Hasan Pervar graduated from Istanbul Technical University as a mechanical engineer in 1989. After working at leading companies in Türkiye such as Eczacıbaşı and Koç Holding, as well as Peugeot and Honda, he moved on to the maritime sector. He first worked at Hanse and then at Sirena Marine, where he currently manages the aftersales service department.
How did you transition to the maritime industry while pursuing a career in mechanical engineering?
Although mechanical engineering is a very critical field, especially in industrial production and design processes, I saw moving into the maritime sector as a natural step. Both sectors require engineering and design skills, and mechanical engineering provides a foundation that facilitates the transition into maritime. I had made my choice at university to focus on the automotive sector, but my interest in the sea and my passion for this field led me over time. My curiosity about sailing, renting a boat during the holidays increased my interest in this field and it has always been my hobby. Over time, I thought that I could use my engineering skills more creatively in this sector where machinery and technology meet the sea. The experiences I gained were especially about solving technical problems and innovation. This sector was also based on similar engineering principles. Elements such as design, durability, efficiency and safety were of great importance. It also enabled me to further develop my engineering knowledge, as it is an industry that focuses more on natural conditions and environmental factors and struggles with more external factors. My encounter with Sirena Marine also came about as a result of this transition. A role that suited me was presented and my first years at Sirena Marine were very instructive, both personally and professionally. I share a lot with my colleagues and customers, and we benefit from each other’s areas of expertise. Five engineers in our department receive customer requests and take the necessary actions regarding warranty, service and spare parts. We provide services to our customers on technical and commercial matters.
Can you compare Sirena Marine when you first started working with the company today?
My career at Sirena Marine started seven years ago. The company was very different then from what it is now. At that time, our business volume was largely made up of Azurée and Euphoria sailing boats. Over time, we have experienced a major transformation and today, Sirena Yachts models have become the largest source of income in terms of turnover. This was both a testament to Sirena Marine’s commitment to engineering and design excellence and the result of rapidly growing market demand. While the department was only a team of a few people, our number has increased with the growth of the company. We have reached the efficiency that can both serve more boats and offer quality faster. The fact that each team member is responsible for the maintenance of a specific model makes it possible to provide quick solutions to the customer and makes Sirena Marine a strong brand. The process of growth and development has also given rise to difficulties. However, it was a great pleasure to see how our engineering skills contributed to the company’s development process. In parallel with growth, the after-sales services department also expanded. We had the opportunity to serve more customers around the world and became a strong brand in the international market. Today, there are over two hundred Sirena Yachts boats worldwide. This is an indication of how strong a position the company has achieved in the global market. One of the main reasons for Sirena Marine’s growth is the constant delivery of high-quality products and the great importance we attach to customer satisfaction. The design and engineering excellence we offer, especially in the motor yacht segment, has reinforced our leadership in the sector. Our basic principles are to produce customized solutions for each customer, to continuously improve after-sales services and to always prioritize customer satisfaction. At the same time, following technological innovation and developments in the sector also contributes to success. Sirena Marine is now a strong player not only in Türkiye but also in the North American, European and Far Eastern markets. Our model range allows us to offer options suitable for each customer’s needs. We provide quality service to our customers at every stage by establishing a large after-sales support network.
Could you give information about the scope of activity of Sirena Marine’s after-sales services department?
The after-sales service department not only provides warranty, service and spare parts services, but also provides all kinds of technical support and guidance to our customers. Half of our boat fleet is in North America, 35 percent in Türkiye, and the rest in Europe and the Far East. We have a service network spread over an extremely wide geography. There are maintenance and service needs of different models in each region. Our team is organized according to these possibilities and provides the right solution quickly. It is very important for us to make accurate diagnosis on each boat, because with the correct analysis, the solution process is accelerated and the problem is solved immediately. For this reason, we use a specially developed software for incoming calls through our dealers. This software allows us to follow every step of the process. We provide technician training to dealers in the factory every year. These trainings also enable our dealers to solve all kinds of technical problems quickly. Working in coordination with the sales department, we meet boat owners at the production stage before delivery. This stage is very important for us because in this way we learn in advance what features the boat is produced with, customer desires and expectations. As a result,
we aim to provide the highest quality and reliable service to them at every stage by producing customer-specific solutions.
Has there been any change in the structure of the department over the years, how is its structure and functioning today?
While in the first years, only an engineer colleague and I worked there, now there are six engineers in the department. The number of our technicians has also increased, and our ability and speed of work has increased significantly. We are able to provide faster and higher quality service to more boats. While Sirena provides service for different model sizes and sailboats such as 48, 58, 68, 78, 88, the service time for each varies according to the size of the model. The responsibilities of those in the team are quite clear. A colleague of mine only serves spare parts needs. Thus, we can accelerate this process by focusing on spare parts supply and management. A special team member is responsible for the Sirena 78 and 88 models. In addition, there is a team member responsible for all dealers.
What do the technical and commercial services you offer to your customers include?
Our boats are covered by a two-year limited warranty. For us, a boat is not just a product, it is a whole where many systems and different products work in harmony. Hull, mechanical systems, electrical systems and interior design, four main branches. It is very important that the systems and products on the boat work in harmony with each other. If a malfunction is not provided service in a timely manner, it may damage other systems. Therefore, when we receive a malfunction call, we make a concerted effort to quickly find the root cause. Being able to make accurate diagnosis and quickly identify the source of the problem is a critical step for us. After the boat is delivered, we also provide services regarding safety equipment and any subsequent products and spare parts needed. In this way, we aim to always provide boat owners with a safe, efficient and uninterrupted usage experience.
Where do you see Sirena Marine ten years from now?
Ten years later, I see Sirena Marine as a leading brand in the global maritime industry. We aim to become a strong player on a global scale by consolidating the successes we have achieved today in a wider geography and with a wider variety of models. We will reach the highest levels in the sector with our technological innovations, quality and customer-oriented approach. In addition, sustainability will be a very important issue for us. We will continue to produce environmentally friendly and energy efficient boats. We will develop innovative solutions to minimize the environmental impact of our production processes and products. By responding to our customers’ needs as quickly as possible, we see them not just as customers but as part of our brand.
How would you personally describe your relationship with the sea?
The sea is not just a job for me, it’s a passion. It has become a tradition for me to rent a boat in different places every year and explore different routes and sea experiences. I prefer to rent a boat wheneverI have the opportunity in my busy work schedule. Participating in important fairs of the sector such as Cannes and Düsseldorf is also part of my job. Sailing along the French coast and the Rhine River is an unforgettable experience for me. Being one with nature and experiencing the peace that the sea offers during every journey gives me great happiness.