Kale Kilit
History
Kale Kilit was founded by Sadık Ozgur in 1953 and since then, the company has become a powerful player in the Turkish economy due to its manufacturing, employment and export figures.
Mr. Ozgur began his career in a workshop in Tahtakale where he produced metal bed frames and gas stoves. It was during a particularly difficult period in the Turkish economy that he was able to create the first locally manufactured locks.
The high standards of workmanship of the locks ensured that they were soon in popular demand. In 1957, the workshop moved to a new facility measuring 1640 m2 on the Eski Londra Asfaltı road in Bahçelievler. Production continued with increased numbers of employees and machinery which culminated in the establishment of Kale Kollektif Sirketi in 1958.
At that time, the company had successfully begun to manufacture padlocks and new investments lead to the company’s growth. The company was re-named Kale Madeni Eşya Fabrikası in 1963 followed by the manufacturing of Turkey’s first safe lock in 1965.
The first Turkish company to export locks
With its mission statement revolving around customer focused production and service, high standards of business ethics and principles based on honesty, Kale Madeni Esya Fabrikası became the first Turkish company to export locks in 1974 thus promoting its principles of quality, trust and guarantee on a worldwide basis.
Kale Kilit expanded its export markets within a short period of time and just as in Turkey, the company succeeded in becoming a leading lock brand worldwide.
Faced with increasing demand, the company moved to its current premises measuring 35.000 m2 in Gungoren where Kale Kilit ve Kalıp Sanayi A.S. was established as the first integrated technological lock factory.
The company manufactured Turkey’s first master system cylinder in 1980, followed by the first car steering wheel locks in 1987.
Kale companies under the “Kale Endustri Holding” umbrella
Important milestones in corporate development were achieved in the years from 1979 to 1986, which saw the establishment of Kale Endüstri Holding. Kale Vida Sanayi A.Ş. was established in 1980, Kale Madeni Eşya ve Pazarlama in 1981, and Kale Dış Ticaret A.Ş. in 1986.
All Kale companies were gathered under the “Kale Endustri Holding” umbrella in 1988.
Turkey’s first high security cylinder was manufactured in 1994, followed by Turkey’s first multi-point locking system in 1995. 1999 saw the production of Turkey’s first monoblock steel door locks and steel door security lock. Turkey’s first claw type lock was manufactured in 2004.
Today, commanding 65 % of the domestic market, Kale Kilit is the leading manufacturer of cylinders, locks, steel door locks, screws, steering wheel locks and accessories in Turkey.
Kale Kilit has recorded growth in exports on an annual basis and was responsible for more than half of all the locks exported in 2005.
The export figures achieved by Kale Kilit in 2006-2009 ensured leadership in the “metal goods” category of the General Secretariat of Istanbul Mineral and Metal Exporters Association (IMMIB) which has awarded the company with the “Star of Exports” award for four consecutive years.
Kale Kilit, who is responsible for 60% of locks exported from Turkey, exports to 75 countries regularly each year. To date, Kale Kilit has achieved sales in 102 countries and its locks are present in more than 100 million doors around the world.
Kale Kilit has spearheaded the movement for the industrialisation of Turkey and has secured its position amongst Turkey’s top 500 large industrial establishments. With ever-increasing annual, Kale Kilit aims to be amongst the world’s top 10 lock brands within 10 years.
Kale Endustri Holding comprises the following companies: Kale Kilit ve Kalıp San. A.S., Kale Kilit Dıs Ticaret A.S., Kale Celik Esya San A.S., Kale Kapı Pencere Sistemleri Paz. Ve Tic. A.S., Kale Sigorta Acenteciliği A.S., Kale Yapı ve Tic A.S., Kale İnsaat San. Ve Tic. A.S.
