When we take a look at the development of the sector, in line with the strategies developed by Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), the focus was first on developing platforms by Turkish main contractors, then the development of the required subsystems by Turkish companies, and lately, the focus has been on developing compounds and materials domestically. The founding of KIM Technologies, the company on the cover file of this issue, provides a good example on how a business model in line with recent strategies can be established.
KIM Technologies, a Kayseri company, is rather different from recent investments in defence and aerospace sector in Anatolia, with its founding model and process. KIM Technologies is focusing on advanced materials, nanotechnologies, advanced ballistic systems, ceramic matrix composites, and special sensors, and provides a breath of fresh air compared to other sector companies, both with its founding process and aims.
A completely private enterprise, KIM technologies has not partnered with main contractors in the sector, be it private or public. The company also has been founded without a state supported or procurement guaranteed starting project.
Mehmet Büyüksimitci, Chairman of KIM Technologies highlighted this particular feature of the company, which was founded by Kayseri Chamber of Industry (KAYSO) and Kayseri Chamber of Commerce, and other leading organisations in Kayseri, with the following words: “We can define KIM Technologies as a company born from an industrial vision and the industrial and technological potential in Kayseri. This is a new model for Türkiye, but it is also a model that can be applied in many cities.”
This is important… In recent similar developments, i.e. foundation of new defence companies in Anatolian cities, there had been a main contractor involved in their founding processes. ASELSAN Sivas, founded in 2016, and ASELSAN Konya, founded in 2018, constitute examples to said developments, and ASELSAN owns 50 percent and 51 percent of these companies respectively.
The Success of KIM Technologies Will Encourage Similar Developments
Kayseri has a strong desire to see KIM Technologies find success. Mr. Büyüksimitci focused on the importance of this issue with following words: “This model will lead the way for other provinces and encourage them to do similar developments. Businessmen from nearby provinces visit us to meet with us and listen to our story. We share our experiences with them so far and our story as well. As the success of our model becomes more apparent, we think it will be replicated elsewhere. I must say, we are east of Europe. There is a tendency to learn with touch and sight the further east you go. As such, the success of our company will give them an example for them to benefit.”
The founding of the company was inspired by the need for a company to provide critical materials to the sector. Mr. Büyüksimitci shared the following on this: “When we consider Türkiye’s place in defence and aerospace industry, our country has achieved a good place in platforms and their subsystems, we can indigenously develop the subsystems required. However, one or two steps down, we hardly have any companies working on critical materials.”
Strong Partnership Structure
The founding process of the company continued with researching how a company that could fill this niche and produce high technology, high added value products. It was decided to have multiple partners in the company. To establish the organisational framework of the company, consultancy services were also received, and after feasibility works, KIM Technologies were brought to life, with Kayseri Chamber of Industry (KAYSO) and Kayseri Chamber of Commerce, and 11 other companies being the founding partners.
Mr. Büyüksimitci is also the President of Kayseri Chamber of Industry, saying they wanted KIM Technologies to be a company standing on its own legs, claiming a market share in the international market with its products and technologies.
KIM Technologies was founded after a long preparation process in 2019, and the company already has high ambitions. The company prefers to provide products and services to a wide range of sectors like defence, aerospace, transportation, and energy instead of limiting itself to one sector or product. The company’s revenue targets also indicate this fact: it plans to receive 50 percent of its revenue from civilian sectors and 70 percent from exports.
Strong Partnership Structure
The founding process of the company continued with researching how a company that could fill this niche and produce high technology, high added value products. It was decided to have multiple partners in the company. To establish the organisational framework of the company, consultancy services were also received, and after feasibility works, KIM Technologies were brought to life, with Kayseri Chamber of Industry (KAYSO) and Kayseri Chamber of Commerce, and 11 other companies being the founding partners.
Mr. Büyüksimitci is also the President of Kayseri Chamber of Industry, saying they wanted KIM Technologies to be a company standing on its own legs, claiming a market share in the international market with its products and technologies.
KIM Technologies was founded after a long preparation process in 2019, and the company already has high ambitions. The company prefers to provide products and services to a wide range of sectors like defence, aerospace, transportation, and energy instead of limiting itself to one sector or product. The company’s revenue targets also indicate this fact: it plans to receive 50 percent of its revenue from civilian sectors and 70 percent from exports.
AMAC Members and Sector Improves Relations
KIM Technologies proved its focus on exports by sponsoring Ankara Military Attaché Corps (AMAC) Winter Conference. The conference was held in Kayseri between 24-26 February and attended by 47 AMAC member attachés.
AMAC Winter Conference was held open to sector companies for the first time this year, and with efforts from our sister publication, AMAC Magazine, important sector companies like Meteksan Defence, Nurol Makina and Türksat, in addition to KIM Technologies were brought together with AMAC member military attachés, who are among the important actors for export projects. The company officials presented their products, services, and capabilities to military attaches of 40 different countries under the coordination of AMAC Magazine.
As pandemic conditions improve, the sector events are slowly going back to being held in a physical venue. Among the most important of these will be SEDEC 2022, to be held for a third time between 28-30 June. AMAC members are expected to be prominent in the event, which plans to hold more B2B meetings along with hosting more purchasing committees and more delegations from end users. SEDEC 2022 also plans to unite many organisations and institutions, both foreign and domestic, with attending companies. We are the “Official Publication and Press Sponsor” for the event, and we will be bringing you “MSI TDR SEDEC’22 Special Issue” (in Turkish), especially to sector professionals.
The special dossier for March issue was set aside for YALTES’ women employees as a homage to “International Women’s Day”. YALTES has been both increasing and diversifying the roles women play in the company, and these efforts may constitute an example to other sector companies.
The main aim of YALTES’ said efforts is not only increasing the statistical makeup of the company regarding women employees. This process is building the YALTES of the future, and the focus has been improving the quality of the company’s works, increasing the competitiveness of the company internationally and advancing towards company’s goals faster.
We wish to be with you again, dear reader, in our April issue that will include the important developments in March.
Ümit Bayraktar
Executive Editor