A major player in the global battery sector GS Yuasa of Japan commenced strategic partnership negotiations with İnci Akü, top exporter for the past six years and the leader of the battery sector in Turkey.

The ultimate aim of this partnership is to gear up for a major push in Turkey and in international markets.

 

İnci Akü, a subsidiary of İnci Holding, finalised the first stage of partnership and shareholders agreement with GS Yuasa of Japan. President of GS Yuasa Makoto Yoda visited Izmir on 10 June, following the signing of the Letter of Intent in April.

 

The parties are expected to finalise the legal process after signing the shareholders agreement at İnci Holding Headquarters in Izmir. İnci Akü is listed by Brand Finance, the international brand valuation consultancy, amongst the top 100 Most Valuable Brands in Turkey.

 

İnci Akü’s starter and industrial batteries are marketed under the EAS, Hugel, Blizzaro and İnci Akü brands and reach customers through 250 main dealers, 3,500 retail shops and 212 authorised services. The company also exports to more than 80 countries in four continents through 90 distributors.

 

Speaking about the agreement, President of İnci Holding Perihan İnci said, ‘Our business model involves partnering with pioneering companies in their fields in order to achieve solid and sustainable growth together with our partner.

 

‘Since partnering with a foreign company 23 years ago, our wheel business has maintained a steady growth rate of 15% per year; that alone is significant indication. In 2014, we signed a fruitful partnership agreement in logistics with Yusen. And more recently, we entered into a successful partnership with ATEN, our waste management company, and Brantner, Austria. Now we expect to maintain our success together with a major player in the battery industry. Following a merger between Japan Storage Battery, whose history goes back to 1895, and Yuasa, which was established in 1913, GS Yuasa was formed in 2004. Today, GS Yuasa is amongst the leading battery manufacturers in the world. The company has entered into successful partnerships with such key names as Tata of India in 2005, Mitsubishi in 2007, and Honda in 2009.

 

‘GS Yuasa now carries out partnerships with 36 countries around the world. The company is a giant providing employment for more than 13,600. We believe that our partnership with GS Yuasa will enable us to realise outstanding projects.’

 

President of GS Yuasa Makoto Yoda said, ‘GS Yuasa’s goal is to grow in global arena. Our partnership with İnci Holding will strategically reinforce the company in the market. Turkey is located in a highly strategic site. These are important advantages that we wish to leverage.’