EFG Elektrik is preparing to become the first company from Diyarbakır to go public

EFG Elektrik is preparing to become the first company from Diyarbakır to go public

EFG Elektrik, which was founded and has grown in Diyarbakır and continues to operate there, is on track to become the first company from Diyarbakır to go public in its 10th year. Mehmet Arif Üçer, General Manager of EFG Elektrik Enerji A.Ş., stated in an exclusive assessment of the process provided to our newspaper, “This step is an important and encouraging development not only for our company but also for the region’s industrial sector.”

Sibel Acar – Ankara

EFG Elektrik, which entered the industry in 2015 with a total production area of 12,000 square meters and moved to its new 30,000-square-meter factory in 2019, focuses on manufacturing equipment that ensures the safe and uninterrupted distribution of electricity, producing critical components such as medium-voltage modular cells, concrete substations, and switching devices.

The company has been able to turn the challenges posed by its geographic location into opportunities; has positioned itself among the sector’s leading companies by channeling the difficulties it faced in sourcing many necessary products—due to the southeastern region’s less developed industrial base compared to western regions—into enhancing its own production capabilities.

Mehmet Arif Üçer, General Manager of EFG Elektrik Enerji A.Ş., shared exclusive and important insights about the company’s success story with our newspaper’s reporter, Sibel Acar.

Mehmet Arif Üçer, General Manager of EFG Elektrik Enerji A.Ş.:

Could you briefly tell us about the EFG Elektrik story? What sets your company apart?

We began our operations in 2015 as Astor Energy Limited Company. We entered the sector with a total production area of 12,000 square meters, including 5,000 square meters of covered space, in Diyarbakır. We established our position in the energy sector by initially manufacturing monoblock concrete substations and medium-voltage modular cells. During this period, we sourced key components—such as SF₆-gas-insulated circuit breakers, SF₆-gas-insulated disconnectors, and load break switches—from external suppliers. Deciding to expand over time, we moved to our new 30,000-square-meter factory in 2019, 21,000 square meters of which is covered space. In this new phase, we set out with the goal of reducing our reliance on external suppliers by prioritizing R&D efforts. We have now begun manufacturing many of the components we previously sourced in-house. By developing our production infrastructure, we have succeeded in both improving quality and achieving an independent and flexible structure within our supply chain. As a result, we have significantly shortened our delivery times by accelerating production.

One of the key factors that sets us apart is our ability to turn the challenges posed by our geographic location into opportunities. Although the less developed state of industry in the Southeastern Anatolia Region compared to western regions made it difficult for us to source many of the products we needed, this situation motivated us to develop our own production capabilities. Today, thanks to our quality, speed, R&D capabilities, and robust production infrastructure, we rank among the leading companies in the sector.

At EFG Elektrik, we take pride in being a brand that was born and raised in Diyarbakır. Our goal is to elevate our country to a stronger position in the global energy sector and to add value to our nation and country by developing innovative, value-added products.

“OUR GOAL IS TO GENERATE 30 PERCENT OF OUR SALES FROM EXPORTS”

Which of your products do you plan to export in 2025–2026? What are the features of the products and platforms you produce?

We currently export to seven countries, and our relationships with these countries continue to develop within a framework of mutual satisfaction. Our goal is to generate 30 percent of our sales from exports. We plan to achieve this ratio in the medium to long term; in fact, based on the discussions we’ve had and the contracts we’ve signed over the past year, this ratio could even reach 40 percent. We are currently in contact with various countries and companies, and we expect a significant increase in exports in the near future.

Our medium-voltage modular cells are designed for both indoor and outdoor applications and offer flexible configuration options. The most important features of our products are their durability, high safety standards, and modular design, which allows them to be adapted to various projects. By manufacturing to high-quality standards, we provide long-lasting and reliable solutions. In addition, we are constantly improving our products through our own R&D efforts to reduce dependence on foreign-sourced critical equipment used in the energy sector.

Looking at our platforms, we can say that we offer solutions specifically for energy transmission and distribution systems. Our products have a wide range of applications, from urban power grids to industrial facilities, and from solar power plants to infrastructure projects. Furthermore, thanks to our new investments and R&D efforts, we aim to expand our product portfolio even further. In particular, we are continuing our efforts to develop smart grid solutions and products focused on renewable energy. By 2026, we plan to secure a stronger position in the global market with a broader product portfolio for our exports.

“WE’VE MANAGED TO STAND OUT IN THE INDUSTRY BY BUILDING A SELF-SUFFICIENT STRUCTURE”

You recently celebrated your 10th anniversary. In these 10 years, how far has the company come in terms of economic performance and growth?

Over the past 10 years, we’ve undergone a significant transformation as a company. With the major investment we made in 2019, we expanded our production area to 30,000 square meters. While sourcing the majority of our product portfolio—which consists of approximately 12,000 different raw materials and semi-finished products—we brought our production processes in-house through substantial investments in high-speed machinery and advanced automation systems. We have largely eliminated quality issues stemming from semi-finished products sourced from various suppliers by integrating production lines—such as CNC machining, electrogalvanizing, silver plating, laser cutting, and an epoxy resin facility—into our company. As a result, by establishing a self-sufficient structure spanning the entire process from raw materials to the final product, we have become one of the leading companies in the industry.

