German trailer manufacturer invests heavily, launches factory in Turkey

Another manufacturer from Germany has joined the recent trend of investing in Turkey. Schmitz Cargobull, a German manufacturer of semitrailers, trailers and truck cabs, opened a factory in Sakarya, an industrial city in Turkey's northwestern Marmara region.

Sustaining its factory investment it initiated in Sakarya before July 15, 2016, the European trailer market's leader officially opened factory in Sakarya yesterday. The company, which aims to increase its production volume in Turkey to over 3,000 units in eight years, will invest around 90 million euros.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Schmitz Cargobull CEO Andreas Schmitz, Chief Sales Officer Boris Bilich, Schmitz Cargobull Turkey General Manager Mile Mishevski as well as Turkey Investment Agency (ISPAT) Chariman Arda Ermut and Deputy Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Hasan Ali Çelik.

Meanwhile, ISPAT Chairman Ermut congratulated Schmitz Cargobull for its investment in Sakarya.

"As an agency, we have done very intensive and close work with Schmitz Cargobull for this investment. Schmitz Cargobull, who continued its investment decisions uninterruptedly after July 15, once again confirmed the importance of Turkey for European companies. We believe this investment will greatly contribute to Turkish companies' exports," he said.

Science, Industry and Technology Deputy Minister Çelik also emphasized that Turkey, as an attractive center for foreign investors, has strategic importance in terms of being an energy and commercial corridor between the Middle East, the Black Sea and Europe.

"Turkey is the safest route for oil and natural gas transportation. Our country offers attractive opportunities for investors who want to trade with the countries of the region," Çelik said.

Schmitz Cargobull CEO Schmitz said, "Last year we produced around 58,000 units. We are the Europe's market leader with 2 billion euros in revenue and 5,700 employees. We have a global perspective, so we have production facilities not only in Germany but also in Spain, Lithuania, Russia and China. I am really happy to express that now Turkey has been added to this list of countries."

Underscoring that the company's Sakarya investment was for the future of the company, Schmitz said, "We aim to be permanent in this important market and increase our market share. We aim to grow with our new facility and to cross the borders. Located in the heart of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, Turkey has a key importance in terms of opening up to new markets."Schmitz Cargobull aims to bring together the product groups integrated to the Turkish trailer market with the sector. The factory, in which four different product groups will be produced, is established on an area of 20,000 square meters, including a closed area of 8,800 square meters.

Schmitz Cargobull CSO and board member Boris Billich also said they were happy to be closer to their customers in the region with the opening of the Sakarya factory.

"For Schmitz Cargobull, all of southwest Europe and especially Turkey is extremely important for growth. We aim to increase our market share in Turkey to 30 percent in the medium term. The transport sector has a great growth potential in terms of the region," he said.

Lastly, Schmitz Cargobull Turkey's General Manager Mishevski stated that a 5,500-square-meter building was reserved for production only, after-sales services and spare parts services, including trailer services, will be provided in another other building on the same premises. He also said the secondhand service is also found in the factory and that the nine existing authorized services in Turkey are planned to be increased to 25 in the near future.