experience by taking on different responsibilities at various levels within the organization. For the last 10 years, I have served as the Chairman of the Board of Starwood.
My primary goal is to transform our company into a sustainable, innovative, and value-generating organization. To achieve this, I focus on making strategic investments and leading digital transformation initiatives.
I am married and have two children.
President
Federation of Turkish Furniture Manufacturers Associations (MOSFED)
Yeşilköy Mahallesi
Atatürk Caddesi İDTM
A1 blok Kat:6 No:10/1 Ofis No:250
Yeşilköy – İstanbul
Türkiye
Phone: +90 (212) 465 03 00
Ahmet Güleç was born in Mardin/Türkiye in 1970, he graduated from Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences, Department of Public Administration in 1990.
Known for his work on the development of the Turkish Furniture Industry, Mr.Güleç served in prominent positions in many non-governmental organizations. Güleç, who was the President of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association’s (MUSIAD) İnegöl Branch between 2007 and 2012, was also a member of the MUSIAD High Advisory Board until 2023.
Güleç carried out many studies to strengthen the unity of the sector in İnegöl, one of the furniture production centers of Turkey, and pioneered the establishment of İMOS with the İnegöl Furniture Promotion Group, which he was chairman of for two years. Güleç, who joined the board of directors of the Turkish Furniture Manufacturers Association (MOSDER) in 2010, was elected as the president of the association in 2012. Güleç, who is also the founding president of the Federation of Furniture Associations (MOSFED), which collects furniture associations of Turkıye under one roof, continues his duty as the president of MOSFED. Güleç is a board member of European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC).
Güleç, who is a member of the Board of Directors of Istanbul World Trade Center , served as president of the Istanbul Exporters’ Association, Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters’ Association for two terms in 2014 and 2018. Güleç has been serving as the Deputy Chairman of the Turkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) since 2022.
Güleç, who is married and a father of four children, speaks English.
Naci Güngör
Marketing Director
Alim Group
Ömerli Mah. Arefe Sok. NO:21/23
Arnavutköy / Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 670 05 18
Mr. Naci Güngör holds a mechanical engineering degree from Middle East Technical University and an M.B.A. degree from Bilkent University. He has an experience of over 30 years in the wood based panel industry and worked for 12 years as marketing and corporate communications manager at Kastamonu Entegre, which is among the top 5 producers globally. He then joined in 2018 Boyut Edgeband company, a member of Alim Group, as director of marketing and corporate communications.
He acted between 2015-2021 as a member of the Forestry Products Consultative Committee in FAO of United Nations, between 2012-2014 as Board Member of Wood Products Exporters Association in Istanbul and still a member of Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) Business Council Executive Committee.
Adnan Serbest
Designer
Adnan Serbest Furniture and Design Company
3 generations of carpenters, grandfather and father himself
His first design was a bus in 1976
His first space design was the courtroom
He designed hundreds of interiors until 1986
1986, he was influenced by the Memphis Group movement in Italy and started designing.
1995, he organized Kelebek Mobilya’s first furniture design competition.
1996, he held his first workshop at ITU with Rodolfo Dordoni
1996, he wrote his first design critiques
1997, curated the “10 works 10 designs” exhibition, which was the first exhibition of professional designers
1998, took part in the organization of the Design Odessa exhibition
In 1999, he received the new version of the ISO Certificate from Türk Loyd. (It wrote its first procedures for design and R&D and is one of the first furniture companies to receive this new version.)
1999 Became a member of Kalder
2001 Participated abroad fair and was nominated for Best of the Best in the first year.
2002, entered the world’s best design catalogue. (3 times Best of the Best nominee and 4 times Hit Guide)
2003 Admitted to membership in the United Nations Global Compact
2003, Gave dozens of lectures and published papers, organized about 10 conferences
2004, He gave workshops on fractal and brand in universities (such as Bilgi University, Anadolu University, Yeditepe University, Yıldız Technical University, etc.)
2005, Design Turkey received five awards in one night. He said, “Young Designers should also receive awards,” and never participated in the competition again.
2006 he was accepted into the book of “150 years of modern history in the World”
2007, established 4 Companies, one of which is a French Company
2008, He served as a council member of “ISO” for 5 years.
2009, he worked as a consultant for MUDER, OMSIAD, MOSDER, MOBSAD associations.
2009, He curated all the fairs of MUDER and OMSİAD.
2010, organized the competitions of the Maksder association
2011, his works were exhibited in Berlin, Guggenheim, Austrian Royal Museums
2014, he was selected as a TrendSetter.
He still continues his efforts to add value to the furniture industry.
Nino Speranza
Director of Sales
Interprint GmbH
Westring 22
59759 Arnsberg
Germany
Phone:+49 2932 950-0
Nino Speranza, Director of Sales, authorised signatory and member of the management board at Interprint GmbH’s headquarters in Arnsberg.
Nino Speranza worked at Schattdecor from 2003 to 2021. He spent the first part of his time there in overseas sales, focusing on South America. The second part was as Export/Sales Manager for Central Europe.
