OIZ Stars Research
Ranking among the top 100 companies in four categories in the OIZ Stars research, Baycan Elektrik increased its sales and employment in 2025 through its expansion in defense, aerospace, and automotive projects. The company aims to scale up its investments focused on artificial intelligence, automation, and green transformation by officially establishing its R&D unit in 2026.
ABDULLAH SÖNMEZ/ESKİŞEHİR Baycan Elektrik, which manufactures wiring harnesses and integrated cable assemblies for the white goods, automotive, and defense industries, ranked among the top 100 companies in 4 distinct categories in the OIZ Stars 2025 research conducted by the Supreme Organization of Organized Industrial Zones (OSBÜK). Stating that the rankings are an indicator of consistent development rather than just a standalone success for them, Baycan Elektrik General Manager Engin Yılmaz said, “Ranking in the top 100 among tens of thousands of manufacturing companies in Turkey is a reflection of the dedication our team has demonstrated for years. We view these results not as an award, but as a validation that we are taking the right steps. What we truly prioritize is improving our processes every single day to progress sustainably alongside our employees and stakeholders.”
A structure reaching 75 percent in female employment Reminding that they ranked 16th in the category of companies providing the highest female employment in the OIZ Stars, Yılmaz announced that 75 percent of their team of approximately 1,000 people consists of women. Connecting this figure to a naturally evolving production model, Yılmaz stated, “The success of our female employees in meticulousness, attention to detail, and critical component management creates an exceptionally strong synergy in production. For us, this is not positive discrimination; it is a natural employment policy that enhances efficiency. As a signatory of WEPs, we have set our 2026 targets as increasing the female representation rate in senior management from 55 percent to 60 percent, increasing our number of lean ambassadors through the Model Factory program, and expanding leadership development programs.”
Defense and aerospace projects driven sales growth Pointing out that ranking 62nd in the category of companies increasing their sales the most in OIZs shows that their strategic steps in 2025 have borne fruit, Yılmaz expressed that their positioning specifically within the defense and aerospace ecosystem was the decisive factor behind the sales increase. Engin Yılmaz continued his words as follows: “We developed new collaborations in high-tech projects such as aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and missile systems. Machinery, equipment, and automation investments added to our production lines significantly enhanced quality and efficiency. Strengthening our critical engineering staff accelerated our new product development processes, making us much more agile in responding to customer demands. Despite economic fluctuations, we are closing the year with both growth and profitability.”
“Employment is a social responsibility for us” Stating that they were included in the list as 73rd in the category of companies providing the highest employment in OIZs and 99th in the category of companies increasing their employment the most, Engin Yılmaz emphasized that their labor-intensive production structure transforms employment from an operational necessity into a social responsibility. Emphasizing that they group their employment policies under three headings, Yılmaz said, “Our recruitment model, executed through technical competency analysis, is supported by practical tests where we evaluate the skills of the candidates. Additionally, we strengthen our employees’ professional journeys through technical trainings, personal development programs, and university collaborations. We manage capacity expansion through long-term planning by closely monitoring the demand in the defense, aerospace, automotive, and white goods sectors.” Stating that the main reasons for the employment increase were the expansion of defense and aerospace projects in 2025, additional orders in the automotive and white goods segments, and the commissioning of new customer lines, Engin Yılmaz noted that additional hiring was also carried out for process specialist, technical personnel, and line leader positions by strengthening quality systems.
R&D unit to be established in the first quarter of 2026 In 2026, they will implement their main transformation targets under the headlines of digital transformation, green transformation, and R&D infrastructure, Yılmaz said, adding: “We are establishing our official R&D unit in the first quarter of 2026 to elevate our engineering power to a corporate and structured level. In parallel, we are designing a comprehensive transformation project that integrates artificial intelligence applications into our production and planning processes. While increasing our operational efficiency with automation, digital twin, and data analytics solutions, we are also accelerating our green transformation investments. Our short-term goals include reducing our carbon footprint, optimizing energy consumption, and expanding our sustainable material supply infrastructure in line with European Green Deal criteria. We aim to secure Baycan Elektrik’s global competitiveness not only through production capacity but also via technology and sustainability leadership
