For myself and on behalf of Mr. Basoglu, I would like to thank my friend Yildirim Soylemez for his professional courtesy.

Basoglu Kablo Manufactures in 6 Separate Locations

When we first contacted Halil İbrahim Basoglu, Basoglu Kablo’s Chairman for an interview, he was in a retreat at Dalyan/Mugla for the duration of the pandemic. We did not have the opportunity to travel there due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Fortunately, our colleague, the concessionaire of the Dagitim Kanali Magazine been running his business from Dalyan at the time. At our kind request, Mr. Soylemez conducted the interview and prepared the visuals on our behalf. For myself and on behalf of Mr. Basoglu, I would like to thank my friend Yildirim Soylemez for his professional courtesy.

Home Appliances Turkey Suppliers Magazine: Could you introduce yourself as one of the veteran names in the sector? Where and how did you start your business life?

Halil Ibrahim Basoglu: I was born on October 6, 1944, in Istanbul. After graduating from Kabatas High School in 1962. I had to start working right after my graduation from Kabatas, due to financial difficulties. I started my first business venture with my Late Brother from a different mother, UNAL KARDES, whom I consider to be the greatest blessing of my business life to this day. I learned kindness, management, and trade from him.

I can’t recall the exact year but around the early 1975’s, we separated our ways with Unal Kardes. With his support, I opened a store with a friend of mine on Bankalar Street, Istanbul.

Late 1979’s I wanted to move on to bigger things, so we established ILKTEL Inc. company with 3 partners in 1980. We started with the production of the enamel coil wire. Due to the oversaturated market, we have shifted our focus to producing Silicone Cables and Profiles instead.

At the start of our endeavor, two companies operating in this sector were dominating the market.

For one reason or another, our partnership dissolved in 1987. I try to avoid the phrase "I wish", but I wish I could have kept that partnership in this case.

In the end, in 1990, I established BASOGLU KABLO ve PROFIL INC. a family-owned company.

Home Appliances Turkey Suppliers Magazine: Could you give information about your production locations?

Halil Ibrahim Basoglu: We initially started the manufacturing of silicon insulated cables and profiles in Maltepe, Istanbul. At first, we had an extruder and a 2-roll silicone mill. Within one year, thanks to our quality and exceptional service, we have introduced ourselves to the White Goods manufacturing industry. Over the years we filled our production area to the fullest so in 1995, we purchased a parcel in Bolu Organized Industrial Zone, started the construction of our first factory, which was built upon an area of 1500 square meters. We closed our factory in Istanbul and moved all our production to Bolu in 1996. Our 2nd factory was fully operational by 2001 and our 3rd factory by 2007.

In 2005, our factory in Poland became operational. It continues successfully to this day. In 2014, upon the invitation of a key player in the industry, we opened our Cerkezkoy factory for business. During these years, we continuously improved our machinery and production processes and the Cerkezkoy factory is thriving since we opened our doors in 2014.

Upon invitations from the key industries in 2020, we leased our plant2 of 15000 square meters in Manisa Organized Industrial Zone. Here, we are manufacturing with the latest state-of-the-art machinery.

My son Tolga Basoglu oversees the operations in Manisa. After the trial productions, our facility will become fully operational at the end of August 2021.

Our headquarters is in Dudullu, Istanbul. Our domestic and international marketing is located here as well.

We currently employ 1200 workers in all our locations combined. Our forecasts show us that we will reach 1,450 employees when our Manisa factory starts operating at full capacity.

In order to satisfy the increasing demands of our customers, we work 3 shifts, 7 days a week. I would also like to mention company growth trends shows us that all our operational expansions happened in times of crisis. Our team is the reason for our success

Home Appliances Turkey Suppliers Magazine: What do you produce in your locations?

Halil Ibrahim Basoglu: We produce silicone fire/heat resistant cables, PVC cables, cable harnesses, silicone profiles, silicone gaskets, signal lamps, gas transfer pipes, solar and wind turbine cables as well as cables for all kinds of white goods in the industry. In addition, we provide a wide range of services to the defense industry, rail/road transportation, shipbuilding, mining, and lighting sectors. All our products are manufactured to meet or exceed the TSI (Turkish Standards Institution) and all international standards.

Now, we are preparing for the automotive industry. Our products will also add value to the production of electric vehicles and EV charging stations.

Home Appliances Turkey Suppliers Magazine: Could you summarize the point Basoglu Kablo has reached today? How would you describe your success?

Halil Ibrahim Basoglu: First, you need to believe in the work you do and have a family structure that will support you in your decisions, which I was lucky to have.

In 1992, when our place in Maltepe was not enough, I started looking for another location. Bolu was a city with some old friends, we purchased the land in the industrial zone there. We got to the place we are today by experiencing the processes I have just mentioned.

My philosophy is, if you are doing something, you either be the best at what you do, or you don’t do it all. Today, as Basoglu Kablo, we are the best in our field, although mentioning this is not modesty.

After establishing with the white goods industry, we started pursuing the construction industry. Production of our “ÖSK and SIMH-O” type cables, which I am proud to say, reduced the possibility of a fire starting from the electrical systems and cabling, to zero. Today, these cables are used in almost all our tunnels in Turkey. Airports, skyscrapers and even the tunnels of Switzerland are built by using our cables.

We produce "Turkish Lloyd" certified cables for the shipbuilding industry. When we saw the demand for PVC-based cables, we have tweaked them with different features, still in line with the international standards. We are the first company to certify our silicone and PVC-based cables with the American “UL” certification.

After the Soma Mine disaster, I observed the need to produce our cables for the mining industry. As known, when a collapse occurs in mines, the energy input is cut off because the standard cables under extreme heat and fire, releases smoke and toxic-halogenic gases which are extremely harmful and is the main reason why people die during fires.

When the energy is cut off, there is no way out. My idea is to continue the energy flow during & after the collapse. Even Under heavy fire, our cables continue to function properly for extended durations.

Our research and development on this product have reached its final stage. My philosophy is to leave something good behind for others to benefit from. I am still working on that.

Home Appliances Turkey Suppliers Magazine: What is Basoglu Kablo's perspective on digitalization?

Halil Ibrahim Basoglu: We have a competitive team working on this. My children and team follow technology very closely and apply it in our company wherever necessary.

Home Appliances Turkey Suppliers Magazine: How has the pandemic affected the company and the industry

Halil Ibrahim Basoglu: All our locations are constantly checked by the government approved health organizations at the end of every week. We have taken all the precautions and provide continuous training about the pandemic. However, we can’t control where employees travel on their own time. For this reason, we are sending out messages and email reminders on how employees can protect themselves and their co-workers.

Since the pandemic broke out, we are seeing an upward trend in white goods and appliances sales. I think it will continue until the end of July. Therefore, we work 24-hour shifts to provide to the main industries needs. I would like to thank all our team members for their dedication during these hard times.

Basoglu Kablo Exports to 36 Countries

Home Appliances Turkey Suppliers Magazine: What are your goals for the upcoming period?

Halil Ibrahim Basoglu: We will continue to produce for new sectors where we believe our products can add value. As I mentioned before, our workload for the defense, automotive, and rail transportation industries grows rapidly, and we have applied to the special standards of these sectors.

There are two accredited R&D departments within our Bolu factories which employ experienced and young chemical, mechanical and electrical engineers for continuous improvement.

Home Appliances Turkey Suppliers Magazine: Would you like to add more information?

Halil Ibrahim Basoglu: We have an export range of 36 countries and counting. We should put R&D first, improve our technology and increase our exports. This country is ours; we need to be more conscious at our work. Work harder and smarter on our collective issues together.