Monday, December 6, 2010
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
 A scene from the ongoing 'Freedom Tower' construction is seen in New York in this file photo. Last year, Turkish firm Baykal completed a major monoblock press brake for a US company to use in manufacturing steel parts for the tower. Bloomberg photo |
Three Turkish manufacturers of heavy industrial machinery in the northwestern province of Bursa have expressed surprise that they were listed as companies that were crucial for U.S. security in WikiLeaks documents released Sunday.
Hüseyin Durmaz, a chairman of one of the companies, Durmazlar, said he was somewhat “flattered” by the situation. “We are not a huge company like [Turkish giants] Petkim or Tüpraş. This [list] seems like a good idea, but I still think something is wrong there.”
Durmazlar, Baykal and Ermeksan were listed among those “whose loss or attack by terrorists” could have a “critical impact” for U.S. security in the U.S. cable.
Durmaz Makine, or Durmazlar, is a manufacturer of press brakes and shears, Baykal Makine produces press breaks, shears, punching machines, laser cutting systems and plasma cutting systems, while Ermeksan manufactures high-tech products in sheet-metalworking machines.
Durmazlar, known abroad as Durma, is the biggest manufacturer of press brakes and shears in the world. Top executives from the United States, including ones from Microsoft and Ford Motors, have recently visited Durma factories, according to the company’s website.
Producing power shears and hydraulic press brakes, Baykal is one of Europe’s largest companies for sheet-metal machinery, with nearly 650 employees. It also exports to nearly 80 countries, including the U.S. and Australia.
Last year, Baykal completed a major monoblock press brake for a U.S. company to use in manufacturing steel parts of the Freedom Tower, which is being built in place of the World Trade Center.
The list was prepared under the direction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in February 2009. According to the leaked cable, U.S. missions updated a list of “crucially important companies and natural sources” for the U.S. economy and security following a request from the State Department. The Bosphorus Strait and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline were considered “crucially important.”
Pulling out from the industry
“I am surprised to have a place on the list,” said Murat Baykal, board member of the company.
A key reason for the list is the “hands-off” attitude of the U.S. regarding heavy industries, Baykal said. As the U.S. lost interest in heavy industries, “these companies in Turkey became crucially important for them,” he added.
“We are manufacturing the biggest steel press brake for the U.S. to be used in pipeline projects,” he said. “The brake will be completed in six months. We have also manufactured machines for Boeing in Hungary.” Baykal agreed that heavy industry companies play a key role in national and international security.
Baykal was ranked as the 396th largest in export turnover two years ago, according to Fortune Turkey magazine.
Ermeksan has a production capacity of 3,000 machines annually, with 600 employees, while the company exports more than 80 percent of its production to nearly 70 countries.
Ermeksan executives declined to comment on the leaked U.S. list when contacted by the Daily News.
Hüseyin Durmaz, a chairman of one of the companies, Durmazlar, said he was somewhat “flattered” by the situation. “We are not a huge company like [Turkish giants] Petkim or Tüpraş. This [list] seems like a good idea, but I still think something is wrong there.”
Durmazlar, Baykal and Ermeksan were listed among those “whose loss or attack by terrorists” could have a “critical impact” for U.S. security in the U.S. cable.
Durmaz Makine, or Durmazlar, is a manufacturer of press brakes and shears, Baykal Makine produces press breaks, shears, punching machines, laser cutting systems and plasma cutting systems, while Ermeksan manufactures high-tech products in sheet-metalworking machines.
Durmazlar, known abroad as Durma, is the biggest manufacturer of press brakes and shears in the world. Top executives from the United States, including ones from Microsoft and Ford Motors, have recently visited Durma factories, according to the company’s website.
Producing power shears and hydraulic press brakes, Baykal is one of Europe’s largest companies for sheet-metal machinery, with nearly 650 employees. It also exports to nearly 80 countries, including the U.S. and Australia.
Last year, Baykal completed a major monoblock press brake for a U.S. company to use in manufacturing steel parts of the Freedom Tower, which is being built in place of the World Trade Center.
The list was prepared under the direction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in February 2009. According to the leaked cable, U.S. missions updated a list of “crucially important companies and natural sources” for the U.S. economy and security following a request from the State Department. The Bosphorus Strait and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline were considered “crucially important.”
Pulling out from the industry
“I am surprised to have a place on the list,” said Murat Baykal, board member of the company.
A key reason for the list is the “hands-off” attitude of the U.S. regarding heavy industries, Baykal said. As the U.S. lost interest in heavy industries, “these companies in Turkey became crucially important for them,” he added.
“We are manufacturing the biggest steel press brake for the U.S. to be used in pipeline projects,” he said. “The brake will be completed in six months. We have also manufactured machines for Boeing in Hungary.” Baykal agreed that heavy industry companies play a key role in national and international security.
Baykal was ranked as the 396th largest in export turnover two years ago, according to Fortune Turkey magazine.
Ermeksan has a production capacity of 3,000 machines annually, with 600 employees, while the company exports more than 80 percent of its production to nearly 70 countries.
Ermeksan executives declined to comment on the leaked U.S. list when contacted by the Daily News.
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