National Associations Turkey: Özkayan becomes president of MİB

During its meeting held on 2 April 2016 in İstanbul, the MİB's (Makina İmalatçıları Birliği, The Association of Turkish Machine Manufacturers) 14th general assembly elected Ahmet Özkayan as President.

The Election

During its meeting with the theme “New Machinery Industry, Producing New Technology and Preparing For Industry 4.0” on 2 April 2016 in İstanbul, the MİB’s 14th General Assembly elected Ahmet Özkayan as President of MİB for a period of two years. Özkayan will be serving for MİB with the elected other eight board members: S. Emre Gencer - E-Mak Makina (Vice Chairman), Ender Yılmaz - Yılmaz Redüktör (Vice Chairman) , Mustafa Erol - Törk Makina (Treasurer) , Mustafa Kılıç - Erkekoğlu Pres (Secretary) , M. Selçuk Ataseven - Değirmen Makina (Member) , Hakan Altınay - Altınay Robotik (Member) , Aslı, Saraçoğlu Özer - Sarmak Makina (Member) , Burç Angan - Hür-Mak (Member).

Who is Özkayan?

Özkayan, born in 1971 and MBA graduate, started business life at his own family company from the workshop, and assigned to different levels of the company by internalizing machine production. Today Özkayan is vice president of the members of the board of ERMAKSAN and the general manager of the company. He is also the general manager of ErmakUSA, whose headquarter is in Chicago, and the general manager of ENA Optoelectronics, which produces semiconductor Technologies.

About MİB

MİB, established in 1990 as a non-governmental organization, currently has over 170 member companies and is representing not only machine tool manufacturers, but also various companies manufacturing a wide range of general machineries, machine parts, accessories and cutting tools. Companies in the MİB structure performed more than 60% of the Turkish machinery exports in 2014 and 2015. The machine manufacturing industry has particular importance for Turkey, due to its promising development and export potential. MİB plays a significant role in the development and growth of the machinery sector. It encourages manufacturers to participate in various international fairs and exhibitions staged abroad and in Turkey to integrate them to the global world market. It also urges manufacturers to conforming to the EU’s essential health and safety requirements for machinery, related with the harmonization works in line between Turkey and EU. MİB is a member of CECIMO (European Association for the Machine Tool Industries) since November 1999 and PNEUROP (European Committee of Manufacturers of Compressors, Vacuum Pumps, Pneumatic Tools and Allied Equipment) since May 2005. MİB has very close relations with similar associations and institutions throughout the world as well as in Turkey and it also maintains permanent connections with the state bureaucracy. It actively participates, promotes and supports members’ activities in production and export. It also tries to enhance the common benefits of all sector companies. It protects members’ rights and as a result of this, generates solutions for the problems encountered by members.

Sevda Kayahan Yılmaz, Former President of MİB, held the opening speech of general assembly and stated that the export of machinery contracted in 2015. Yılmaz pointed out the problems of the machine industry, which are due to the used machinery import, and she explained that the former board during her presidency conveyed the problem to the related authorities, requested from them not to incite the import of used machinery, and promised to follow their action. Kayahan talked about the activities realized in the last two years with an emphasis on the international fairs they had partaken in as the Turkish Machinery Group, and the barter agreements made with the fair companies. Then Kayahan explained their efforts for the foundation of MAKFED (Makina İmalat Sanayi Dernekleri Federasyonu – Turkish Machinery Federation), which they believe is very important for representing the machine industry better. After she explaned the reports prepared by MİB related to various machine industry groups, investment incitement, production reform, standards etc., Kayahan gave some details about discussions with governmental authorities solving the problems of machine manufacturers.

After his election at the general assembly of MİB, the new President Özkayan made a short speech and stated, that the machine industry has a more difficult and disciplined structure compared to other industries. Pointing out the second rank of machinery and related equipment industries in worldwide product exports, Özkayan talked about the importance of machine manufacturing, which speeds up the transition period between the use of technology and the emerging of the production power in wide ranged industries such as defense, medicine etc. He stated that the machine manufactory industry, which has the capacity of R&D and engineering, is the only one able to make the transformation to high technology. Özkayan pointed out that Turkey must grow through producing and that the machine industry will be the most supporting industry to succeed. Özkayan emphasized the necessity to increase the incitements to the machine industry and to position the machine industry as a private important one. He then explained their master plan for MİB actions.

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