In 2021, he founded the consulting and sales agency SP-CASA. He was Senior Sales Manager and sales representative for Splendecor and Pyrus Panels. Nino Speranza is a IHK-certified Industrial Clerk, Export Manager, Bachelor Professional (CCI) of Media Engineering and Operations and Master Professional (CCI) of Business Management.
His focus: pushing projects forward, expanding markets and creating innovations.
Kai K.O. Bär
Managing Director
adphos Innovative Technologies GmbH
Bruckmühler Str. 27
83052 Bruckmühl
Germany
Phone: + 49 8061 395 0
Dr. Kai Bär graduated and completed his PhD in 1989 from the University of Aachen.
From 1989 – 1994 he was involved in the European space shuttle program and served as the leader responsible for the HERMES heat structure tests within the business segment “High Temperature Technology and Installations” at IABG GmbH, Ottobrunn.
Since 1994 he is the co-founder and Managing Director of IndustrieSerVis GmbH in Bruckmühl, which later evolved into adphos.
In 1998 Dr. Bär was honored with the title of “Entrepreneur of the Year”.
Since 2009 Dr. Bär is Managing Director/President of the adphos group, which includes adphos Innovative Technologies GmbH, adphos Digital Printing GmbH, adphos Thermal Processng GmbH.
Massimo Colombo
Sales Manager
Metis Systems S.r.l.
Via del Fontanile Arenato, 295
00163 ROMA ITALY
Phone: +39 06 6615 0066
Informatic school
From 1985 to 1990 Sales Manager Dicomed Italy
From 1990 to 1997 Managing Director Dicomed Europe
From 2002 till now Sales Manager Metis Systems
Frank De jonge
Commercial Director
Neos SpA
Via Giardini 32
41042 Fiorano Modenese (MO)
Phone: +491624173252
My career started at Olympia, where I started as junior product manager for one of the first laser Printer launched to the European market. I had the opportunity to sell inks and toner from global leaders like Mitsubishi Chemicals, Toshiba, Hitachi and Sensient to a broad number of challenging and exiting digital printing applications from desktop to industrial scale.
At Neos, where as the Commercial Director I have the unique opportunity to combine all my more than 30 years professional experience and sell the most sophisticated single-pass-inkjet-printers to a global audience.
Matthew Crichton
Senior Consultant
AFRY Management Consulting
4 Millbank
London SW1P 3JA
United Kongdom
Phone: +44 7909 212797
Matthew has over eight years of experience in the wood-based products and decorative surfacing industry. He has been involved in numerous projects, covering a wide variety of surfaces; from paper-based materials to finished foils and liquid coatings. His main focus is on cost-competitive modelling, having developed cost models for laminate flooring, primed plywood, and many other value-added products.
Karsten Klöpperpieper
Head of Sales and Project Management
Jagenberg Converting Solutions GmbH
Konrad-Zuse-Straße 16
46397 Bocholt
Germany
Phone: +49 2871 2412 500
Karsten Klöpperpieper started his professional career as an industrial mechanic specializing in mechanical and systems engineering at DürkoppAdler AG, and he received further training as a Bachelor Professional of Metal Production and Management (CCI).
He worked in sales for over 24 years (initially as export manager, later as head of sales, project management and field assembly).
He then held various positions focusing on plant engineering for the furniture and wood-based materials industry at Homag AG, Benteler Maschinenbau, Wemhöner Surface Technologies, Rotodecor GmbH and Wood IQ GmbH.
In July 2021 he joined Jagenberg Converting Solutions GmbH, starting as the first employee in the Surface BU shortly after its founding.
Göran Ziegler
Director R&D
Välinge Innovation AB
Prästavägen 513
263 65 Viken
Sweden
Phone: +32 494 560244
Göran Ziegler holds a M. Sc. In Chemical Engineering and Licentiate in Polymer Technology both from Lund University and have a background in material technology for building products from different industries. He currently serves as the Director of R&D Surface Technology at Välinge Innovation. Göran has been with Välinge for 17 years and have been responsible for the development of several new flooring and surface technologies. Göran is also head of the Swedish flooring standardisation group and active on both CEN and ISO level. Outside his work Göran enjoys mountain biking, golf and spending time with family and friends.
Marc Graindourze
Business Manager Industrial Inks
Agfa NV
Septestraat 27
2640 Mortsel
Belgium
Phone: +32 494 560244
Marc Graindourze has studied at K.U.L. (University of Leuven, Belgium), Master in Chemistry and Dr. Sc. (physical chemistry).
Marc started at Agfa in 1988 as a R&D project manager graphic films and proofing systems.
In 1995, Marc changed to the field of inkjet printing, first as R&D project manager inkjet media.
Since 2004, Marc is active in the field of inkjet inks.
Marc is very interested in the power of inkjet and how to make it work form the ink perspective for a large range of applications, whereby decorative printing is one of the key fields. Marc connects to the companies building inkjet printing solutions, as well as to the companies printing decorative designs by inkjet.
