Organised by AFM and SPRI, the event was attended by three important Turkish user companies of the automotive and aeronautic component sectors: TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries), KALE AERO and HEMA ENDÜSTRI.

After the presentations at the Elgoibar Machine Tool Institute by AFM and SPRI on the Machine Tool sector and business opportunities on the Turkish market for manufacturing companies interested in approaching this sector, interviews and personal meetings with AFM’s associate companies were held. Participating firms were Lantek, Kokatu, CMI Aeronáutica, Gaindu, Doimak, Agme, Ona Electroerosion, Onapres, Danobat, Ibarmia, Loire Safe, Lan Bi, Gurutzpe, Ekin, MTorres, Fagor Automation and Lazpiur.

Turkey is a country with a population of 71 million, making it a very attractive market with a high growth potential. In fact, its GDP has grown continuously between 2003 and 2007 at an average rate of 7% and, after the 2008/2009 crisis, in 2010 the country expects growth of 3.5%. As a result, Turkey has become a country of great interest for the machine tool manufacturers.

Turkey is a great machinery consumer as it has an important metal processing industry. In 2009 the sector exported goods for a value of 12 million euros and the country now ranks in twelfth place, behind Brazil.