The Second Izmir Global Aerospace and Offset Conference, Held at the Aegean Free Zone Technology Center
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, ESBAŞ Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Kaya Tuncer stated that they wanted to attract high technology investments to the region and to this end had given emphasis on activities in the aviation and aerospace industry. Expressing the view that they had worked for 20 years in expanding industry in Turkey and had obtained important results. Mr. Tuncer underlined the following: “The number of ESBAŞ employees has risen to 17.000, we expect this figure to rise to 20.000 in the next 18 months and at a later date we want to see it increase to 30,000 employees. Together with the investments from the Municipality we can expect it to rise to 35.000. We want to attract foreign technical knowledge and create employment opportunities for youth.
Turkey aims to produce 50% of its armaments domestically and in this regard the Turkish firms will be pioneers. We will see this happening shortly. For example, the Kale Group and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney will invest in the Aegean Free Zone. Lastly we signed an agreement with a large American engine company, Cummins Engine. This investment will also be a large investment.”
Mr. Tuncer explained that they had formed an aviation and aerospace clustering association in Izmir, had signed agreements with leading clusterings in Europe and had established direct contact with more than 500 firms.
A total of 63 speakers gave presentations at the conference of which 23 were foreign speakers. In addition, TAI, TEI, Havelsan, Roketsan, Kale Aero, Alp Havacılık, STM, Milsoft, Sikorsky, Fokker Elmo, Alenia Aeronautica, Boeing, EADS, Lockheed Martin, PWF and Attar company officials participated as audiences to the conference.
On the second day of the conference, the opening of the “Aircraft Technologies” program by the Aegean Vocational School of Higher Education of the Aegean University supported by ESBAŞ took place with the participation of the Minister of National Defence Mr. Vecdi Gönül. The project market realized by EBILTEM on the last day of the conference brought together approximately 70 project owners and entrepreneurs.
New Investments
Among the new investments announced at the conference was the F-135 engine parts facility by Kale Aero and Pratt & Whitney of the United States on an area of 46,000 m² which would provide employment for 600 individuals.
Thefirst investment announcement made of the US engine giant Cummins Engine was that it would take place in the Aegean Free Zone on a 100,000 m² area with 900 employees that would manufacture filters and generators for the automotive sector. With emphasis on manufacturing to the Middle East and European markets, the company would in later stages undertake their purchases domestically. It was noted that the company wanted to commence with investments within a short period of time and planned to start production on 1 October 2011.
In the gala dinner as part of the conference, a plaque was presented as honorary members to the former Minister of State Mr. Kürşad Tüzmen, ESBAŞ Chairman of the Board Mr. Kaya Tuncer, SSM Undersecretary Mr. Murad Bayar, Gaziemir Mayor Mr. Halil İbrahim Şenol, the President of the Aegean University Mr. Candeğer Yılmaz, SSM Head of Industry Department Mrs. Nuran İnci and to the Aviation and Aerospace Clustering Association. In addition, Boeing Turkey President Mr. Greg Pepin was awarded a plaque for the contributions he has made to the Turkish aerospace industry by the conference organization committee.
