Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ Chairman Direnç Özdemir: We Will Realize 12 Billion Dollars of Production

Setting out with the principles of being domestic, innovative, green, high-tech, and lean (5Y), Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ, which is on its way to becoming Turkey’s most comprehensive organized industrial zone, aims to realize an annual production of 12 billion dollars, 4 billion dollars of which will be exports. Stating that Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ will be Turkey's first new-generation production hub, Chairman of the Board Direnç Özdemir announced that the 1st phase will become operational in mid-2022.

The economic contribution figures for the Yalova Machinery Specialized Organized Industrial Zone, whose first section will be completed in mid-2022, have been revealed. In the OIZ, which will host 304 participants, an annual production of 12 billion dollars will be realized, including 4 billion dollars in exports. Noting that Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ is one of the first representatives of a new-generation organized industrial zone that produces high technology, is environmentally conscious, innovative, acts alongside academia, and features rich social facilities and R&D offices, Chairman Direnç Özdemir said: “Apart from the known OIZs in Yalova, an organized industrial zone that will set an example for the world is rising.

This model will both be exported to the world and contribute to the development and transformation of existing OIZs in Turkey. For the first time in Turkey, an OIZ is being established where, in addition to factories, R&D centers, a free zone, and public campuses, there is its own dam, museum, art square, university campus, technopark, green areas and parks, solar power plant, and even silkworm breeding. With the completion of the first phase, we will reach a production power of 12 billion dollars. Exports will account for 4 billion dollars of this figure. Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ, which has 304 participants, has already reached a 90 percent occupancy rate.”

Minister Varank Attaches Great Importance

Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank also attaches special importance to Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ, which is expected to be a first in Turkey with its structure and operational model. Minister Varank, who has closely followed the processes since the first signatures were signed, visited the Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ to closely observe the works and share his experiences. Varank, who also participated in the protocol regarding the establishment of the Yalova University Mechanical Engineering Department within the Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ, pioneered the processes of the Technology Development Zone and the Test and Calibration Center to be established in the OIZ, in addition to education.

The Heart of Academia Will Beat at Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ

Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ, which will commence its activities in the middle of next year, also attaches great importance to industry-academia collaboration. Within this scope, according to the protocol signed with Yalova University, the buildings for the Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, and Industrial Engineering departments will be built inside the Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ. Stating that there are excellent examples of industry-academia collaboration around the world, Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ Chairman Direnç Özdemir said, "With the participation of our Minister of Industry and Technology, Mustafa Varank, we signed the protocol between the parties for the establishment of faculty buildings within the OIZ. As the OIZ Management, we will cover all the costs of the faculty buildings, construct them, and hand them over to our university for educational purposes."

A Special Test and Calibration Center is Being Established for the Transportation Sector

Expressing that there will be 2 important facilities needed by industrialists in Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ, where construction and infrastructure works are ongoing, Direnç Özdemir stated that they will establish a Test and Calibration Center for the transportation sector in cooperation with the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE). Özdemir also mentioned that they will establish a Technology Development Zone (TGB). Noting that the TSE laboratory to be established will provide major support to R&D processes, Direnç Özdemir drew attention to the fact that, in addition to the time spent developing a new product, proving whether this product meets national and international norms through scientific methods will have countless contributions to the market and productivity. Emphasizing that they will jointly bring a new national value to Turkey with TSE, Direnç Özdemir shared the information that the cost of the Test and Calibration Center is approximately 15 million liras.

Yalova Teknopark Received Great Interest from Industrialists

Yalova Teknopark, located within the Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ, was announced by the Presidential Decree dated November 25, 2020, and completed its process of becoming a joint-stock company as of July 27, 2021. The works in the 1st phase of Yalova Teknopark are expected to begin in 2022 by hosting incubators, pre-incubators, and entrepreneurs in 36 offices within a 3,600-square-meter indoor area designated as the university campus. In the 1st phase, which has reached a 100 percent occupancy rate, the sector distribution was 45 percent software, 20 percent defense industry, 20 percent electronics and communication, 10 percent machinery industry, and 5 percent green technologies.

"Yalova Teknopark was planned as a project that will serve in 2 different locations and 2 different models, considering the needs and demands of the region it is located in," said Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ Chairman Direnç Özdemir, sharing the following information about the 2nd phase: "The second phase works will be a technology center where R&D meets production, hosting R&D and commercialization works focused on production topics rather than software, in horizontal architecture at the Yalova Machinery Specialized OIZ campus.