History
A real success story that began in 1944 with a small oven and 3 workers…
A long journey, starting with biscuits and growing into a wide selection of food production and even enhancing with sectors such as packaging, information technology products and real estate…
Yıldız Holding, currently operating principally in the food area of fast moving consumer goods with more than 65 companies, began production in 1944 with the Ülker brand.
During the first years when annual production was 75 tons, 200 kilograms of biscuit was manufactured in a day with only a few ovens and 3 workers. This production, which seems quite modest in today’s conditions, was a promising beginning for Turkey in those days, and a rapid development followed this humble start. Just 4 years later, the production was moved from that small biscuit bakery into the biscuit factory in Topkapı, Takkeciye and the production capacity was tripled. This increase was the most significant investment of the foundation years, and became an indicator of the success achieved in a very short time.
By 1950s, the increasing demand for Ülker biscuits necessitated some arrangements to be made for product distribution. The goods were delivered to sales points at factory prices, without charging any transportation costs. The distribution network, established in those days, delivers Yıldız Holding products to approximately 220 thousand points in Turkey today.
1970s saw the persistent growth of Ülker. Anadolu Gıda was established in Ankara as a public company, doubled the biscuit production capacity. During the same years, export operations were initiated; in 1974 the first export of 200 thousand dollars was made.
The principal target for exportation was Middle East markets. A Research and Development department was founded within Ülker in 1974 in order to compete with international companies in the export market. In 1979, the second factory founded in Istanbul began producing chocolate.
Beginning from 1980s, the production range was enriched, and manufacturing of some of the production machines within its own body started. With the expansion of investment areas, the efforts for institutionalization began and group companies were gathered under Yıldız Holding.
The most important innovation Yıldız Holding made in the 90s was investing in other fields of the food sector, in addition to its conventional investment areas such as biscuits, chocolate and sweets which became synonymous with the Ülker brand.
By 1992, Ülker brand had already made a place for itself in margarine, vegetable oil and industrial oil sectors.
In the following years, products of the food group diversified. First partnership with the world’s giant companies as a part of Ülker’s integration period with the global world took place in 1993; and Pendik Nişasta was founded in cooperation with Cerestar, the largest starch producer of Europe.
The year 2000 was a big turn in the history of Ülker. Sabri Ülker, founder of Ülker brand, transferred active management to the next generation and Murat Ülker was brought in as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ülker’s approach initiated in 1990s for establishing partnerships with the world’s leading brands continued during 2000s. Another significant milestone of this era was the introduction of innovative products to Turkish consumers simultaneously with the other regions of the world. Chocolate and biscuit factories were founded in foreign countries in order to expand in the international market and to meet the needs of the particular region. Ülker began operating in chewing gum, ready-to-cook soup and culinary supplements areas in 2000, soft drink area in 2002, and baby food area by establishing a partnership with Swiss Hero company in 2003. Within the same year, the first bottled UHT milk, ice cream and Turkish coffee production was initiated.
Yıldız Holding entered in the European Community with Eurex Alimentare coming into service as the first biscuit factory established overseas, starting from the very base. Ülker entered the instant coffee market with Café Crown brand. Another partnership established with the world’s giant companies was the association founded with Kellogg’s in breakfast cereals area. Ülker’s entrance into functional food field was also realized in the same year. The brand of Kalbim Benecol was born as a result of the collaboration provided with Finnish Raisio company.
At the end of 2007, Yıldız Holding took a giant step for both itself and Turkey in the way of globalization by acquiring Godiva, world’s leading premium chocolate and chocolate products brand. The Holding also incorporated Uno, Doğa Çay, Oba Çay and Kerevitaş brands in the large Yıldız Holding family in 2008.
Yıldız Holding have formed a 50/50 joint venture with Gumlink to operate in the field of non-chocolate confectionery and chewing gum with the Continental Confectionary Company in 2009. And also will form a partnership with the German tea company LHS.