Bantboru Appoints New Executive to U.S. Manufacturing Facility

BANTBORU appoints Quality Team Leader Özge Topbaş as Plant Manager of US facility as part of its plan to double its global automotive market share, establishing production bases in 5 different locations across 3 continents—North America, Africa and Europe—with a EUR 7 million investment. Özge Topbaş will assume the position of Plant Manager at BANTBORU's Spartanburg facility as of June 2022, bringing more than 10 years of experience from both OEM and leading TIER 1 companies. BANTBORU, a signatory to the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), has appointed a female executive from within its ranks as Plant Manager of its new production facility in the United States. BANTBORU, whose products feature in critical systems of every four vehicles produced globally and which is investing EUR 7 million with the goal of doubling its share in the global market, has appointed Özge Topbaş, Quality Team Leader at the company, as Plant Manager of its Spartanburg production facility in the United States. Born in Zonguldak Ereğli in 1985, Özge Topbaş completed her studies in Chemical Engineering at Istanbul University before building her career in quality management in the automotive sector. With quality experience at both OEM and leading TIER 1 companies, Özge Topbaş joined the BANTBORU family in 2016 following her roles at organizations such as Ford Otosan and Novares. Assuming management responsibilities as Quality Team Leader and now appointed Plant Manager of the company's US production facility, Özge Topbaş will begin her new position this June. Stating that support for female employees and managers is part of BANTBORU's business culture, Özge Topbaş said, "I have felt my company's support from day one. Being deemed worthy of management responsibility for a Turkish production facility in the United States, home to some of the world's largest automotive manufacturers, fills me with pride and excitement. I will work to make the BANTBORU Spartanburg plant an exemplary production facility in every regard." BANTBORU CEO Sinan Gider, noting that the company aims to double its share in the global automotive market and achieve 100 percent growth over a three-year period through domestic and international projects, said, "Beyond the excitement of growth, we also carry the excitement of entrusting our new facility to one of our female employees. Özge Topbaş, a recognized name in the sector, achieved major successes as BANTBORU Quality Team Leader over the past six years. We have boundless confidence that our colleague will achieve further success as Plant Manager of our US production facility." BANTBORU Expands Global Operations BANTBORU, a sought-after brand worldwide in the field of steel tube systems original equipment manufacturing (OEM), known for competitive performance strength, domestic R&D and domestic production, is expanding its global operations through production bases in 5 different locations across 3 continents as part of its 100 percent growth goal. Launching new projects with BMW and international supply giant Magna, BANTBORU will establish production bases in 5 locations across North America, Africa and Europe as a first-tier business partner under its BMW collaboration. Under its Magna collaboration related to electric SUV vehicles, BANTBORU will expand its product range with domestic R&D and production. BANTBORU's investment at this level of EUR 7 million is expected to contribute EUR 10 million to company turnover. The BMW collaboration, which will begin in 2024 with 200,000 vehicles annually, will gradually reach approximately 600,000 vehicles annually by 2027. This figure equals one-quarter of BMW's production capacity. Under its collaboration with international automotive supply giant Magna, BANTBORU will supply products to the Ocean model electric SUV of American automaker Fisker, known for its upper-segment electric vehicles, from its Germany production facility. Turkey's Player in Global Competition BANTBORU uses products developed with its own R&D and technology capabilities. It serves as a business partner in the most important programs of global automotive manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Mercedes, Renault and Peugeot-Citroen, and also collaborates with brands such as BSH (Bosch Siemens Hausgerate), Arçelik, Uğur Soğutma, Vestel and Bundy Refrigeration in the cooling sector. Serving as Turkey's player in global competition with products developed through its own R&D and technology capabilities, BANTBORU exports to 23 countries across a geography spanning from Argentina to China, with export revenues constituting 50 percent of its turnover. BANTBORU's exports per kilogram reach EUR 7.6. Included in the TURQUALITY® brand support program in 2017, BANTBORU continues its global steps swiftly and securely in line with its Competitive Performance corporate culture. Signatory to Global Initiatives BANTBORU, which collaborates with important manufacturers in Turkey and globally in its field, evaluates and manages its responsibilities to society and the world with the perspective of an ever-developing global company aimed at leadership. BANTBORU participates in global initiatives in the field of social responsibility. In line with the importance given to social opportunity and gender equality, BANTBORU is a signatory to the UN Global Principles Compact and the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), established by UN Women as the most important global platform in the field of women's empowerment, and as of the end of 2020 became a signatory to the UN Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative.