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WELTWEIT
VBH Turkey is the Bridge Between
Europe and Asia
Ahmet Abat
Turkey is one of the most attractive
growing markets and an important
bridge between Europe and Asia and
the neighbouring countries in the
Middle East. In the beginning of 2009
VBH Holding AG became majority
owner with 65 percent of Winkhaus
A.S. in Istanbul.
The entry into the Turkish windows and
doors market was well-planned – presently
there is no country in Europe with
such opportunities for growth. The decision
was made due to the increasing
demand for housing space with an annual
requirement of about 400,000 apartments.
Besides tourism and the textile
industry, the building sector is one of the
leading branches in Turkey. Thanks to
comprehensive programmes of reform
the country survived the crisis in good
condition as confirmed by numerous new
projects like shopping centres, hospitals,
East and west, old and new in Istanbul
sports facilities and refurbishments. Furthermore
Turkey is, due its central position,
not only the geographical but also
the cultural bridge between Europe, Central
Asia and the Middle East, between
orient and occident. Turkey is a welcome
trading partner in the neighbouring countries
Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Syria and
a starting point for the opening of new
markets. “The share of exports to the
Middle East and Turkey is extraordinary
high”, confirms Andrea Akuzun, International
Task Force Manager of VBH.
“Meanwhile the sales in Middle East and
Central Asia are 35 percent of the total
sales of our Turkish subsidiary.” Partners
in Iran and Azerbaijan promote the entry
into the markets of this region.
Andrea Akuzun
Interface between Orient and
Occident
Presently 46 people are working for
VBH Kapı ve Pencere Türkei, seated in
Istanbul. The premise of the company
comprises 2,000 sq office and 3,000 sq
storage space on the European sector
with a further affiliate on the Asian sector
of the city. The affiliate in Izmir supplies
the Aegean region and for the coming year
further affiliates in Central and East Anatolia
are in the pipeline.
Together with fellow partner and managing
director Ahmet Zeki Abat, VBH plans
a further enlargement of the product and
service range for the coming years. Besides
the product range of traditional
plastic windows, new solutions for wooden
and wood/aluminium interior doors already
complete the assortment.
14 VBH Magazin 03/2010