Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation: Remarkable Growth
**The Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) has achieved a remarkable 16-fold increase in its exports over the past three years, signaling a significant growth trajectory for the company. As part of its expansion strategy, MKE is establishing new facilities in Kırıkkale and Samsun, along with pursuing partnerships in Europe. General Manager İlhami Keleş outlined that MKE has earmarked an investment budget of $818 million, making it a leader in the defense sector and positioning it as the third-largest investor in Turkey across all industries.**
Keleş emphasized the scale of their operations, stating that they have constructed a production facility in Kırıkkale comparable to the size of a city. This ambitious project has contributed to increasing their exports from $40 million in 2021 to an impressive $639 million by 2024. In his presentation to the Parliamentary Commission for State Economic Enterprises (KİT), Keleş shared, “We have successfully elevated our exports from $40 million to $639 million.” Furthermore, he described the acquisition of 4.7 million square meters in Kırıkkale for the establishment of these extensive production facilities.
In a bid to further expand its operations, MKE is set to increase its investments in Samsun. Keleş revealed that they will be producing nitroguanidine, a crucial raw material for explosives, which is predominantly sourced from countries with inexpensive natural gas. This dual-use product, also applicable for civilian purposes, allows for high-volume manufacturing from relatively small quantities.
Expanding into Europe: A New Frontier! National Defense Deputy Minister Alpaslan Kavaklıoğlu also addressed the commission, highlighting the European Union’s budget allocation of €800 billion for armament. Kavaklıoğlu expressed the government’s intent for MKE to secure a portion of this funding, emphasizing the potential for establishing new companies in Europe as a pathway to partnership. He stated, “We aspire to make a significant expansion, strengthening our domestic and national industry while advancing our export efforts. We aim to lead in this competitive arena as our profitability grows and our capital increases for future investments.”
