Type Anonim Şirket Area served Worldwide CEO Mehmet Tutuncu (2014–) Headquarters Istanbul, Turkey Traded as BİST: ULKER Founders Sabri Ülker, Asim Ulker | Industry Food processing Revenue 1.798 billion (2011) Founded 22 February 1944 Parent organization Yıldız Holding Subsidiaries Godiva Chocolatier | |
 | ||
Key people Murat Ülker (Chairman)
Mehmet Tütüncü (CEO) Products Baby food, coffee, dairy products, breakfast cereals, confectionery, ice cream Profiles | ||
Surprise eggs for kinder surprise yupo funny egg lker
Ülker is a major Turkish manufacturer of food products, which are exported internationally, to 110 countries. The company's core products are biscuits, cookies, crackers, and chocolates, although Ülker has expanded to other product categories. On November 3, 2014, it was announced that Ulker's parent company Yildiz Holding agreed to purchase of United Biscuits of UK for a reported £2.2 billion.
Contents
One of its more recent products is Cola Turka, introduced in 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.
Ülker received the "Candy Company of the Year in Europe" award from the European Candy Kettle Club in 2004. In December 2007 the company agreed to acquire Godiva Chocolatier from Campbell Soup Co. for $850 million.
History
Ülker was founded in 1944 by Sabri and Asim Ülker, two brothers whose parents immigrated to Turkey from Crimea, commencing operations in Istanbul as a small bakery. A factory was opened in 1948. Ülker expanded in the 1970s to exporting to the Middle East 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.
The company employs more than 41,000 people and was the 5th on the list of the most successful manufacturers in Turkey in 2001, while Coca-Cola dropped back to ninth. Ülker sales reach $1.5 billion internationally.
Ülker Group
This Ülker Group, a subsidiary of Yildiz Holding, focuses on manufacturing, sales and marketing of the Ülker branded food products. The categories included are chocolates, bars, biscuits, wafers, confectionaries, chewing gums, baby food, baby diapers and personal care. This is the largest business area of the Ülker Group.