It has taken Ülker 61 years of hard work and patience to reach the point where we are today. Never sacrificing quality... Investing in the most advanced technology... Keeping abreast of the latest worldwide trends... Adapting them to the Turkish market and the Turkish consumer... And with the invaluable contributions of our employees, Ülker has taken its place at the forefront of the Turkish processed foods industry.

Once we decided to produce cookies, we began acquiring equipment. Finding production machinery was a hallenging task in 1944 with the Second World War waging and the Republic of Turkey stil in its infancy. Beginning production required a huge investment of time and research. Starting with a single variety of cookie, we added new varieties overtime and grew in output from 200 kilograms to hundreds of tons per day. But it was really the production of chocolate that made our business truly flourish. Daily output grew significantly from 200 kilograms in those days to hundreds of tons today. But one thing hasn't changed... Ülker is synonymous with quality.

Our business is built on a commitment to these principles: identifying the products that consumers want most to help them get the most out of life... making these products from the finest ingredients... using the latest environmentally friendly technology... producing products in facilities that maintain the highest standards of hygiene. Our core businesses are cookies and chocolates. All of our investments have been built upon these two categories. What goes into making these products? Flour, oil, starch, milk... and of course packaging materials. To guarantee the high quality of our products, we became a vertically integrated producer. Our own factories produce all of our major ingredients and inputs. And we have our own marketing and export companies backed by an extensive vehicle fleet and full logistics capability.

We were Turkey's first cookie producer to employ the services of international experts... today the Ülker Group works with the world's leading experts. Partnerships with international companies enable us to draw upon their know-how and experience. Several of our companies are now publicly held. Putting our customers' health first, Ulker was the first company in Turkey to establish a hygiene department. We have kept pace with the world by successfully following global trends and developments. We expanded capacity by making major investments, opening new plants, making available new job opportunities, which in turn allowed us to introduce new products that won a place in consumers' hearts.

I can sum up the foundations of our success in just a few words:
'Work hard, stay humble, respect the consumer and stay abreast of the times.'

I am fully confident that the generations that follow me will continue to apply the same proven recipe for success.

Sabri Ülker
Honorary Chairman