The collaboration between Turkey and Siemens started with the Ottoman Empire’s decision to bring the telegraph system to the country in the mid-1800s. Siemens Halske, which was appointed for this mission, implemented the first Siemens project in Turkey by establishing the Istanbul Telegraph Centre.
Encouraged by the great enthusiasm shown for this new communication technology by both the Empire’s rulers and the public, Siemens established the first telephone lines in Istanbul by 1881. Siemens’ investments continued during the following years and construction of the telephone infrastructure continued even in times of war.
After the introduction of the telephone to public life, studies aimed at making electricity a part of city life were begun. After Salonika and Izmir, Istanbul was the third city to have an electricity network in 1914. By the end of 1920, the number of households connected to the grid numbered 2,055, and electricity was used for street lighting. Turkish society began to enjoy services such as electricity, telephone and telegraph communication, and street lighting, with many of those services being provided by Siemens. However, the company's name only became known after the beginning of open radio broadcasting in 1927. At that time, a large number of Siemens radios were imported by the newly established Siemens-Turk Company.
The 1950s were the years of industrialization, in which Turkey launched a new economic program aimed at establishing factories to produce commodities such as sugar, cement and iron-steel locally and so reduce the country’s dependency on imports.
During this development stage, as an enterprise with the capability to help fulfill Turkey’s development potential, Siemens’ installation of its own technology in Turkey became a necessity. In this context, Siemens contributed to Turkey’s development process by establishing Simko in partnership with the Koc Group in 1958. By 1961 Simko had already set up its first factory in Kartal, Istanbul. From then on, the company’s fast growth contributed significantly to Turkey’s rapid industrialization.
In 1964, Turk Siemens cable factory, which was established in Mudanya, Bursa, played a major role in meeting the huge demand for energy, automotive, and telecommunication cables in Turkey. In 1999, this company was separated into three parts, and cable investment in Turkey was sold to Pirelli.
During the 1980s, Siemens in Turkey underwent major changes, as did Turkey itself. Volkswagen Electricity Systems and Osram Ampoule were founded. In the 1990s, Siemens Nixdorf Computer Systems and Siemens Home Appliances (SHA) were founded, and SHA acquired 66 percent of PEG Profilo in 1995. Siemens System Services and Siemens Financial Renting merged in 1997. Three new companies, namely Masterguard Power Sources, Siemens Fiber Optic Cables, and Siemens Automotive, were founded, while Siemens Nixdorf became Fujitsu Siemens Computer Systems.
In 2001, all Simko shares were acquired by Siemens, and its name became Siemens Industry and Trade Corporation. This corporation also took over Siemens Cerebrus Security Systems Corporation in 2003.
Siemens Industry and Trade Corp., represented by Siemens Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S in Turkey, continues its activities in Kartal, Istanbul on a 90,000 m² site, 63,000 m² of which is covered. Siemens has been the first to introduce many innovative technologies in the fields of electricity, electronics and electrotechnics to Turkey.
Using its experience and knowledge gained over more than 150 years, Siemens is a corporate entity that develops complete solutions and addresses the needs of its customers from a single source. The company develops complete solutions in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors in Turkey. In its Kartal facilities, Siemens manufactures low- and medium-tension boards and products related to circuit breaking and insulation techniques.
In line with its plans for growth in Turkey, Siemens invested in the Gebze Organized Industrial Zone for production geared towards the energy sector. The new plant built in Gebze is among the most modern in Europe.
The Siemens Gebze facilities are the first in Turkey to be certified with the LEED Gold standard (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). They make efficient use of natural energy sources, and take measures suitable for ensuring cost savings and a healthy working environment.
The company’s exports to a wide geographical region from the Middle East to the Far East partly comprise high- and medium-tension boards. Circuit breakers are exported to five continents, while automation products are exported to three continents. The Siemens group of companies employs around 7,000 people.