Turkey’s İŞBİR ELEKTRİK Works Toward a Future with 100% Domestically Produced Generators

Entering the sector 41 years ago, İŞBİR Elektrik Sanayi A.Ş. opened Turkey’s “First Generator Factory” and has been the domestic manufacturer of high-power alternators. Established in 1977 with the partnership of Turkish workers employed in foreign countries, the company’s name “İŞBİR” was inspired from the words “İşçi Birliği” (Worker’s Union). Conducting its activities under the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation (TSKGV) since 1988, İŞBİR is one of the 6 affiliated partners under the auspices of the TSKGV and 99.85% capital of which belongs to the TSKGV. Its main areas of activity are the design, development, manufacturing, test activities, certification, qualification and logistical support for generators, alternators, generator sets, distribution boards and convertors. 

Today İŞBİR has reached a point where they are assuming critical roles in numerous projects that are being conducted in the Turkish defence and aerospace industry. 

Generator sets of the ground systems of all unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) utilized by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) are being manufactured by İŞBİR. Within the scope of the production of the generator sets of UAVs, all the generators of the ANKA systems manufactured by TUSAŞ, BAYRAKTAR TB2 manufactured by Baykar Makina and KARAYEL system produced by Vestel Savunma are being manufactured with the designs of İŞBİR engineers and the labor of the company’s technicians and workers and then are introduced to the service of the TAF and Security Forces.

• The production of the Trailed Generators of 2x15 kVA power planned to be utilized in the Tactical Site Communication Systems (TASMUS) as part of the demand of the Land Forces Command; the 2x15 kVA generators manufactured within the scope of the Fire Support Automation Project (ADOP); the 2x13 kVA Dual Generators utilized in the Mobile High Frequency Direction Finding and Monitoring Systems; Synchronous generators in various powers manufactured for the Temporary Base Regions; 2x25 kVA Dual Generators to be utilized in the Border Security Project and 2x13 kVA Auto Back - Up generators used as part of the Wireless System Project continues.

MILGEM generators delivered to the Naval Forces Command continued with the third vessel of the project the BURGAZADA and fourth vessel KINALIADA and the generators of the aforesaid vessels were manufactured by İŞBİR as well. The generators of BURGAZADA were launched and their Port Tests were accomplished in October 2017. Manufacturing activities of the 4x750 kVA generators to be used in the Test and Measuring Vessel (TVEG) were also completed and such generators were delivered. 

İŞBİR Expanding with its Targets

İŞBİR has also been organizing workshops in addition to its manufacturing activities to gather the ecosystem and for gauging the developments in the sector. The first workshop with the theme of “Generators and Energy Systems” was held at the end of 2016. One of the targets identified during this workshop was the expansion of the facility and the establishment of a new factory to that end. The ground plot of the factory was purchased, and its architectural project was prepared. Soon the tender for its construction will be held. The benches planned to be utilized in the new factory were identified and the market research in the country and in foreign countries for them was completed. The production activities at the new factory where the aforesaid benches will be utilized are planned to be launched by the end of 2019.

Another objective of İŞBİR was to establish an R&D center within the facility. This objective was achieved as the preparations for the İŞBİR R&D center was completed with the registration of it as Turkey’s 462nd R&D center on 9 May 2017.

The activities towards increasing the alternator diversity which has been amongst İŞBİR’s targets were accomplished and the aforesaid target was achieved through the extension of the alternator product group. The activities regarding alternator diversity will continue in line with new technological developments.

İŞBİR achieved all its targets identified during its first workshop. The 2nd Generators and Energy Systems Workshop was held with the theme of alternators in March. This workshop addressed large masses with the participation of esteemed faculty members of universities, business partners such as Aselsan and Roketsan, services and dealers and the first target identified during this workshop is to become the sole manufacturer of alternators in Turkey’s generator market. Almost all, of the generator manufacturers in the country import the alternators and İŞBİR aims to have a say in this market as well by increasing its capacity and quality and by reducing its costs. One of its most critical targets after achieving this is to take part among the world’s few alternator manufacturers. 

The very first product of the R&D activities conducted by İŞBİR has been Turkey’s first “Silent Tactical Generator”. Having fulfilled a critical requirement, İŞBİR takes justified pride in manufacturing the tactical silent generators with power capacities of 5-10-20-30 kW and receiving the patent for them. The manufacturing of the 5 kW Single, 20 kW Single, 2x20 kW Dual, 30 kW Single and 2x30 kW Dual Tactical Silent Generators continue as part of defence industry projects. The next goal of İŞBİR is to develop and manufacture silent tactical generators with various power capacities. Presently, the activities over the 50 kVA continue. Production of generators up to 500 kVAs is planned for the coming period. In addition to the indigenous products developed by the R&D center and the modernization projects being conducted, activities continue regarding the cogeneration systems as part of the multiple power operation principle from a single source and the design of the generators and alternators that can be utilized in new generation hybrid systems which shall also directly contribute to the defence industry.

İŞBİR’s main target is to directly contribute to the country’s economy and in this direction manufacture 100% domestic generators with the highest rate of added value. In order to be able to achieve this, İŞBİR launched activities for the utilization of domestic engines in its generators. With the help of these types of activities and partnerships, it aims to achieve a direct contribution to the country’s economy through manufacturing 100% domestic generators in the near future.

The same today as it was yesterday, İŞBİR will continue to have justified pride in manufacturing the generators required by both public institutions and private enterprises as well as the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkish Nation with its existing know how, experienced staff and technological infrastructure.