Betul (Beth) Polat has transitioned to a full-time leadership role as Continuous Improvement Engineer with expanded responsibilities, effectively serving as Operations Director focused on Industrial Engineering, Process Improvement, and Lean Systems at Derya's Jacksonville facility. Derya is the U.S. manufacturing and operations hub for Derya Arms.
With a Master of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Binghamton University and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, Betul Polat brings over three years of proven expertise in optimizing workflows, inventory management, and data-driven operations. She has quickly become a key player at Derya Arms, driving significant process improvements across manufacturing, inventory accuracy, and regulatory compliance integration while working hand-in-hand with the factory team.
In her expanded role, Polat will lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and root-cause analysis to boost efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance throughput. She assumes full ownership of inventory systems, cycle counting, and control implementations, while overseeing all ATF compliance, trace responses, recordkeeping, and regulatory reporting.
"Betul has been instrumental in transforming our operations," said Dustin Jones, Vice President. "Her expertise in inventory optimization and seamless integration of compliance processes has strengthened our manufacturing foundation. She combines deep technical knowledge with a practical, results-oriented approach that is already delivering measurable gains in efficiency and accuracy across the factory floor. We are excited to see her impact grow in this leadership capacity."
Abdullah Celer, President of South Derya Corporation, added: "Betul Polat exemplifies the talent and dedication we need as we expand U.S. manufacturing. Her strong background in industrial engineering, Lean methodologies, and commitment to excellence make her the perfect leader to drive operational efficiency, maintain the highest standards of ATF compliance, and support our growth in the American market. We are confident her contributions will significantly enhance our productivity, quality, and long-term success."
Polat previously delivered impactful results in healthcare and manufacturing environments, including leading Kaizen and 5S events, developing Power BI dashboards with SQL integration, and achieving notable gains in workflow efficiency and waste reduction. She is now applying this expertise directly to support Derya's USA Headquarters and Factory in Jacksonville, Florida.
About Derya: Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, with over 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Türkiye, Derya manufactures high-quality, precision firearms known for reliability and innovation. The company's 15,000-square-foot U.S. facility supports both manufacturing and import operations, serving enthusiasts, professionals, and law enforcement worldwide. Derya is committed to quality, safety, and continuous advancement in the firearms industry. For more information, visit www.derya.us.