By CIGDEM YUCESOY SUBASI
Finnish fastener producer Peikko Group has started producing in Turkey. The innovative Peikko products, which have been used in mega projects like Ankara high-speed train line, domestic terminal of Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Vodafone Arena and Turk Telekom Arena will be manufactured in Turkey.
The global giant, which has been operating in the Turkish market with a sales office since 2009, made a decision for producing in Turkey and took action at the beginning of this year. The company chose Izmit as its base for production. Thus, Turkey has been added to the production chain of the company in 11 countries.
Peikko Turkey General Manager Cem Ozer said that Peikko maintains its activities as a family business since its establishment. “The group, which is a global pioneer in thin flooring systems, wind energy applications, fastener technologies of precast and cast-in-place concrete structures, has an annual turnover of EUR 239 m and 1,800 employees,” he added.
Operating in 35 countries, the company enters the markets where it wants to grow as a direct investor. The group’s growth strategy is based on establishing their own companies, not by distributor or agent network, Ozer said adding that Turkey’s growth potential was behind the manufacturing decision.
The factory will grow over time
The company, which started the factory preparations in January, completed its works and started production for only a part of Peikko’s fields of activity. “In the first stage, we started to produce industrial flooring solutions such as joint profiles for flooring. Our production operation will expand over time,” Ozer stated.
Turkish constructers’ successful operations worldwide was taken into consideration as well as the country’s geopolitical position, Ozer said. Making EUR 2 m currently in Turkey, the company will increase the production varieties and scale in the future.
Local approach is a must: CEO
Peikko Group CEO Topi Paananen also commented on this first step relating the investment in Turkey. “We have to maintain a local approach in order to serve our Turkish customers and develop our operations in an environment where exchange rates are floating and logistics and customs costs are high. We took our first steps in this direction,” he said. “Peikko products will now be produced as ‘Made in Turkey’.”
