Mustafa Şahintepe, Chairman of S. S. Manisa Truckers and Motor Carriers Cooperative

“THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR HAS WORKED NON-STOP DURING THE PANDEMIC PROCESS”

Stating that S. S. Manisa Motor Carriers Cooperative has been serving as the chairman for 6 years, Şahintepe said in relation to the cooperative founded in 1970 that; “I have been under this roof for 43 years. My father and uncle founded this place. I have been the chairman for 6 years. I previously served as vice chairman for 2 terms. I was on the board of directors for 2 terms. How do we take the Manisa Cooperative one step forward every day; we work on this. We continue to improve ourselves. We had 8 - wheels trucks before; these were turned to 10 wheels. We have also set up a truck fleet. At the same time, we started international transportation by taking our international C2 certificate one and a half years ago. We currently ship to Balkan countries, Moscow, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Russia. There are two cooperatives engaged in international transport in Turkey. We also got our C2 certificate because the industry and export in our city is high. There are 20-25 vehicles in our C2 fleet.”

“We Have Very Dense Shipments”

Stating that they have been working with Vestel for a long time, Şahintepe also mentioned that they also provide logistics services and said that; “Since 1985, we are carrying the freight of Vestel to the back of the beyond of Turkey with logistics companies. We have 408 members and a fleet of 500-600 vehicles. Our network is extensive so we employ all vehicles. Since our shipments are very dense, sometimes they may become higher at the end of the month. We have 150-200 vehicles working per day. Vestel is very precious for us. Because, perhaps 40 percent of Manisa earns their lives through it together with the sub-industries. There is also a Polonez factory on packaging, which we have been working since 1985. We also provide logistics services to Serel Seramik. We rented a warehouse through which we make delivery all over Turkey. The goods come from the factory, we organize and ship from here. Our performance is measured by companies. We are now at 96 percent of the capacity to do business.

“We Should Improve Ourselves Every Day”

Evaluating the insurances, the Chairman said: “Our vehicles are suitable for the current market with their awnings, trailers and insurance and they are fully insured. Since the goods we carry are very valuable, we get package insurance for our insurance company. We haven't had any trouble until now; but it is not clear what may happen on the road. Our insurance pays for the accident or the stolen property. So far, we have not been embarrassed to our employers. The factories we work with know that Manisa cooperative members will arrive on time, even if there is an accident or malfunction. We have that sense of responsibility. ”

“The Transport Industry Has Worked Non-Stop During the Pandemic Process”

Mentioning about the measures they take concerning the pandemic process, Şahintepe said that; “We are wandering around Turkey and also we have our drivers going abroad. Therefore, the pandemic scared us a little. But in the pandemic process, the transportation industry has worked nonstop. In this period; we even worked harder. We said to our colleagues that; “There is a rule in this process; mask, social distance and cleansing.” Our District Municipality has also built a disinfection tunnel. We wanted to implement this tunnel in our cooperative as we came from abroad because we are around 200-300 people. We have only one tunnel in Manisa. We get disinfected; so both our members get relieved and no member of us get the disease in the pandemic process thanks to this.”

“I Do Not Expect To See A Future In Prosperity Unless We Are United”

Pointing out that cooperatives should be united, Şahintepe said: “I do not expect to see a future in prosperity unless we are united. We discuss this with our other cooperative managers; we are exchanging ideas. Unfortunately, we cannot be united. We have a regional union; I am the chairman. But first of all my union cannot be assembled. 8 of the 15 cooperatives in the region are currently registered with us. The senior union is a platform we may get together, but my friends expect benefits from the senior union. I am the head of the regional union, I do not expect any benefit from anyone. For example, Salihli will go on a tender, it has rivals. When we are with our member, it’s rival will see the power behind our member. Being alone there is different from being there as a region. As Manisa Cooperative, we do not need union; but we have the unity. We will first meet in our region; we will be a power in Manisa. Let me also state that; I do not know how many Central Unions are there in Turkey; however, most of the cooperatives are not registered. ”

