“Young people should focus on being multi-skilled and committed to lifelong learning.”
Esin Güral Argat, Vice President of the Board of Gürok Group and Chairperson of the Kütahya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KUTSO), was a guest on the live broadcast of Radyo Dumlupınar, the radio station of Kütahya Dumlupınar University (DPÜ). During the program, she answered students’ questions on a wide range of topics, from Gürok Group’s industrial journey to her election as Türkiye’s first female chamber of commerce and industry president, as well as the initiatives carried out at KUTSO and the impact of technological developments.
Sharing the story of the LAV brand, which was founded in Kütahya and has grown to become the world’s fifth-largest tableware glass producer, Esin Güral Argat said:
“We live in a city with a strong culture of production. As a group born in Kütahya, the center of the world for us is Kütahya. If ceramics can be produced in these lands, if such craftsmanship and discipline exist here, then why not glass? Why should we go elsewhere? This decision was more than an investment decision; it was a vision decision. We wanted Kütahya to have a say not only in its existing production areas but also in new industrial fields. Through our LAV and glass packaging brand GCA, we continue to grow as global brands focused on R&D and innovation, developing our own production technologies.”
“A reflection of Kütahya’s development vision”
Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, Esin Güral Argat was also asked about her election as Türkiye’s first and only female Chairperson of a Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Emphasizing that Kütahya’s development vision sets an example for the country, she said:
“I do not see this as a ‘first’ but as a threshold. Being elected to this role in Kütahya is not only a personal achievement; it is a result of the vision of our business community and a reflection of the city’s determination to transform. Because a city’s development is not possible without inviting women, who represent half of its potential, to the decision-making table. As diversity increases, perspectives broaden and the quality of decisions improves. For this reason, I carry this role with pride both as a responsibility and as a path opened for future generations.”
“We are working to strengthen Kütahya’s competitiveness”
Touching on the projects carried out under KUTSO, which plays an important role in Kütahya’s development, Esin Güral Argat said:
“Kütahya is a city with great potential thanks to its production power, deep-rooted cultural heritage, strategic logistics position, and transforming industrial structure. Since the first day I took office as Chairperson of the Board of KUTSO, we have been working with all our strength to make this great potential more visible, advance our strengths, and implement a holistic development approach that prepares Kütahya for the economic, social, and technological dynamics of the future. Our goal is to transform Kütahya into a brand city with strong national and international competitiveness by increasing production capacity, developing a qualified workforce, and strengthening the investment environment.”
Important messages for young people
During the program, Esin Güral Argat shared her views on topics ranging from business life and entrepreneurship to artificial intelligence and university–industry collaboration. She also offered advice to young people regarding career and personal development. Emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation rather than seeking rapid advancement in the early years of one’s career, she encouraged young people to “be patient, but never stagnant.” She highlighted the importance of not limiting themselves to a single discipline and stressed that reliability, consistency, and ethical conduct are the strongest references in the long run. She also noted that analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, strong communication and expression abilities, and a commitment to lifelong learning are competencies that make a difference in every field.