Turkish employee now employer at German company he once worked for
by Anadolu Agency
Nov 03, 2016 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by Anadolu Agency
Nov 03, 2016 12:00 am
Salih Taşdirek, a Turkish businessman who bought the well-established German company, Erbacher-Kolb, where he worked as an employee, is offering smart key and lock systems to many important clients, including the European Central Bank (ECB).
It has been 55 years since Turks started migrating to Germany with wooden suitcases in their hands following the Labor Recruitment Agreement which was signed between Turkey and Germany on Oct. 30, 1961.
Since Turks moved to Germany as guest workers, they have made significant contributions to the German labor force and economy. They have gained ground in many areas of the German business world. Salih Taşdirek, who migrated to Germany from Nevşehir with his father in 1980, is one of those Turks who have an active part in this world.
The 53-year-old businessman who lives in Frankfurt said they worked under harsh conditions with his father at that time. He got a start in the business life by learning German at a language course for 250 Deutsche marks a month.
"I think it was a great investment in me that my father paid 250 Deutsche marks every month to send me to a language course. Had I not learned German, I would not have found a job, could not have become the vice chairman of the Hanau Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the president of the House of Foreigners, and could not have had a certain position in the society," Taşdirek said.
Pointing to the significance of German in the business world, Taşdirek said learning the language was the first key to success in his life.
In 1989, Taşdirek got a job as a worker at the German Erbacher-Kolb company which produces keys, locks, smart key systems, electronic locks, card entrance systems and security systems. He worked 14 years for the company.
I worked there as if it was my own company," he said.
After the 85-year-old company faced economic troubles in 2003, he purchased it from its German owner. By combining the company's acquired wisdom with Turkish ingenuity, the company soon achieved a significant level of success and was now able to compete with other strong companies in the sector.
According to Taşdirek, Erbacher-Kolb, which had been known as a German company in markets, caused distress among its rivals after it was bought by a Turkish entrepreneur. Following the sale, rival companies raised difficulties for Taşdirek, who continued to buy goods from the same production factory under the same conditions as before. However, the factory was inclined to increase its prices because of pressure imposed by Erbacher-Kolb's rivals.
Taşdirek stated they are capable of competing with German companies, adding that they install smart key and lock systems for many important institutions, including the ECB, police stations, hospitals, private banks and many skyscrapers in Frankfurt. Erbacher-Kolb is one of the three leading companies in the sector in the state of Hesse.
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