BEST Reaches the Top in the Energy Sector

BEST Leads in Energy Sector BEST ranked first in 2021 among energy sector companies with the highest R&D spending at TRY 80 million, and placed 31st in the overall Turkey ranking. BEST - Balıkesir Elektromekanik Sanayi Tesisleri A.Ş., the largest subsidiary of Yırcalı Holding, continues to set records with Turkey's first R&D Centre in the sector and in Balıkesir, established in 2010. BEST A.Ş., continuing to increase its successes in the R&D field, has left many renowned companies behind both in the country and the region, proving itself to be a leading organization in research and development. The company, which treats research and development as part of its growth strategy, aims to produce its own technology and carry its competitive strength even further in the national and international arena. The BEST R&D Centre, established in 2010 as Turkey's first energy sector R&D Centre and Balıkesir's first R&D Centre, carried out a total of 61 R&D projects during 2021. According to the number of projects it carried out, it received the title of the company with the 34th most projects in Turkey. R&D spending of approximately TRY 80 million exceeds 3 percent of BEST's 2021 net sales. This ratio is higher than the R&D spending ratio in the European Union at around 2 percent of GDP and in Turkey at around 1 percent. In BEST's R&D work spanning over 10 years, with over 100 R&D Centre personnel, the organization has served as a stakeholder in 34 TEYDEB projects that have advanced the country's and the company's technology level; 1 university-industry project of TRY 2,244 thousand is ongoing. The organization is also among the project partners of 2 EU-supported Horizon projects currently underway, positioning itself as a pioneer in this area. With applications submitted in previous years, the total number of patent, utility model, industrial design and trademark applications exceeded 25 as of 2021. It has applications with the World, European and Turkish Patent Offices. The R&D Centre continues its work with both Balıkesir University and all universities in Turkey with expert academics in the field of university cooperation. In addition to universities, it serves on international committees such as TSE, IEC and CIGRE. Ahmet Kerem Köseoğlu, R&D Centre Manager, has led the CIGRE Turkey Transformers and Reactors Committee since 2019. Köseoğlu also serves as Vice Chairman of the CIGRE Management Committee and Chairman of CIGRE Turkey NGN. Köseoğlu was recognized with the Turkey's Most Innovative Personnel - Refik Üreyen Award given by TTGV in 2018. BEST R&D Centre academics, ministry officials and employees aim to set many firsts with their work to contribute to the growth of the organization.