Turkey's First Heavy Industry KARDEMİR: Adding Value to the Country's Economy for 88 Years

Karabük Demir ve Çelik Fabrikaları, as Turkey's first heavy industry, has been operating since 1937 and has been adding value to the country's economy for 88 years. Based on the instructions of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and with the efforts of then Prime Minister İsmet İnönü, the foundation of Turkey's heavy industry was laid in Karabük on April 3, 1937. The first blast furnace was commissioned on September 9, 1939, and one day later, on September 10, 1939, the first Turkish iron was produced.

Karabük Demir ve Çelik Fabrikaları (KARDEMİR), with around 5,000 employees and known by the nickname "factories that build factories," aims to produce 3.5 million tons of liquid steel annually.

The Governor of Karabük, Mustafa Yavuz, stated that they proudly and happily celebrate the 88th anniversary of the establishment of KARDEMİR and the "heart of the Western Black Sea," Karabük, and added: "The power of steel in rice fields, combined with human labor and the determination of the people of a city, creates a blue fire that heralds the birth of Karabük."

Karabük, a City with a Rich History

Yavuz also added that unlike many cities in Turkey that celebrate their liberation from enemy occupation, Karabük celebrates its birth. He said: "Karabük, the capital of labor and production, is one of the most important industrial cities of our young republic and, at the same time, is home to ancient history, rich culture, and valuable heritage."

KARDEMİR, the Driving Force of the Country's Economy

Yavuz further noted that with every step taken in the industrial field, social and environmental responsibilities are taken into consideration and emphasized: "With the leadership of KARDEMİR, we are adding strength to the country’s economy through our production and employment capacity in the industry. We are progressing in fields such as education, culture, arts, and tourism to achieve Turkey's vision for the next century."

Industrial Areas in Karabük

In Karabük, there are two industrial zones: the "Karabük Organized Industrial Zone" and the "Eskipazar Organized Industrial Zone," which play a vital role in the region's economic growth and the increase of employment opportunities. Governor Yavuz also stated: "The Karabük Organized Industrial Zone has great potential for attracting investment and strengthening the industrial capacity of the province, and the Eskipazar Organized Industrial Zone will also bring a new perspective to the industry and the industrial development path of Karabük."