Sebastian Mailänder
Head of Application Engineering EIMEA
Furniture & Building Components
Henkel AG & Co.KGaA
Düsseldorf
Germany
Phone: +49 211 797 6320
Head of Application Engineering for Furniture and Building Components across Europe, India, and MEA. Together with a dedicated lab team at the Innovation Center in Düsseldorf, he develops innovative adhesive solutions. His experienced field application engineering team ensures seamless integration and comprehensive support for customers worldwide.
As a mechanical engineer with a passion for materials science, manufacturing, and joining technology, Sebastian brings extensive expertise in adhesive bonding. After initial professional experience in the automotive industry and working on projects such as the development of fiber-reinforced materials for Formula Student Racing, he deepened his knowledge in material research and the fatigue analysis of elastic bonded joints. This expertise led him to the adhesives industry, where he contributed to application technology for the automotive and transportation sectors.
Following a position as a product manager in the building materials industry, Sebastian returned to adhesive technology and now leads an international team driving sustainable innovations. His presentations and contributions at conferences reflect his commitment to advancing future-oriented solutions in materials and joining technology.rinting solutions, as well as to the companies printing decorative designs by inkjet.
Carolina Suarez Vallejo
Group Lead
Technical University of Darmstadt
Karolinenplatz 5
64289 Darmstadt
Germany
Phone: +49 173 54 70 488
and
Sun Chemical GmbH, Eurolab
An den Hirtenäckern 15
63791 Karlstein am Main
Germany
Carolina Suárez Vallejo is a Chemical Engineer and holds a Master of Science degree in the same field. She has accumulated over 15 years of experience in Research and Development at Sun Chemical, where she has contributed significantly to innovation in the printing ink industry.
During the early stages of her career as a Senior Scientist, she conducted research for her master thesis focused on the synthesis of high-coverage particles as alternatives to titanium dioxide (TiO₂), specifically tailored for flexographic ink applications.
Currently, in her role as Group Lead, she specializes in energy-curable inks, leading projects that explore advanced curing technologies. In parallel, she is pursuing doctoral studies, investigating the influence of physical properties of corona-treated PET substrates and electron-beam curable offset inks on adhesion performance and lamination bond strength.
Her work bridges fundamental material science with industrial application, contributing to the development of sustainable and high-performance printing solutions.
Philipp Keisker
Deputy Head of Sales EMEA / Strategic Solid Color Decor Paper Management
Felix Schoeller GmbH & Co. KG
Burg Gretesch
49086 Ornabrück
Germany
Phone: +49 541 38000
Graduation: Master of Science in Sales Management
2010: Start of training and studies at Felix Schoeller
2013: Joined as Customer Service Manager for Photo Imaging
2016: Change to sales, Junior Sales Manager Technocell Decor
2018: Area Sales Manager Technocell Decor
2019: Key Account Manager Technocell Decor
2021: Assumption of deputy segment responsibility (sales, technology, coloring) for Decor EMEA and focusing on Solid Color Management
Nurten Ergün
President
BTC Bilgi Teknolojileri ve Danışmanlık Hizmetleri Ltd.Şti.
Oruç Reis Mahallesi Tekstilkent Cad.
Tekstilkent Sitesi A5 Blok No: 55
Esenler, Istanbul
Türkiye
Phone: +90 212 4386506
She graduated from Hacettepe University, Department of Economics in 1987. Between 1988 and 1992, she worked in the sales and marketing of high-tech products in international corporate companies. She founded her first company in 1993. With the belief that innovative and new technologies will gain great value, she received training in design and digital technologies in Italy and Germany. She represented many European companies in the textile sector from design to production and color management in digital printing. Nurten Ergün, who is the founding partner of 5 different companies, has gathered all her activities under the roof of BTC Information Technologies, which represents a total of 11 European companies in Turkey. She closely follows the developments in the world by participating in over 200 fairs, both national and international.
She acts as a locomotive in introducing new technologies to the Turkish industry and bringing them into the sector with the Seminars, Workshops and Conferences she organizes regularly. In 2019, the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization organized the “1st Water Intelligence” Conference with the support of İTKİB, İHKİB, TTTSD and invited very valuable European companies that are running for leadership in their fields to this conference where the smart management of WATER was discussed and provided information on sustainable production technologies to over 150 Turkish manufacturers and brands.
Thinking that its long-standing knowledge and experience would also benefit the decorative surfaces, paper and packaging sectors, it made new initiatives and added the distributorship of 5 different European companies to its service area.
In 2024, it will organize the “Surfaces Eurasia” conference in cooperation with TCM Conference in order to lead the industry to get to know new techniques and technologies closely in the field of decorative surfaces. An event that will be organized for the first time in Turkey is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the world.
In this conference, the use of new techniques and technologies in decorative surfaces, the benefits of artificial intelligence will be discussed. As well as energy saving, efficient production, reducing stock costs, responding to customer requests faster and providing unlimited service in colors and quantities with flexible production provided by digital technologies will be also the topics. This event, which will feature very valuable speakers, will be the first event organized in the decorative surfaces sector.