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A Heartfelt Conversation with Rolling Master Türker Hanoğlu at Hasçelik
Türker Hanoğlu, who has spent six years at Hasçelik, shares his journey of discovering the steel industry and his deep dedication to his work. From the initial excitement of his job interview to where he stands today, this path has been filled with determination, a desire to learn, and growth. Let’s hear Türker’s story in his own words...
Yes, not a hardcore fan, but still a loyal one… Türker Hanoğlu, a graduate of Sakarya University’s Accounting Department, now works as a rolling master at Hasçelik. He is 31 years old, and interestingly, working in the steel industry had never crossed his mind. But as life often brings surprises, that’s exactly how Türker’s story begins.
“I’ve been married for about three years now. I live in Darıca. I’m originally from Istanbul, but over the years, we found Darıca more appealing. We said, ‘Let’s live here,’ and we’ve been here ever since.”
“When I came for the job interview, I was dressed like a classic accountant—clean and neat. Ümit Usta and Mr. Barış were sitting across from me. We walked into the hot production area, and honestly, I was a bit intimidated by the heat. But I said to myself, ‘I can do this job!’ At that moment, Mr. Barış looked me in the eyes and said, ‘This kid’s eyes are glowing. He can handle this job.’ And it’s been six years since that day.”
Though Türker studied accounting in university and even tried it briefly, that experience turned out to be a turning point in his life:
“I worked on the city hospital project in İzmit. I was handling the accounting for about 400 people by myself. I’d be calculating numbers at 2 a.m. I was doing a good job, but the stress and pressure wore me down. Eventually, I quit. Looking back, I say, ‘I’m glad I did.’ Because here at Hasçelik, I can see the result of my work. I produce, I touch, I grow. That’s why I love this job.”
Türker hasn’t worked in just one area—he’s taken on many roles:
“I’ve worked in the packaging department, the weighing section, quality control, sample collection... and of course, in rolling. There are very few areas in production I haven’t experienced at Hasçelik. I love learning. I enjoy improving myself.”
“It’s been a fulfilling six years at Hasçelik. I’m happy. Of course, we’ve had our ups and downs, but thankfully, I’m in a good place. I try to improve myself every day. We focus on what’s ahead and on growth. That’s the best part of it all.”
When we ask Türker what he loves most about his job, his eyes light up again as he talks about the pride of seeing the result of his labor:
“There’s something really special about seeing the outcome of your work. Watching raw material from the furnace get rolled into round bars… and then one day seeing that bar in real life. Recently, I had an issue with my car’s suspension. While examining the part, I said to myself, ‘This is our steel…’ That feeling is truly incredible.”
Türker has a strong connection with cars, especially one brand that makes him smile as he talks:
“I’m an Alfa Romeo fanatic. On weekends, I always check the oil and fluids, clean it thoroughly. I never miss Alfa Romeo meetups. The other day, I saw an Alfa Romeo 159 at the end of the street—mine’s a 147. My wife was with me, and I said, ‘I’ve fallen in love with that car!’ She was surprised, of course. But look at the design, the stance… I’ve admired it since childhood.”
When asked what motivates him to come to work every morning, Türker’s response is genuine and sincere:
“My motivation to go to work tomorrow is simple: I love my job. That’s why I don’t stress about what challenges I might face. When you love what you do, even problems don’t seem so big. But the best part? The friendships. Honestly, the camaraderie at Hasçelik is unmatched.”
The solidarity at Hasçelik goes beyond just the workplace. The teams working in three shifts also spend time together outside of work, even organizing musical events:
“We have this thing—Kamil Abi brings his accordion, I bring my guitar. We prep the meat, sometimes have a barbecue, sing together. Those moments are priceless. We work, we have fun, we live together. I’ve been playing guitar actively for 10 years. Having such a bond at work is a big blessing.”
Türker highlights another aspect that makes the work environment at Hasçelik special:
“There’s no pressure here. Our masters aren’t the yelling or bossy type. Most of the time, they feel more like friends. Sometimes it’s a master-apprentice relationship, sometimes it’s just friendly conversation. That kind of atmosphere brings peace.”
When sharing advice with younger people, Türker is straightforward and clear:
“Nowadays, the first question in job applications is, ‘How many years of experience do you have?’ So my advice to young people: First, work—learn the job. Then, one by one, everything you deserve will come your way.”
Türker’s perspective on the profession is grounded and realistic. His advice to young people reflects that:
“If your only goal is to make money, think about other jobs. But if your aim is to have a profession, to gain a solid skill, then this job is just right for you. You need patience. It’s not extremely hard work, but it does require attention and manual skill. You have to use your mind, too. You need to analyze the order of operations and machine behavior correctly. Otherwise, even the smallest mistake can lead to bigger problems.”
Every profession has its own language and spirit, and rolling is no exception. Türker shares a common phrase among colleagues with a smile:
“There’s a saying we often use among ourselves: ‘We’re doing this job, man!’ Like when the material comes out perfectly, someone says it right away. We all feel proud. Because when you get it just right, the final product looks flawless. And then, without thinking, someone says: ‘We’re doing this job, man!’”
He continues by emphasizing how Hasçelik stood by him during difficult times:
“There was also a time, around my wedding, when I was struggling financially. Hasçelik gave me incredible support back then. That’s when you truly realize what it means to have a company that stands by you in tough times. May God bless them—they really helped a lot. Also, during the wedding, my friends jokingly gave me an ‘International Certificate of Henpecked Husbands.’ It was full of fun and laughter—a beautiful wedding. That’s why this place holds such a special meaning for me.”
Today, I’d like to thank not just one, but three people.
First, to Master Ümit… Because he was the one who gave me my first chance.
Second, to Mr. Barış… He always says, “I saw a spark in Türker’s eyes. I said, ‘This kid can do it. We need to hire him.’”
I’m forever grateful to anyone who saw that spark and believed in me.
Third, to all my mentors… Because taking someone from zero and training them is no easy task. It’s not something just anyone can do. But they believed in me and invested their time and energy.
Now, I’m at a point in the factory—though I don’t like to brag—where my ideas, my work, my fingerprints can be found in many places.
What I value most is this: My mentor no longer says, “There’s a problem over there, can you go and fix it?” Now he just says, “Go fix it, let’s wrap it up in two minutes.” Because he trusts me.
And for me, that alone is more than enough.
When they say, 'Türker knows what he's doing,' it means I’ve already won.
The most important lesson I learned from my family is something my father told me:
“Son, I’ve never strayed from honesty in my life. You should do the same.”
This advice has formed the foundation of my life since I was a child.
We asked Türker: “If you could send a message to your family, what would it be?”
“I love them all so much. I’m so glad they exist. I’m so glad they’re in my life. I’m so grateful that they raised me the way they did—properly and with love.
My message: May God bless them with long lives and never let them suffer from poor health or hardship.”
And there's a beautiful quote by the late Barış Akarsu:
“Never let your heart run out of love. Because love is the key to everything, and the more you share it, the more it grows.”
So I say this:
May no one ever be without love in their heart.
