Yeşilova Group, one of Turkey’s long-established industrial groups operating in the fields of aluminium extrusion, automotive supply industry, rail system solutions, high-pressure casting and tourism, held a press conference to mark its 50th anniversary. At the meeting held at the Holiday Inn Bursa City Centre, Chairman of the Board Ali İhsan Yeşilova, Chief Executive Officer Yalçın Yeşilova, and Board Members Yasemin Yeşilova and Nezihe Yeşilova shared the group’s history, production operations, social contributions, and future strategies.
“It all began with the words ‘Come with me’”
Beginning his remarks at the conference with the words, ‘It all began with the phrase “Come with me”,’ Ali İhsan Yeşilova, Chairman of the Board Yeşilova Group, shared the story of this long journey, which began in 1975 with a small aluminium shop opened on Gazcılar Street in Bursa at his father’s suggestion:
“As a young man who entered the workforce at the age of 19, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our Group’s success on this journey that began with my father’s guidance. I started my working life in January 1974 in a small aluminium profile shop in Bursa. I did every job, from shop assistant to tea service to sales, and about a year later I became the owner of that shop. That is how the Yeşilova story began. I am immensely proud that the Yeşilova brand, which has grown over the years in various industrial sectors, now represents our country on a global scale through successful partnerships. I would like to thank all my colleagues who uphold our values and principles and enhance our reputation, as well as all our employees who have worked hard from the past to the present, our stakeholders who empower us with their support, and my family who has always been by my side on this journey.
Following the founding company Can Aluminium’s first step focused on customer satisfaction, the industrialisation process within the group began in the late 1980s. Over the years, a broad portfolio of activities was established, ranging from automotive to high-pressure casting, extrusion to rail systems. Today, Yeşilova Group is one of Turkey’s major industrial groups, with nine companies, 2,000 employees, production bases in Bursa, and a commercial structure in Germany.
Sustainability and technology: ready for the future
Speaking at the press conference, CEO Yalçın Yeşilova outlined the company’s position and vision in today’s world, where aluminium has become a strategic material, with the following words:
“Yeşilova’s history is a half-century-long story of transformation based on innovation and sustainability. We have been growing with aluminium at our core for half a century. We draw strength from our past and move forward with confidence into the future. We are investing in the future of aluminium. Today, aluminium is not just an industrial input; it is a strategic material that shapes the lifestyle of the future. While approximately 72 million tonnes of primary aluminium are produced annually on a global scale, this figure is expected to exceed 100 million tonnes by 2050. Secondary aluminium production, which stands at 42 million tonnes, is expected to exceed 90 million tonnes.
Yalçın Yeşilova stated that the group’s extrusion capacity has increased from 30,000 tonnes to 50,000 tonnes over the past five years, while production volume in the automotive sector has doubled and tripled in rail systems. He added, “We are driven by a vision that goes beyond production; it is built on innovation, sustainability, and making a difference in human resources. We are the only Turkish aluminium company that focuses on the mobility sectors and designs and manufactures end-to-end solutions. In Europe, we are one of eight companies with this expertise. We produce precision-tolerance, special alloy and high-quality products in extrusion and casting. We are one of only three companies in Europe that produce aluminium profiles and cast parts under one roof and possess the technology to combine them. We are a strategic partner to the world’s leading train manufacturers, exporting to five continents in the rail systems sector. Furthermore, Yeşilova is responsible for the design, production, and assembly of all internal components for Turkey’s high-speed train project.
Yalçın Yeşilova stated that with the GES investments made in the last two years, the group has reduced its energy intensity by 31%, its emission intensity by 29%, and achieved 45% efficiency in water usage. He added that the group is progressing in a planned and programmed manner towards its 2045 Net Zero Emissions target.
A Pioneer in Social Contribution and Corporate Culture
Board Member Yasemin Yeşilova provided information about Yeşilova Group’s work in the areas of social responsibility and corporate culture at the meeting:
“Environmentalism, Equality, Transparency and Innovation are not only our corporate values; they are also our philosophy of life. In line with our priorities to empower and support women in the workplace, we are taking significant steps towards gender equality with our Work-Life Balance project. As part of this project, we have been implementing policies to increase female employment since 2022. Over the past five years, the proportion of female employees has increased by 34%, while the proportion of women in managerial and senior positions has increased by 127%.
Yasemin Yeşilova stated that they have increased social added value through the “Need Leave” application developed for female employees, the Yeşilova Summits organised for young people, the “Aluminium is not Rubbish” awareness campaign, recycling projects, and collaborations with BUİKAD, LÖSEV, and the Mor Salkım Association. ‘We touch the lives of nearly 10,000 people, including our approximately 2,000 employees and their families. We do not just manufacture products; we take concrete steps towards social sustainability,’ she said.