86th anniversary of the first Turkish iron production

Karabük Iron and Steel Factories (KARDEMİR) Chairman of the Board of Directors Demir stated that KARDEMİR, whose foundations were laid in 1937 in line with the industrialization goals of the Republic of Turkey, was born not only as a production facility but also as a symbol of Turkey's will to build an independent industry with its own resources and labor.

Demir stated that the first Turkish iron casting, carried out on September 10, 1939, was a concrete expression of the Republic's industrial vision, saying, "It was a turning point in our country's industrial history. This step opened the doors of our national industry wide open as the strongest symbol of Türkiye's determination to process its own raw materials and transform them into added value."

Emphasizing that the past 86 years are not just a passing period, but an expression of the strengthening will, developing engineering capabilities, and the deep-rooted industrial culture in these lands, Demir said:

KARDEMİR, the first heavy industry facility in the Republic of Turkey, has pioneered many things since its founding and has become a pioneer in our industry with its production that provides high added value to the national economy. Today, KARDEMİR has become an industrial giant, producing Turkey's first thick coil, the first domestically produced railway rail, and the first domestically produced railway wheel, and resolutely maintaining its position as the sole producer in our country in these fields. It continues to be not only a production center but also a school that guides our country's production independence, railway infrastructure, and heavy industry engineering.

Demir pointed out that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's "National Technology Initiative" and "Domestic and National Production" vision guide KARDEMİR's strategic investments that contribute to Türkiye's production independence. He said, "On this occasion, on the 86th anniversary of the casting of the first Turkish iron, I extend my gratitude to all our engineers, workers, technicians, managers, and all the people of Karabük who have devoted themselves to KARDEMİR. I extend my gratitude to all our stakeholders who serve our country. KARDEMİR will continue to be 'Türkiye's steel powerhouse' and to lead our country's industrial journey, just as it was yesterday."