If we look at the point Silmo Istanbul has reached, we can see that it has really jumped a few classes in terms of its corporate identity, branding, number and quality of exhibitors, and number of visitors.

Hello Mr. Beri… Could you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us how you decided to enter the optics industry?
Hello… I’m Beri De Taranto. I was born in 1983. I graduated from Yıldız Teknik University, Department of Physics. It was through my wife that I met this sector. My wife and her family have been serving this sector with great pleasure for many years. Frankly, their dedication and pleasant work encouraged me a lot and I started working in the optics industry. Normally my profession was technology consultancy. I suddenly found myself at this table, in this kitchen. Now, together with my wife, we are serving in this sector with the BDT company.

How many years have you been in this industry?
It’s been 7 full years that I don’t understand how it went. I spent it at a very fast pace. I met so many different people. I’ve been to so many different places. I became familiar with all parts of Turkey. In my previous industry, we had small world trips. I got to know every part of Turkey with my venture into the optics industry. Due to international fairs, we see many countries of the world. So, we are constantly developing and renewing.

Let’s talk about your sales and after-sales services…
We frequently visit companies to promote and sell our products. That’s why we are constantly on the go. Our biggest goal is to provide all kinds of satisfaction at all stages from wholesale to retail, from retail to consumer. Our aim is to satisfy the end user. We don’t want the retailer to suffer when a problem arises because they are our business partners. We try to provide perfect products and ensure that they keep customer satisfaction at the highest level. Apart from this, we are also well equipped in the technical service part. In case of any problem, our business partners send us their requests and we try to answer them as soon as possible. We always try to keep customer satisfaction at the highest level.

Which communication tools do you prefer when promoting your brands and products?
As a matter of fact, my preference is social media and field visits. Since the brands we distribute are well-known brands, our customers generally follow these products. Most of the time, I receive customer requests for new collections before I know it. Therefore, social media is a very powerful tool, especially Instagram is very powerful in this regard. We make our new collections and information here. We also participate in fairs. We attended the Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair in 2022. In the following years, we plan to participate in Silmo fairs both in Turkey and abroad. In addition, field trips and customer visits have a very important place in these promotions. Because our customers may not find much time to follow current developments. Their priority is to respond to their customers. We act a bit like their adviser. When you offer the right product at the right price, success follows. We are satisfied and I think our customers are also satisfied.

You said you are attending fairs… what was your expectation from the fair? Did you get what you expected? Let’s get your comments on the development and current process of Silmo Istanbul.
First of all, my purpose of joining Silmo Istanbul is to introduce myself as I am a new company. I have many clients who know me, but there are many more who do not. The fair was the place where I could represent myself best with my company, myself, and my brands, so I chose Silmo Istanbul. I actually got a better result than I expected. All visitors, both domestic and foreign, visited our stand because they knew our brands. We had the opportunity to meet. We had the opportunity to develop business. It was helpful in my business development with those who know our company. Silmo Istanbul was a beneficial process for me and my company. If we look at the point Silmo Istanbul has reached, we can see that it has really jumped a few classes in terms of its corporate identity, branding, number and quality of exhibitors, and number of visitors. For this reason, I think our participation will continue.

Can you talk about the brands within the company, the customer profile and technical features of these brands?
There are four brands within BDT Optik. These are all brands with high-end products that mostly appeal to boutique stores. One of them is Markus T. The owner of the company is a well-known optometrist and designer in Germany. He has designed many hotels and shops. Since he knows his job very well, he designs and offers perfect products to the end user. They try to do their job perfectly. The company manufactures both optical and solar frames with state-of-the-art technologies in western Germany. The most important thing is that the entire collection is produced by hand. The most important added value here comes from the fact that the products are combined by hand in such a regular way and they are made individually. I have visited and seen them in their places. They have one of the top end manufacturing facilities I’ve toured recently. The transactions are carefully planned to serve the consumer for a very long time and as on the first day. Since the owner of the company knows his job very well, he makes products that the workshop or optician can present without fear with special patented systems. For example, the frames in all Markus T products are reverse channel. Normally, in the difficulties of the reverse channel frame, you know that you need to open a channel on the glass. This company has created such a system that we can disassemble and assemble without damaging the glass and frame. However, we take the burden and stress off the workshop. Frames start with designs starting at 1.6 grams. Its heaviest frame weighs 5.30 grams. So, if you are someone who will wear glasses all day, you want to wear something that creates less fatigue on your face. Markus T is a framework for these people. We get very positive feedback from all users. Lafont is a 100-year-old company. They started this business when there was no eyewear production in Europe. One of the pioneers of glasses. The company starts this business as a workshop by making custom glasses and continues to grow over the years with the different designs it makes. Now in its 100th year, Lafont is a well-known brand in Europe and America, which has made hundreds of celebrities wear their colorful glasses. They are usually the most colorful showcases and frames. He always has striking designs. There are 5 retail stores in Paris. There is also one workshop. Let me talk about a tradition that still continues; You can make an appointment online; you go there and choose a model you want. Your face measurements are taken. You can choose any model plus color from the acetate blocks. They produce special glasses for your face, eyes, and nose. They still do this out of respect for their roots. French firm like Lafont in Minima. 30 years old company in Minima. The products you see on the table are children’s frames. It really added a whole different dimension to children’s frames. Much more vibrant than the colors you see on the market. High quality. All titanium and flexible. It does not cover the child’s face. The child cannot tear these glasses. We can say that it is almost indestructible. When it comes to children’s glasses, we don’t look at the sales perception much, but we want them to wear a warm frame in their eyes. I have witnessed the twinkle in children’s eyes many times because they chose this product. There is such a trauma for children. You are young and go to school. Children are not like adults. They can criticize mercilessly. At least, these are the glasses that will ease that transition period. A brand that will put their parents at ease. Since the glasses fit right on the face, they do not slip while on the go. You don’t feel the need to fix it. This is also very important.

Lastly, let’s talk about your Osix brand. So many colours. Almost like a color chart. Could you please tell us about this brand?
Osix is an Italian brand. You are right, this is our color chart. As a matter of fact, this color chart makes up about 20% of the colors they have. Of course, we can’t bring all colors. They make all their products with 3D Acetate. They are specially cut on CNC machines. We also order from their website. We make our customer like the model. It is also possible to customize the handle colors, body colors, glass color if you want sun or optics. You can add a name or a slogan to the handles. All of these are possible, and it has a very good story, actually. You wanted this body and handle, and because you gave life to this plastic, they give you an acetate block along with your glasses. Very enjoyable work. The price range of this brand is more affordable than all the brands we have. It’s a very new brand. We launched it in Silmo Istanbul and received positive feedback.

Our magazine has made another innovation and will continue its publication life digitally. In this way, we will reach much more intense masses and work more effectively and we believe that our interaction will be more. What are your thoughts on the decision of 4 your eyes on this issue? Also, what are your evaluations about the work of 4 your eyes on behalf of the optics industry?
First of all, your transition to digital is the requirement of the age. This is very good. When we look at all the world magazines, maybe they continue in print, but they definitely have digital ones. The number one tool in digital massification. From the moment it is published, the magazine can reach the consumer very quickly. Readers will no longer have to wait for a delivery process with shipping. You will be able to reach your target audience much faster. I was looking at what happened this month when 4 your eyes magazine came on my behalf. After all, the information available to everyone is limited. You do this as a profession. You get information from many different points, and you take care to share them. I can take them like a pill and update myself. I will put an end to the waiting for your magazine every month. It’s very nice. I congratulate you.

January 2023