Turkey is currently developing into one of the most important locations for the commercial road transport industry. Due to a growth rate of just under nine per cent in 2010, almost all well-known European manufacturers of trailing equipment have already built up their production capacities at the Bosporus or plan to do so.
In July, German company SAF-Holland has strengthened its business in Turkey through the foundation of SAF Otomotiv, a regional company based in Istanbul. Mustafa Kasimli, who previously worked for automotive supplier ZF in Turkey, is the company’s General Manager.
“In line with our growth strategy, we intend to always be close to our most important customers. Founding a Turkish subsidiary is therefore a logical step”, said Detlef Borghardt, CEO of SAF-Holland. To service the Middle East and North Africa, SAF-Holland also opened a subsidiary in Dubai. Marc Rauchmann, who previously worked for the company’s aftermarket business unit, was appointed new Managing Director.
“With the new regional setup in Turkey and Dubai, our customers will have the opportunity to communicate in their native language and access local training facilities, enjoy local business hours, and local ways of working with quick reactions to customer requests,” said Alexander Geis, President of the SAF-Holland Aftermarket Business Unit.