Sponsor Spotlight: UFS

UFS (Uğurlu Finisaj Sistemleri A.Ş.) / EN UFS (Uğurlu Finishing Systems Inc.) is a valued IDA Diamond Sponsor. For our latest Sponsor Spotlight, we spoke with Kerem Uğurlu, International Marketing Responsible for UFS.

International Detailing Association (IDA): How long have you been with UFS?
Kerem Uğurlu (KU): I have been actively working at the company for 3 years, and I have been involved with the business for a total of 8 years. My brother and I represent the second generation of our family company.

IDA: Were you a detailer prior to becoming a supplier?
KU: No, I was not. Our company was founded in 1976 and started manufacturing polishing pads in 1984, so our background has always been rooted in production and supply rather than detailing services.

IDA: What type of training does your business offer?
KU: Our organization actively provides training programs at our factory, with a strong focus on supporting the next generation of professionals. We offer vocational high school students training in paint and surface finishing processes, and we provide students from the Kocaeli University Formula Racing Team, which we proudly sponsor, with training on carbon fiber materials and surface preparation. In addition, we deliver product training, surface preparation training, and material knowledge sessions for professionals, while also planning new educational series for amateur users.

IDA: What are some of your company’s attributes that make you stand out in the industry?
KU: Our company stands out through its long-standing manufacturing heritage, deep technical know-how, and strong commitment to natural wool polishing solutions. Founded in 1976, and manufacturing polishing pads since 1984, we combine decades of production experience with a forward-looking approach to innovation, R&D processes, training, and product development. We further differentiate ourselves through our focus on consistent quality, technical performance, and close engagement with professionals across multiple industries, ranging from global OEM suppliers to end users in sectors such as marine and musical instruments.

IDA: Is there any advice you would give to detailers that may be looking into transitioning to product sales, distribution, or manufacturing?
KU: My advice would be to first develop a strong technical understanding of the products, materials, and application processes behind the business. Success in sales, distribution, or manufacturing is not only about commercial ability, but also about understanding user needs, product performance, and long-term trust. It is also important to be patient, build credibility step by step, and focus on offering real value rather than only competing on price.

IDA: What are some of the struggles your company has overcome to get to where it is today?
KU: Rather than defining our journey through difficulties alone, we see our main challenges as the factors that continuously push us forward. One of the most important of these is understanding the evolving needs of both our private label partners and direct OEM customers, and developing tailor-made solutions accordingly. This requires us to stay constantly engaged in R&D, continuously improve our products, and keep our organization dynamic and responsive.

IDA: Why does your company believe it is beneficial to support the IDA?
KU: We believe supporting the IDA is valuable because it contributes to the professional development, technical awareness, and global connection of the detailing industry. Organizations like the IDA help raise standards, encourage education, and create stronger links between manufacturers, suppliers, and detailers. As a supplier, we see this as an important opportunity to contribute to the growth of the industry while also learning from the professionals who use products in real-world applications every day.

IDA: As a supplier, what changes would you like to see made in the detailing industry?
KU: As a supplier, we would like to see a stronger focus on technical education, product awareness, and long-term performance rather than short-term price comparisons alone. We believe the industry would benefit from more informed product selection, better understanding of surface preparation processes, and greater appreciation for the role that material quality plays in the final result. We would also like to see stronger collaboration between manufacturers, suppliers, and detailers in order to support innovation and raise overall industry standards.

Disclaimer: UFS is a 2026 IDA Diamond Sponsor. The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the IDA. If you are interested in becoming an IDA Sponsor, please click here to learn more.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.