Kale Group Marks 68th Anniversary with "Investment in the Future" Message

Kale Group celebrated its 68th founding anniversary at the Kaleseramik facilities in Çan as part of the traditional Ceramic Festival. At the event attended by Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, the Group shared its 2024 performance and future vision with the public, inaugurated completed investments and laid the foundation for new production lines.

Kale Group gathered with all its employees, business partners and stakeholders on the occasion of its 68th founding anniversary and the traditional Ceramic Festival celebrated annually on 27 July. The ceremony held at the Kaleseramik facilities in Çan was attended by Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, Çanakkale provincial leadership, and representatives from the public and private sectors.

Zeynep Bodur Okyay: "We build the future with technology, people and culture"
Kale Group President and CEO Zeynep Bodur Okyay said in her speech at the ceremony: "As Kale Group, we do not merely produce; we build meaning, forge bonds, inspire and create collective value. Since our foundation, we have been on an authentic and systematic journey. Throughout this journey, we have never abandoned thinking together about people, design and technology; digitalization and innovation; social impact, culture and craftsmanship. In every strategic step we take, we value action as much as vision, creating tangible value not just ideas. Because with the inspiration we draw from this land, we know that: vision without action is merely a dream; vision nourished by action is transformation. That is exactly what our journey is."

Capacity increases at Sinterflex
At the ceremony, a new sinterflex line that increases capacity in large-format ceramic production at Kaleseramik was inaugurated, while renovation investment for a second line was launched.

At the Ceramic Festival, the 2nd Slab Line, completed at the beginning of 2025, was also inaugurated. Through this important investment, Kaleseramik added a new and innovative product to its large-format product range: products in 120x280 cm dimensions with a thickness of just 6 mm.

Strategic successes in defence industry
The ceremony noted that Kale Defence and Aviation Group companies had a transformative year in many respects. It was emphasized that Kale Jet Motors signed Cruise Missile Series Production Motor Supply Contracts with the Defence Industries Presidency and Roketsan for the KTJ series, Turkey's first indigenously developed jet motors to enter inventory. In addition to this success, the Group signed a strategic partnership with ANDAR, one of Turkey's leading firms in electromechanical systems, as part of its portfolio transformation strategy.

Kale Ceramic Foundation and ÇOMÜ launch joint program
As an extension of the values left by founder Ibrahim Bodur, Kale Group emphasizes social investment and continues programmes through the Kale Ceramic Foundation, which it houses, focusing on social entrepreneurship, vocational training and youth empowerment.

Finally, a cooperation protocol exemplifying best practice in education and training was signed between the Kale Ceramic Foundation and Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ). Within the scope of the protocol involving group companies Kaleseramik and Kalekim, various educational projects, scholarship programmes, corporate social responsibility activities and joint academic events will be conducted, particularly the 'Building Surface Design Technician Programme'. The Building Surface Design Technician Associate Degree Programme stands out as a distinctive vocational education model responding to growing demand in the construction and ceramics sectors for digitalization, next-generation application techniques and sustainable design approaches.

Ceramic Festival marked with colourful celebrations and ceremonies
The Ceramic Festival, which has become one of the cornerstones of Kale culture, was the scene of a special gathering where tradition, solidarity and gratitude were experienced together. The ceremony included numerous events meaningful to employees and their families. As a religious service was held and prayers offered, the spirit of social solidarity was reinforced through traditional circumcision ceremonies with participation from the local community. The Sports Awards Ceremony, reflecting the uniting power of sport, honoured employees who stood out with their achievements throughout the year. Additionally, the Seniority Awards Ceremony held for employees and dealers who have served for many years under the Kale Group umbrella took place with great enthusiasm. Through this ceremony, employees who contributed 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 50 years to the Group were honoured.