Despite the interruption of the major machinery manufacturers in the world during the epidemic period, the continuation of production in Turkey led the world’s industrialists to Turkey and there was a 54% increase in machine tool orders.
According to the statement of the Machine Tools Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TIAD), the domestic machine tool industrialist, which increased its production by 20%, made a significant contribution to the 7% growth in the first quarter of 2021.
Fatih Varlik, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Machine Tools Industrialists and Business People Association (TIAD), whose views were included in the statement, drew attention to the fact that one of the sectors that contributed significantly to Turkey’s growth was the machine tool industry.
Varlik stated that with the onset of the pandemic, there has been an increase in the prices of machinery and equipment offered by China to the world markets, and that production has been suspended in India and Europe. On the other hand, he noted that production in Turkey did not stop and countries that wanted to buy machinery and equipment tended to Turkey, which was also influenced by the increase in freight prices.
Reminding that there was a 35% increase in machine tool orders and a 20% increase in production in the first quarter of the year, he said, “In the same period, our industry’s machine tool investments increased by 54% compared to 2020. Compared to 2018, the best first quarter of machine tool investment, there is an increase of 25%.”
“We are competing with the big manufacturers in Europe in the international market”
TIAD President Varlik stated that the increasing demand for Turkey will be temporary unless necessary precautions are taken in the machinery-equipment sector and emphasized that the sector should invest in machinery and develop production technology in order to compete with the advanced manufacturers that will start production when the effect of the pandemic subsides.
Mentioning that Turkey mostly produces through small-scale enterprises, Varlik said:
“We are competing with the big manufacturers in Europe in the international market. During the time since the beginning of the pandemic, we have benefited from the fact that these big manufacturers have stopped their production. We need to focus on this issue from the second half of the year. For this, we need to invest in automation like advanced industrial manufacturers. Various incentives need to be put into effect for the rapid mechanization of Turkey, especially for the import of parts used in the production of machine tools. Because there are only 5 countries in the world that have an export surplus. If imports are blocked, all sectors to which machine tools contribute are also adversely affected.”
Stating that he predicts that the year will be good, Varlik added that the increase in orders, especially in the automotive and automotive supply industry, agriculture, construction equipment and defense industry, is remarkable.
Source: AA / Translated by Irem Yildiz