“Logistics Firms Will Destroy Us One Day”

Emphasizing that logistics companies will destroy the cooperatives, Şahintepe pointed out that small cooperatives that are not united have no chance to survive and said that; “I do not expect to see a future in prosperity unless we are united. Logistics companies will destroy us one day. Strong cooperatives somehow survive; but the smaller ones will disappear. I say that; "Come on, let's establish the Aegean Regional Union, friends" A senior union is not with 8-10 cooperatives; let there be an association with 80-100 cooperatives. Let's have a friend managing it. Let's work in the region, let's stick together. Friends say okay at the meeting. However, we can not get together. As Manisa cooperative, our business is very busy. We actively work as four board members. I have 24 employees; my annual turnover is 70 million TL. Let's run our senior union in this way. I say at every meeting, then these are forgotten. Sorry, but they will disperse a few years later.

“Our Sector Means Great Effort, It is Eye-Catching”

Chairman Şahintepe pointed out the important problems of the sector and said that; “Our sector means great effort, it is eye-catching. Truckers have labor. I also have driven for 35 years and there was no place I go in this process in Turkey. First of all, the right of the truckers must be protected and our request is to apply the tons / kilometers procedure. The taxi driver, the minibus drivers get their rights. If ton / kilometer procedure is applied, neither truckers nor manufacturers will object. But now there is a competitive environment. A law was passed in 2002. I was also on the board at that time. I read the incoming laws, if those laws came into force, the truckers would live in their golden age. Because they would have gotten their right. However, these laws disturbed some people. Then nothing could be done. If there is the tons / kilometers procedure, the factory will work directly with me. Because the price will be 5 Turkish Liras both in me or anywhere. They will prefer us if I havethis procedure. There is a competitive environment; the logistics company does not have only one vehicle either. For example, it gives a price of 3 liras where I do not earn 5 liras. They calculate what they can earn annually. They do not pay attention whether the truckers can earn their lives or not.”

“We Have Difficulty in Earning Our Lives Even We Work 24 Hours, We Lose Everything If We Work 9 Hours”

Stressing that they are not opposed to the tachograph application, Şahintepe said; “Of course, my driver should have a rest. Both the goods and the driver must be healthy. Because driving on the road sleepless may cause harm yourself and others. They brought the tachograph; but we have no infrastructure. We objected to that, it was postponed. Our vehicles go to Europe. There is everything the driver can feel comfortable with. We are entering gasoline on the road, it is said 'the truckers do not enter.' Where will I pass the tachograph time. Let our state establish the infrastructure of this first. We will earn our money in return. We have difficulty in earning our lives even when we work 24 hours, we lose everything if we work for 9 hours.”

 “The Troubles of the Truckers Should be Understood; We Pay High Figures ”

Stating that the taxes are very high and there should be a ceiling, base price application in insurance premiums, Şahintepe said that; “We have 23 items of tax. SCT, VAT, stoppage… We can no longer follow them. I instructed my accountant; I said 'do whatever it takes'. The insurance of a truck now exceeds 20 thousand liras. This price is multiplied when there is a damage. So we cover the minor damage ourselves. Why is the insurance premium so high? A ceiling, a base price should be brought to this. We get offers from 4-5 insurance and make annual insurance. We look at the payment type and capacity. Our financial advisor and attorney are reviewing. It is necessary to understand the troubles of the truckers; we pay high figures.

Stating that they have paid too much rent for their municipal garages and they have discount expectations from the municipality, Şahintepe said; “Our garage is 55 hectares; it belongs to the municipality. Due to the wrong contracts made in 2005, we pay 40 thousand liras to the municipality. We are waiting because of the pandemic. We are artisans, so the municipality needs to support us. We get support from everywhere except metropolitan. But we cannot reach Metropolitan Municipality. We represent an community here. We are waiting for a discount from the Municipality as we cannot pay this rent. ”