Unification of two separate companies under a single roof has always been a demanding issue. Our case had specific aspects; there was Akçimento on one side, a versatile corporation sharing the management philosophy of the influential and successful Sabanci Group, and Akçimento culture that had assumed the leadership of the private sector during the years Turkey’ cement industry was managed by the state, and then of the whole sector afterwards. On the other side, the culture formed by Çanakkale Çimento, which looked somewhat remote from the market despite being within; the culture that was reviewed upon acquisition by CBR… Then, suddenly a new and immense synergy and culture is created by Akçansa’s formation. This is a rather challenging and fascinating integration process… I believe that the success attained in the creation of a third culture in combining the positive aspects of two dominant cultures is a “case study” worth analyzing. Taking into consideration that the subject process overlapped with the economic crisis experienced throughout the Country, the implementation of such a change by transforming threats into opportunities and the accomplishment of such a progress is worth appreciation and I would like to express my thanks and congratulations to all my colleagues who have participated in these efforts. Akçansa has fulfilled his share exceptionally on behalf of the sector and certainly will continue to do more.

Working at Akçansa as an executive and being the President of the Turkish Ready Mixed Concrete Organization (TRCO) at the same time is very honoring but challenging as well; we have to watch the balance carefully. In TRCO you have to be very objective and equally close to everyone. It is essential that you should abandon your Company identity. There you are working on the problems of the ready mixed concrete and Turkey and striving to create public consciousness for earthquakes and ensure that people live in strong structures. As for my position at Akçansa, although there are common issues, you see that there is a cruel competition in the sector. As a matter of fact the Ready Mixed Concrete sector is not very suitable for orderly companies, due to the fact that the ongoing competition is not fair at all. But at that point, achievements and creating values for the employees and the shareholders make one feel satisfied. Being a part of the constructions where you can live in safely, together with your employees, is a nice feeling.

Akçansa perfectly matches with my company ideal. In general, any company’s employees can maintain their living to the extent they cherish their company. Akçansa is a company with a transparent management philosophy, social and cultural responsibility, trying to generate benefits for its stakeholders by creating differences, which supports active participation of its employees in company’s processes. Akçansa is a company, which manages experience and dynamism. Therefore, being a member of Akcansa should be considered as a privilege.