Ülker is a Turkish
multinational food and beverage manufacturer based in
Istanbul
Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...
, Turkey. Its products are exported internationally, to 110 countries.
Ülker's core products are biscuits, cookies, crackers, and chocolates, although it has expanded to other categories.
Ülker received the "Candy Company of the Year in Europe" award from the European Candy Kettle Club in 2004. In December 2007, the company acquired
Godiva Chocolatier from the
Campbell Soup Company for $850 million.
In 2016, Yıldız Holding transferred 51% of Ülker's shares to its new global business
Pladis.
History
Ülker was founded in 1944 by
Sabri and Asim Ülker, two brothers whose parents immigrated to Turkey from
Crimea
Crimea, crh, Къырым, Qırım, grc, Κιμμερία / Ταυρική, translit=Kimmería / Taurikḗ ( ) is a peninsula in Ukraine, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, that has been occupied by Russia since 2014. It has a p ...
, commencing operations in
Istanbul
Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...
as a small bakery. A factory was opened in 1948. Ülker expanded in the 1970s to exporting to the
Middle East
The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (Europ ...
market, chocolate manufacturing, and packaging. By the end of the 20th century, Ülker was manufacturing margarine, vegetable oil, and dairy products. In 2002, Ülker diversified into carbonated beverages and in 2003 added
Turkish coffee, ice cream, and baby food to its product range. One of its more important products is
Cola Turka, introduced into the Turkish market in 2003. The advertisement of Cola Turka featured actor
Chevy Chase, and according to local sources
Coca-Cola cut 10% off its prices due to the success of the Cola Turka launch.
Parent company Yıldız Holding employed more than 41,000 people and was the fifth on the list of the most successful manufacturers in
Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
in 2001. Ülker sales reach $1.5 billion internationally. Fulya Banu Sürücü has been appointed as the CFO of the company, effective from January 3, 2022.
See also
*
List of food companies
References
External links
Official websiteMoody's rating raised
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ulker
Food and drink companies of Turkey
Companies based in Istanbul
Turkish brands
Companies listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange
Yıldız Holding
Food and drink companies established in 1944
Turkish companies established in 1944
Confectionery companies
Chocolate companies
Dairy products companies