On the Barbecue Sector and Country Agenda with Aynur Ayhan

Aniva Ev products is actually a company that was born in the crisis of 2009, as you know, the other name of the crisis is opportunity. As Ayhan Metal , we were also very affected by the 2008-2009 crisis. In times of crisis, you start to do and think more about the things you couldn't think about, what you wanted to do but couldn't. When we looked at what we had, we saw that we had machines, raw materials and the ability to do business.

Our first product design was double-sided pans. Didn't there exist double-sided toast pans before, but they were hidden, not wanted to be seen, and even treated as kitchen utensils thrown aside. We made toast pans for the toast flavor we loved in our childhood, pancakes for young people and anchovy pans for fish lovers with a more elegant and practical design. The products sold in the markets are risky in terms of food contact because they are uncoated or low quality coated. Starting from the suitability of our raw material for food contact, we modernized it with its non-flammable non-stick coating and ergonomic handles and created a new product family.

Even though we could not compete with China in terms of competitive prices, we turned to new products when we produced double-sided pans with very high quality.
We were a family that barbecued on weekends and even every day when the weather was good. When BBQ was used frequently, we had already manufactured BBQs for our own needs. We have always made Prtk Grill based on the design that complements the deficiencies for the outside user, while saying if only this way or that way. While PRTK Mangal is suitable for more individual and outdoor activities, we have designed the COSA suitable for personal experiences to be used in gardens and terraces for larger families. While the long-legged COSA is more suitable for socializing, weekend parties and events, the short-legged model is a model where you can sit next to it and use its wooden table as a table while grilling in our geography.

2-What are Aniva's stances and statements in the sector?

The main point we paid attention to in all our products was to design permanent, long-lasting products that live with us and have a life experience, by thinking of our future against rapid consumption, rather than using and throwing away as we know that our resources in the world are limited.

Today, kitchens have shrunk, families have gotten smaller, family activities and social hobbies have changed. The number of working women has increased and more practical equipment has been sought in the kitchen. We try to make life easier with design products by showing a analytical approach to needs.
We wanted today's children to experience the first pans we made and the delicious toasts our mothers made in our childhood. Thus, we added a new spirit by modernizing the double-sided pans and combining them with new technology and trends.

The different features of the barbecues allow you to use the products all the time. They respond to different needs rather than simply cooking meat and then removing it and putting it aside. Both stylish and decorative products.

3-What are Aniva's short-term and long-term goals?

While we predicted that we would run faster in Aniva, like every entrepreneur, it was painful and took time for us to switch to marketing-priority processes due to both the conditions of the country and our focus on production. We have changed our strategy in the last year and started to give more importance to online sales and digital environment. We understand that we made the right decision in this regard in Corona days. With the arrival of global logistics companies in Turkey, different working dynamics began to emerge. We strive to improve our ability to deliver online anywhere in the world.

At the same time, we will move forward by interacting more, sharing more information, and sharing Turkish barbecue culture and barbecue habits in different cultures with you in the following processes.

4-How would you define and interpret the barbecue industry in Turkey and in the world?

When you say I produce barbecue in Turkey, nobody looks at you, but when you say I produce design BBQ in Turkey, they look at you differently. If you are going to a picnic on the weekend, you usually have a barbecue at home that you love, you can take it with you, but if you don't, you can buy disposable barbecues from the butcher or hardware store. Because in our country, barbecue is based only on cooking and eating meat, whereas abroad it is seen as a pleasure, an activity, a means of social activity. BBQ lovers can gain expertise in how they cook meat, how they make different marinades, cooking time, weather conditions, and temperature distribution. Experience in the barbecue falls within the realm of individual experience. Factors such as the high price of meat in Turkey and the variety of meat abroad bring different habits. That's why we can say that our culture is completely different from the world's barbecue culture.

At the same time, different factors affect the course of the industry. In the past, for example, while we were afraid to step on the grass with bare feet due to the tick incident, it has become a nightmare for all of us to go out and have a barbecue on the grass.

Also, Turks like to grill on charcoal. We do not cook in the flame, but the Americans cook in the flame, almost bringing the meat to the point of burning. Charcoal meat grill distances are higher in the United States. We are shorter. Although not many people know, there is a DIN standard in barbecue and our barbecues comply with these standards.

5-Finally, how are the corona days going, do you think there is an opportunity to have a barbecue during this period?

Corona days are spent at home, especially on the weekends, we are doing barbecue activities with our nuclear family. The feeling of togetherness is very important during this period.

With PRTK Grill , which you can use comfortably even on your balcony when you are closed to our homes during Corona days, you can grill and eat as a family on your table, and you can collect good memories with the sharing of pleasant moments. Of course, I also recommend COSA BBQ, which is suitable for use in gardens and terraces for larger families.