Ali Haluk Acikgoz
Ali Haluk Açıkgöz (born in 1964 in Istanbul) is a Turkish entrepreneur and industrialist. He is the founder of Beşel Bijon, a Turkish manufacturer and exporter of automotive fasteners. He is the father of two children, Esra Zeynep Açıkgöz (b. 1994) and Ali Emre Açıkgöz (b. 2006).
Early career
Açıkgöz began his business career in 1979 by co-founding Beşel Bijon with his four siblings. The company initially operated with basic tools and a small workshop. Within a few years, it expanded into international markets, exporting to more than 38 countries and establishing global dealership networks.[1]
In 1996, Açıkgöz entered into partnership discussions with Neumayer, a German automotive supplier. In 2002, further talks were held with the U.S.-based Fairchild company for establishing aircraft parts production in Turkey. However, these negotiations did not result in finalized agreements.
Achievements
In 2001, Açıkgöz was named among Turkey’s most successful young entrepreneurs. The following year, Beşel Bijon reportedly became the first Turkish company in its sector to exceed €1 billion in revenue. The company received consecutive performance awards from major automakers including Mercedes-Benz, MAN, and Chrysler.[2]
In 2003, Beşel Bijon ranked third in Turkey’s national export rankings. According to company statements, MAN offered free industrial land in Germany to relocate the factory, but the offer was declined.[2]
Açıkgöz was also reportedly listed among the top 10 young industrial leaders in France in 2001, although he did not attend the ceremony. Beşel Bijon was later included in the “Anatolian Tigers” list published by the Turkish newspaper Dünya.
He has made media appearances on national and international economic programs, including TRT and HBO, where he provided commentary on industry trends and Turkish manufacturing.
Legacy and philanthropy
Under Açıkgöz’s leadership, Beşel Bijon expanded its operations by opening facilities in Istanbul, Bursa, Aksaray, Düsseldorf (Germany), and New Jersey (United States). While known for maintaining a low profile, Açıkgöz is believed to have contributed to various philanthropic efforts, including education and animal welfare, although such activities were not publicly promoted.
Later years
A serious incident at the Aksaray factory in 2007 reportedly marked a turning point in Açıkgöz’s professional life. He retired from active business in 2014. By 2015, his personal net worth was estimated at over €500 million. In the same year, he allegedly faced regulatory challenges involving Turkey’s Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK). Since then, Açıkgöz has remained out of the public eye and has not announced any new business ventures.
References
- ↑ "Bir torna tezgâhıyla başlayıp bijonda dünya markası oldu". BigPara (Hürriyet). 2008.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid
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