Sakarya Aims for Global Leadership in the Machinery Sector

Sakarya is a city that has sustained its growth by diversifying its industrial investments, which initially began with the automotive sector. With its geographical location, organized industrial zones, and cultural heritage, it continues to serve as a strong production hub today. The foundations of its current industry were laid through strategically important public investments in the past.The establishment of the DA-TA (Iron Car–Wooden Car) factory in 1914, the Wagon Factory in 1951, and the Tank Pallet Factory in 1973 shaped Sakarya’s industrial infrastructure, positioning the city as a significant player in automotive, defense, machinery, and railway vehicle production.

Sakarya

A Strategic Alliance for Both Sakarya and Turkey Through SAMİB

Among Sakarya’s rapidly developing sectors, automotive, machinery, railway, and defense industries stand out. The city continues to strengthen its production infrastructure by transferring its century-long industrial experience in automotive to the machinery sector as well.In 2010, the establishment of the Sakarya Machinery Manufacturers Association (SAMİB) marked an important step by uniting manufacturers of machinery and machine parts producing for defense, aerospace, automotive, rail systems, and many other fields under one roof. Since its foundation, SAMİB has adopted the clustering model, forming a strategic alliance that benefits both Sakarya and Turkey.Founded under the leadership of Metin Kar, and previously chaired by Günay Güneş and Turgay Çelik, SAMİB has built an exemplary clustering model in Eastern Marmara over the past 15 years. With strong university-industry cooperation, it has significantly contributed to the sector’s growth on scientific foundations. The projects initiated and implemented by SAMİB since its inception have enriched Sakarya’s knowledge and data pool in the machinery sector.

Sakarya Machinery Talks

In collaboration with Ekonomi Newspaper and SAMİB, the “Sakarya Machinery Talks” meetings have determined strategies that will shape the future of the sector. Particularly in the past three years, these initiatives have played an important role in supporting companies’ branding processes.A large portion of Sakarya’s machinery manufacturers consists of second-generation industrialists. Actively participating in decision-making processes, this new generation takes risks, adopts advanced technologies, and aims to secure a stronger presence in global markets. The machines produced by this generation in Sakarya are exported to more than 100 countries, including the United States, China, and Japan.With new strategies and the energy of younger generations, Sakarya is focusing on higher goals and, through its regional clustering model in the machinery sector, is striving for global leadership.