Katmerciler Araç Üstü Ekipman A.Ş.

TURKEY’S NEW FIRE TRUCK PRODUCTION BASE: GIMKAT

Katmerciler’s Chairman of Board of Directors Mehmet Katmerci (left) and Gimaex Group Chairman of Board of Directors Philippe Mis (right).

KATMERCİLER’S SKILL AND CAPACITY COMBINED WITH FRENCH COMPANY GIMAEX INTERNATIONAL’S TECHNOLOGICAL POWER AND AS A RESULT, THE ON BOARD EQUIPMENT SECTOR ATTAINED ONE MORE HUGE FACILITY. GIMKAT, WHICH WILL TRANSFORM İZMIR INTO REGIONAL FIRE TRUCK PRODUCTION CENTER, OPERATES PARTICULARLY EXPORT ORIENTED.

 

KATMERCİLER in line with its public listing undertook a brand new mission: becoming a regional power in the on board equipment sector. Katmerciler, as the export leader of the sector, works for carrying its title to international scale and becoming a regional power. Without losing time it took a big step last year. Katmerciler, with experience of over 25 years and as leader and pioneer company of the sector, established GimKat with partnership of French company Gimaex International, one of the senior fire truck producers in the world.

 

GimKat, which began operation and production in January 2012, represents a major leap forward in Katmerciler’s growth plan within regional fire truck and equipment markets. By means of this partnership with European scale fire truck company Gimaex, we will introduce new and advanced technology to Turkey and produce also some new models.

 

PARTNERSHIP OF TECHNOLOGY, SKILL AND CAPACITY

Thanks to the combination of Gimaex’s technological power with Katmerciler’s superior skill and capacity in the area of productions and regional marketing, GimKat becomes more assertive in regional markets of fire fighting equipment. This emerging collobration will not only strengthen the positions of both companies in existing markets but also open the door to new markets as well.

Katmerciler invested 6 million dollars in this new production plant. GimKat’s factory is operating next to Katmerciler’s factory in an area of 17,052 square meter of which 10,000 square meter part is covered. While unemployment is one of the biggest problems of our country, in addition of our 300 employees we are creating 100 more direct job opportunities gradually till the end of the year. GimKat, established with 50-50 percent partnership, is focusing on fire fighting vehicles production. According to its goal to make Izmir regional production and export center, GimKat’s management center is also in Izmir. GimKat will export to Middle East, African countries, Russia, Central Asia, Balkans and even to South American countries.

 

VIA GIMKAT, EXPORT LEVEL WILL RISE

Katmerciler’s General Director and Chairman of Board of Directors Mehmet Katmerci emphasized its export figures while explaining the company’s vision: ‘’Katmerciler, which was established in 1985, had an experience exceeding 25 years and went public in 2010, exports own manufactured vehicles to 42 countries. We are export leader of our sector.’’

He added: ‘’By 2010 end, export income was 17 million USD and had a share of 42 percent in revenues. By 2011 end, export income increased to 20 million dollars and its share in reveues raised to 64 percent. Thanks to GimKat our export income will surge further ahead, our company’s position in international markets will consolidate prominently.

 

Mehmet Katmerci explained GimKat’s contribution to te sector and to the country: ‘’It will bring in Gimaex’s use of advanced technology and diverse production ability to our country. It will become producer of firefighting vehicles which are not yet produced in Turkey. By joining the forces, both Gimaex and Katmerciler consolidate their position in existing markets and open doors to new markets. İzmir will become international production and export base of firefighting vehicles and equipments. While unemployment is one of the biggest problems of the country, in addition of our 320 employees creating 100 more direct employment opportunities make us especially happy. In near future in line with our production and capacity growth we are planning also job growth. As the leader of on board equipment sector we are trying to represent Turkey and İzmir in the best way at international markets.’’

 

GIMKAT AT A GLANCE

• GimKat named after the combination of first three letters of Gimaex and Katmerciler.

• The company was established with 50-50 share partnership of Gimaex and Katmerciler.

• GimKat on board equipment company operates in a plant built next to Katmerciler’s existing factory in İzmir Atatürk Organized Industrial Zone.

• The company focuses particularly on fire fight vehicle production and positions İzmir as the regional growth center. İzmir will become both Katmerciler’s and GimKat’s managemant, production and export center.

• Katmerciler realized 6 million USD investment in this production center.

• The company is active on an area of 17,052 square meter, of which 10,000 square meter part is covered.

• With the new company 100 more direct jobs will be created by the end of 2012.

 

"BOTH GIMAEX AND KATMERCİLER WILL WIN"

As Mehmet Katmerci told us, GimKat wiil be focusing also diverse vehicles production. Among them will be new models like high ladder fire truck, airport fire truck, which are not yet produced in Turkey. These products will meet the necessities of Turkey without requiring import and strengthen Katmerciler’s hand in international markets.

 

There are a lot of advantages to work together on this with Gimaex, since its quality is internationally proved. On the other hand, also Gimaex enjoys the opprtunities of working with a power like Katmerciler. Mehmet Katmerci said that, French company is very impressed with Katmerciler’s employee and managemant quality, long term expertise and experience, under single roof turnkey production ability, after sales service, marketing in national and international scale and sales power. Gimaex Group’s Chairman of Directors’ Board Philippe Mis confirmed him: ‘’We are very happy to be partners with a company like Katmerciler, which produce vehicles that circulate 42 countries, is pioneer and leader of its sector, don’t compromise from quality, is credible, open to public and transparent.’’ Mis emphasized also the strategic importance of the new company: ‘’Katmerciler is already very effective in internatinal markets with its wide range products.

Our joint company is going to focus entirely fire fighting equipment production and to produce mainly for foreign markets. GimKat will grasp a dominant position in international markets of fire fighting equipments thanks to the strong sinergy created by the combination of Gimaex’s technological power and Katmerciler’s outstanding production skills and capacity. Both Gimaex and Katmerciler will benefit from the new joint company. We are very excited for the start up of production by October 2011."

 

Also Katmerciler’s Deputy Chairman of Directors’ Board Furkan Katmerci pointed out to the year 2015 as the target of this bold step: ‘’Among our primary objectives are making Katmerciler a well known brand in the world by becoming dominant in regional fire fight and garbage equipment markets, especially in Middle East and North Africa.’’ GimKat, which was brought in action in 2011, represents a major milestone in Katmerciler’s future strategies.

 

ABOUT GIMAEX...

Gimaex International is one of the biggest producers of fire fighting equipment in Europe. It is established by merging of two French companies, rescue equipment producer Bemaex and firefight equipment producer Gicar. Also its name is the composition if these two names. In 2004 firefight ladder producer Riffaud and Germany’s special equipment producer Scmitz were brought into the group. Today Gimaex operates with 370 employees and 110 million euros revenues. As the leader of the sector in France, it exports equipments all around the world as well. 60 percent of the sales are made outside France.