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W
hen we founded Tekfen 60 years ago, there
was a reason why we named it as such,
combining “Technology” and “Science” (“Tekno-
loji” and “Fen”). Firstly, all three founders had
been trained as engineers. All three of us had re-
ceived our MS degrees in civil engineering at
American universities and as young entrepre-
neurs guided by science, we wanted to put our
knowledge and experience to use in our country.
In those days, there was a great shortage of engi-
neers with an entrepreuneurial spirit speaking a
foreign language in Turkey. Our aim was to take
action and responsibility in the construction of
the infrastructure direly needed for Turkey’s
prosperity, growth, and development.
Defined in the early days of the company, that
mission is also the summary of Tekfen’s 60 years.
For 60 years, Tekfen contributed to Turkey’s de-
velopment with the pipelines, industrial plants,
roads, and buildings it constructed. As my valu-
able partner Necati Akçağlılar always said, most
of Tekfen’s construction work consisted of infra-
structure that either remained under ground or
was located far away from the man on the street.
For this reason, Tekfen was mostly known as a
company that produced light bulbs.
The fact was, however, that our company was
creating countless buildings and plants that
made the life of that man on the street so much
easier. With its investments not only in con-
struction but also in various industries, it played
a key role in providing the people of Turkey with
lighting, increased agricultural productivity, bet-
ter nutrition, and higher living standards in gen-
eral.
The immense projects Tekfen undertook abroad
helped the Turkish contracting sector become an
international player, bringing in foreign curren-
cy and contributing to Turkey’s reputation. Tek-
fen has created employment for tens of thou-
sands of people, helping them raise their children
as citizens working for the good of their country.
Tekfen was never a company to stand out solely
with its commercial success and achievements.
With its faith in technology and science, it has
always been a symbol of progress, growth, and
development, and a company that set an exam-
ple even to its competitors with the principles
and values it defended.
I am proud to be one of the founders of this
unique company, and would like to thank all my
colleagues who have stood by our side and helped
us bring it to the present, sharing our philosophy
and ideals.
I have no doubt that future generations will em-
brace the principles and values we have defended
for 60 years, and that our company will live on
for many 60 years to come.
FEYYAZ BERKER
Co-founder and Honorary President
A
s we are about to leave behind 60 years at
Tekfen, I would like to review some of its
qualities that make us proud.
The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that
Tekfen is a highly respected brand. We have al-
ways been proud of this privilege and the oppor-
tunities this provided to our Group. Tekfen has
always been one of the top companies preferred
by job applicants, an indication of the trust placed
in our Group and its continuity. The Tekfen fam-
ily is founded on the values of merit, capability,
loyalty, sacrifice, and fraternity, and has been our
greatest asset along with this brand name.
Another issue dear to our hearts is the utmost
care we have shown for paying all wages and sala-
ries on time without any infringement of rights.
This principle has never changed throughout 60
years, no matter how difficult conditions become
or how serious crises are. We have also never
compromised on work safety, no matter the cost.
It has always been a source of pride for us to re-
ceive awards for the records we break in accident-
free days.
An important factor that also contributes to our
brand name is the determination to do high-qual-
ity work and finish it on time, even if at loss. Even
under the most difficult conditions, we have nev-
er considered leaving or closing a project site.
We have always shown ultimate care to avoid con-
flicts with business partners and to settle dis-
agreements out of court.
I would say that the most important factor con-
tributing to the success of Tekfen Group is the
level of agreement among the three founding
partners and the fact that we have complemen-
tary responsibilities. During the time we have
worked together, which is now more than half a
century, we have always been able to take deci-
sions unanimously, without having to raise our
voices. Many have asked me how this incredibly
harmonious relationship was possible. It is true
that our educational backgrounds are very simi-
lar, but each of us came from a different coastal
region, believed to cultivate different attitudes:
Feyyaz is fromMersin, the Mediterranean; Necati
is from İzmir, the Aegean; I am from Artvin, on
the Black Sea. I believe that at the heart of our
harmony were the principles I have listed in part
as well as the shared values of our culture such as
tolerance and unity.
The first 45 years of Tekfen constituted the peri-
od of expansion and growth, while the last 15
years constituted the period of consolidation.
During the latter, we undertook restructuring
and rebranding, selling off some of our compa-
nies while joining others; going public and adapt-
ing ourselves to the changes in management.
Since last year, members of the Tekfen family are
working hard to take the Group even further with
a new strategy and renewed effort. I wholeheart-
edly believe they will succeed.
It has been the greatest wish of the three co-
founders to see Tekfen continue to live for many
years after we are gone under a sustainable struc-
ture. As we strive towards this strong and sus-
tainable Tekfen, I am confident that social re-
sponsibility efforts will also continue unabated,
and I wish everyone many 60 years full of success.
NİHAT GÖKYİĞİT
Co-founder and Honorary President