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1998
1999
Hishtil-Toros Nursery, Inc. (Hishtil-Toros
Fidecilik) was founded in 1999 in order to
provide farmers the much-needed high-
yield, disease-free seedlings. The company
shortly became the market leader and
pioneered the sector by using the
most advanced technologies
and protective protocols
in the world.
2000
With the aim of providing high-quality
seeds to farmers, Toros Agri founded
Hazera-Toros Seeds, Inc. in 1998. This
partnership was dissolved in 2004, and
Toros continued its work in developing
and producing seeds on its own.
Toros Adana Yumurtalık Free Trade Zone
(TAYSEB) came into effect in 1998, in
the area where the Ceyhan Plant was
located.
Alper Tevs
General Manager,
Hishtil-Toros Nursery
There are almost
no set standards in
our sector. Our own
standards for work
and production
quality are usually
taken as benchmark
by all the other
companies in the
sector.
The founding
partners,
members of
their families,
and the Group
companies
founded Tekfen
Foundation for Education, Health, Culture,
Art, and Protection of Natural Resources,
shortly Tekfen Foundation on April 12, 1999.
The non-profit foundation concentrates on
student scholarships, building new schools,
and sponsoring Tekfen Philharmonic
Orchestra.
Dr. M. Ercan Kumcu
Chairman of the Board,
Tekfen Foundation
Our philosophy for scholarships is
based on mutual trust and the sense of
responsibility. The youngsters promise
us they will be good students, and in
return we support them throughout
their education, because we know that
investing in people is the best sort of
investment.
2001
Tekfenbank, which had hitherto been active
in investment banking only, acquired Bank
Ekpres in 2001 and entered retail banking.
2003
Built in Levent on the land where the
lightbulb plant had been, Tekfen Tower
was inaugurated in 2003. The 26-floor
building was one of the few examples of
A-type office buildings in İstanbul. Under
the spotlights of the real estate market
since construction had begun, Tekfen Tower
became a commercial success as well.
Mehmet Erktin
Member of the Board,
Tekfen Real Estate Development
Tekfen Tower was a project that changed
Tekfen’s place in the real estate industry.
It added great value to our brand. It
was the only building in İstanbul that
complied with international security
standards and was rapidly taken up after
it was opened, especially by foreign
companies.
2004
A seed research and development
station was founded in Çandır, near
the Mediterranean city of Antalya
on a land of 40,000 square meters,
with the aim of undertaking research
in seed development. Agripark,
a center for techno-agriculture
production and research, joined
the group the same year in Adana,
focusing on the development of
healthy seeds and seedlings through
tissue culture.
Tekfen Group was restructured by
liquidating unprofitable businesses and
investments, resulting in a leaner structure
for Tekfen Holding. At the same time the
management of the holding was handed
over to a professional team and the
three founding partners left their active
management posts.
Tekfen Real Estate Development Group
was founded in response to the need in
the market for high-quality innovative
projects. The Group aims to develop real
estate projects at international standards,
combining quality, sustainability,
environmental awareness, functionality,
and trustworthiness with its unique
approach.