Japanese Giant Makes Major Investment in Turkish Industry

Japanese Industrial Giant Makes Major Investment in Turkish Manufacturing SMC Corporation, a Japan-based industrial automation firm ranked among the world's top 1,000 companies, inaugurated its new service facility in Istanbul through its Turkish subsidiary SMC Türkiye, backed by a USD 21 million investment. The facility opening, designed with motifs specific to Turkish and Japanese cultures, was attended by prominent figures from the sector representing both Japan and Turkey. SMC, a Japan-based manufacturer of industrial automation equipment that has operated in Turkey since 1993, decided to expand its operations in the country through a USD 21 million investment. With this investment, SMC opened its new facility featuring 24,000 square meters of enclosed space in the initial phase, while also expanding its range of services and products. The company, which offers thousands of product varieties in industrial automation, particularly pneumatics, for every sector, will produce primarily pneumatic actuators and air preparation group products at its new facility. Aiming to be present wherever manufacturing takes place through customer-specific solutions, SMC Türkiye targets to contribute more strongly to the development of Turkish industry and manufacturers through this investment. At the opening of the new facility, a synthesis of Turkish and Japanese cultures, remarks on the investment were made by Japan's Consul General Kenichi Kasahara, SMC Corporation Board Chairman and CEO Yoshiki Takada, and SMC Türkiye Board Chairman and CEO Turgay Uçar.

"This investment demonstrates Japan's confidence in us"

SMC Türkiye Board Chairman and CEO Turgay Uçar expressed his enthusiasm about SMC Corporation's investment in Turkey: "SMC Corporation, founded in Japan in 1959, stands as the sector's largest player through its own subsidiaries in 83 countries and manufacturing facilities in 34 separate countries. It also holds a leading global position with a 39% market share. As the Turkish subsidiary established with 100% capital from this Japanese giant, we have been providing services since 2011 under the name SMC Turkey Otomasyon A.Ş. At the end of our 12-year journey, we have reached an important position in the Turkish market. We have built a strong organization by focusing on educational activities in Turkey and investing in people. We are a leading firm in industrial automation with strong inventory-fast delivery, extensive sales and service networks. We continuously invest in people, equipment, tools, workshops and offices. These investments are evidence of Japan's confidence in us."

"We are present wherever manufacturing occurs"

Noting that Turkey's automation market is growing, Uçar stated: "Nearly every type of machinery manufacturing is carried out in our country. Turkey is not behind the Italians and Germans in this respect. The quality of manufactured machines depends on the originality of the design and the quality and capacity of the equipment used. With the advantage of being a global firm, we set quality standards and produce all kinds of products demanded in accordance with these standards. Our customers are able to provide products and services suited to production and industry in every geography on site. This is particularly important for manufacturers selling machinery abroad. The innovative products we bring to market, products that reduce carbon footprint by providing energy efficiency, enable us to be much more competitive internationally. SMC has many characteristics that distinguish it from others, such as product quality and variety, high technology, and innovative products. Our most important characteristic is that we are customer-focused and maintain good inventory."

"Will increase Turkish industry's competitiveness"

"As SMC Türkiye, we decided to expand our operations in Turkey to respond to growing demand. With a USD 21 million investment, we constructed our new service facility in our country. With our new facility featuring 24,000 square meters of enclosed space, we have also increased our production variety. At this new facility, which has begun full-service operations, we will produce and provide products and services tailored to our customers. Additionally, accessing the technical training provided by SMC will become much easier to ensure we have the qualified human resources needed by industry. Our goal is to be the leader in the pneumatics field in the Turkish market, as we are worldwide. Turkish machinery manufacturers are gaining increasing market share in global markets with their technologically advanced machines. As we achieve our goals, we will help increase Turkish industry's competitiveness."

"Turkish-Japanese relations will strengthen further"

Speaking at the opening, SMC Corporation Board Chairman and CEO Yoshiki Takada stated: "As a Japan-based company, we know very well what we need to do to succeed on a global scale. Turkey is an important country for us. Because you are remarkably fast and agile. We are grateful to the SMC Türkiye Family for the success they have demonstrated to date. I believe that this investment will further strengthen Turkish-Japanese relations." Japan's Consul General Kenichi Kasahara, commenting on Turkish-Japanese friendship, said: "The friendship between Japan and Turkey has continued strongly for many years. This major investment by SMC in Turkey is a very important step in further strengthening our relations on the commercial platform. I am excited to see the opening of this new facility as we approach the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey in 2024. I thank everyone who has contributed, especially the SMC Family."