This growth was not limited to our production capacity; we also made significant progress in terms of employment. The journey we began with a team of 11 has grown into a strong workforce of 360 today. Our goal is to increase this number even further to contribute more to both our region and our country. One of our greatest sources of pride is that we are on track to become the first company from Diyarbakır to go public. This step is an important and encouraging development not only for our company but also for the region’s industrial sector.

Of course, this success is not something we achieved on our own. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our Board Chairman, Mr. Enver Geçgel, who stood by us with both his financial resources and his faith, even during the most challenging times. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all our team members who have worked alongside us since the company’s founding. From strategic decision-making to the final stages of production, we have written this success story together through everyone’s hard work. Achieving such a strong success was no easy feat, especially in a city with limited industrial infrastructure. Today, we have not only increased our own production capacity but have also become a structure that provides support to neighboring factories through our supply chain. In a relatively short period of 10 years, we have made significant strides both economically and in terms of production. However, for us, success is not measured solely by numbers. Although we currently employ a staff of 400 officially, our indirect impact has expanded this number to over 2,000. The modern machinery park we established was at a level previously unknown in our region. Thanks to this infrastructure, many of our employees who were trained here now serve as managers or experts at various institutions and organizations.

Could you tell our readers about the products you manufacture in Turkey? What kind of contributions do these products make to our country?

The products we manufacture in Turkey make significant contributions to our country both economically and socially. As a company operating in the energy sector, we focus on the production of equipment that ensures the safe and uninterrupted distribution of electricity. Critical components such as medium-voltage modular cells, concrete substations, and switching devices are among our main product groups. This equipment acts as a safeguard on high- and medium-voltage lines, ensuring the safety of the electrical flow.

When I first entered the sector in 1985, all of these products—which we now manufacture domestically—were imported. Dominated by French, Italian, and German brands, these products were entirely imported at that time. This situation persisted until the early 2000s. However, this landscape began to change thanks to the dedicated R&D efforts and production trials of some of our pioneering companies and esteemed industry leaders. We joined this effort, took up the banner of domestic production, and today take pride in having advanced it to a much higher level. With the same determination and resolve, we will continue to raise this banner even higher. Producing these products domestically significantly reduces our dependence on foreign sources—not only economically but also strategically. These high-precision pieces of equipment, which were almost entirely imported in the past, can now be manufactured in Turkey. For example, the front-operated SF6 gas circuit breaker, which was previously imported from abroad for $8,000, can now be manufactured and sold by us at around $2,000 while maintaining the same quality. With the entry of domestic manufacturers into the sector, costs have dropped significantly, while quality remains entirely under our control. This development is an enormous gain for the national economy. Furthermore, we guarantee that we can respond within 24 hours to resolve any malfunctions, no matter where in Turkey they occur. This ability to provide rapid solutions is of vital importance for critical sectors—such as hospitals, factories, and schools—that require uninterrupted power.

Our production processes involve a wide range of expertise, from welders to epoxy specialists, and from machinists to laser operators. Every stage of the supply chain—from raw material procurement to logistics, and from assembly to quality control—injects vitality into the economy. For example, the metal parts, insulation materials, and other components used in the production of a modular cell are sourced from domestic suppliers. This contributes not only to our own growth but also to that of the supporting industries.

In conclusion, the modular cells, concrete substations, and switching systems we produce are not merely technical equipment; they are strategic elements for Turkey’s energy security, economic independence, and social welfare. Without compromising on quality and by working with precision, we continue to strengthen our country’s energy infrastructure and build its future.

“WE PLAN TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT LEAP IN EXPORTS BY 2026”

What are your goals within a national or international framework?

Initially, we aimed to become a strong player in the Southeastern Anatolia market. Subsequently, we set out to become one of the leading companies in the sector throughout Turkey. At this point, we can proudly say that we have largely achieved these two goals. We have established a solid infrastructure in the Southeast and built significant market share and trust throughout Turkey. However, our vision does not end here. Our ultimate goal is to become a strong and enduring player in the global market.

In this regard, 2026 will be a strategic turning point for us. This year, we plan to make a significant leap forward in exports. One of the most important steps toward achieving our goal will be our new investment. Planned with both domestic demand and international market dynamics in mind, this investment will significantly increase our export capacity. Our new facilities and the growth in our production capacity will position us to be far more competitive abroad.

Our greatest dream is to take this success story, which began in Diyarbakır, to the global energy sector and make the EFG name known worldwide. At the national level, we aim to further deepen our contribution to Turkey’s energy infrastructure. We are already making significant contributions to the safety of power grids with our medium-voltage equipment. However, we are not content to stop there; by expanding our R&D activities, we aim to diversify our product portfolio and offer more innovative solutions to the energy sector.

In both the domestic and international markets, we will continue to grow with steady and solid steps, without compromising on quality. In short, our primary goal is to further strengthen our position as one of Turkey’s leading companies while positioning the EFG brand as a strong and reliable player on the global stage.

PetroTürk