TürkTraktör,
CNH’s joint venture with Koç Holding and a leading
manufacturer of agricultural equipment in Turkey since
1954, has celebrated the production of its 600,000
tractor at a special ceremony held at the company’s
plant in Ankara, Turkey.
Hosted by Koç Holding Board of
Directors Chairman Mustafa V. Koç and the Chairman of
Fiat Industrial and CNH Sergio Marchionne, the event
welcomed Prime Minister Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the
Minister of Food, Agriculture and Animal Breeding Mr.
Mehmet Mehdi Eker and the Minister of Industry and
Technology Mr. Nihat Ergün. The ceremony was attended by
over 400 people including CNH and Koç Holding top
management, the dealer network, employees and media.
During the event, the plant’s
600,000th tractor, a New Holland Agriculture TD100, was
delivered to wheat, corn, cotton and watermelon producer
Mehmet Ali Gül and his family from Ünlüce Village in
Yüreğir, Adana, southern Turkey. To further commemorate
the occasion, the 600,001th tractor to roll off the
factory's production line, a New Holland TD65B, was
signed by CNH and Koç Holding management and by the
Turkish Prime Minister.
In his speech at the event, Mr.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasised agriculture’s importance
to Turkey’s gross domestic product and noted the
country’s high rate of growth; Turkey’s economy grew
more than 11 percent in the first half of the year
compared to the previous year. He also cited the
partnership between CNH and Koç Holding, which builds 90
percent of its tractors and components in-house, as an
important landmark in the country's agribusiness sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, Koç
Holding Board of Directors Chairman Mustafa V. Koç
underlined the importance of TürkTraktör products as a
source of pride for Turkey, "TürkTraktör is a leading
producer of tractors and engines for the domestic
tractor market. It manufactures engines, transmissions
and front and rear axles in its own factory and derives
its remaining parts from local sources."
Sergio Marchionne remarked,
"This achievement also bears testimony to the quality of
the products that the Koç Group and Case New Holland
have been producing in partnership, as well as the
individual capabilities and commitment of everyone here
at the plant." He further added, "What I can assure the
Prime Minister and the Turkish people is that we intend
to continue with the same level of commitment and
determination, and the same spirit of collaboration that
have brought us to where we are today."
TürkTraktör is a leader in the
domestic tractor market with its New Holland Agriculture
and Case IH tractors. The facility exports to over 90
countries worldwide and employs more than 2,000 people
at its plant in Ankara.
