11
1992
Under the
direction of Saim
Akçıl, The Black
Sea Chamber
Orchestra
(the seed of
today’s Tekfen
Philharmonic)
was founded
with the participation of 17 musicians from
11 countries, aiming to develop relations
among different cultures and to create a
common language in the name of peace.
In subsequent years, countries from the
Caspian and East Mediterranean regions
were also added, and the orchestra came
to be known as “The Sound of Three Seas.”
Today, Tekfen Philharmonic is made up
of musicians from 23 countries, and its
repertoire includes works from classical
music as well as original programs from
composers of its three regions and special
performances featuring local instruments.
Nihat Gökyiğit
Co-founder and Honorary
President
Think of the region that makes up
this orchestra. All the troubles of
the world are there. All upheavals
and armed conflicts. But despite
that, individuals from these
countries come together to make
music in great harmony, in an
atmosphere of fraternity and
friendship. In effect, they are
telling the politicians of their
respective countries, “Look at us!
Learn from us. Collaborate like we
do, in harmony and brotherhood.
Bring peace and welfare to the
region, which it deserves and
needs so much.”
1993
Hallesche Mitteldeutsche
Bau (HMB), one of the
construction giants of
the former East Germany
(GDR), was privatized and bought by
Tekfen Group. There were 4,100 employees
working at the company, which was
gradually decommissioned when low
productivity and difficult work conditions in
Germany hindered profitability.
One of İstanbul’s most successful real estate
investments and the best shopping malls of
the world, Akmerkez opened its doors on
December 18, 1993. Bringing a brand new
style to shopping in İstanbul, Akmerkez was
selected the best shopping mall of Europe
in 1995 and of the world in 1996. It received
many other international accolades in
subsequent years.
The first branch of Makro, which would
later become of the leading supermarket
chains in Turkey with 25 branches, was
opened at Akmerkez. Makro became one
of the important players of the Turkish
retail industry between 1993 and 2000,
when it was sold to Tansaş in a profitable
transaction.
Erhan Öner, Chairman of the Board of
Toros Agri, was elected president of IFA
(International Fertilizer
Industry Association), the
most effective institution in
the world regarding fertilizers.
Toros hosted the 62nd Annual
Meeting of IFA in İstanbul in
1994.
1994
Toros Agri became the first to produce
zinc-supplemented fertilizer. Zinc has very
positive effects in terms of productivity
and human health, and the level of
success in adding zinc to soil through the
use of fertilizers
had international
repercussions. In
many countries
around the world,
companies followed
the example set
by Toros Agri and
began producing
zinc-supplemented
fertilizers.
1996
Tekfen Construction and Azerbaijan State
Petroleum Company SOCAR partnered
in 1996 to found Azfen with the aim of
addressing the opportunities in the Caspian
Region, the emerging energy production
centre of the world, and to rapidly complete
the projects direly needed by Azerbaijan.
The priorities of the company included
pipelines, platforms, and terminals.
1997
Murat Gigin
Chairman of the Board of
Directors, CEO
Azfen continues its steady
progress as our most
consistent business in the
region.
Built in Ceyhan, Toros Agri High School
opened the doors of its 30-classroom
building to students. A year later, Toros
Primary School in Kurtpınarı, Ceyhan also
began accepting students.
Tekfen Construction won the tender for the
construction of İstanbul Atatürk Olympic
Stadium. The stadium with a seating
capacity of 80 thousand was opened in
2002.
Papfen LLC, a joint venture by Tekfen and
the Uzbekistan Ministry of Light Industry,
was founded in Uzbekistan with the aim
of producing cotton yarn for knitwear and
weaving. In 2010, the plant came under the
sole ownership of Tekfen.