Hamza Akca, who first stepped into OSTİM at the age of 17, found himself amidst the hectic construction work of the late 1970s. In those years when the most vital construction materials were hard to find, Akca was one of those who toiled for the OSTİM dream, and today he continues to serve successfully as OSTİM's External Relations Coordinator with the same enthusiasm.
Hamza Akca, while recounting the days he left behind, summarizes his points as follows: “Just imagine, OSTİM was envisioned amidst those difficulties. Our elders at that time had planned a beautiful OSTİM. As OSTİM grew, it was like a snowball, a ball of snow, and now it has turned into an avalanche. With a good team, from management to personnel, for the sake of God and with a love for our country, we achieved success.”
Let's start with your first encounter with OSTİM…
My uncle started working at OSTİM in 1973. Through him, I came to OSTİM in 1977 when I was 17 years old. Our Chairman of the Board at that time was Turan Çiğdem. At that time, the shops in the first block on the first street were finished. The foundations for the third and fourth blocks had also been laid. There was nothing; iron, cement, and diesel were in short supply. These were obtained through storage. Nearly 1500 workers were employed by around 30 subcontractors. Our job was to procure construction materials. We had sand depots on Alınteri Boulevard, and where OFİM is now located, we had depots for electrical materials and underground cables. Imagine, OSTİM was envisioned amidst those difficulties… Our elders at that time planned a beautiful OSTİM. Of course, while planning, you encounter shortages. A shortage of iron and cement.
Did they procure the materials through a cooperative?
The cooperative would buy the materials; it would give the formwork planks and nails to the subcontractors. It would buy the iron from the blacksmith and give it back. It would buy the cement from the concrete supplier. We handled the material tracking. After 1984, I worked with our late Board Member Dursun Ertekin. We did the work that I am doing today together. We followed up on OSTİM's official dealings with government institutions. We were OSTİM's face to the outside world.
“ANKARA USED TO BE KNOWN AS A CITY OF CIVIL SERVANTS”
During that period, the workshops in the streets you mentioned were built, and then they started to be handed over...
The lottery started in 1978. Until 1984, 300-350 shops were completed each year, and in the year they were completed, a lottery was held collectively by the general assembly decision. Those who paid early received their shops early. There was a lot of excitement among our management and industrialists back then, and there still is. Mr. Turan, may God bless him, was a very dear and respected elder of mine, a very enthusiastic person. I also remember my late elder, Cevat Dündar, with respect. May God grant him paradise. May God bless those who served with him. Ankara was known as a city of civil servants. After the 1980s, it was named the Middle East Industrial and Trade Center (OSTİM) by a decision of the board of directors.
Looking at OSTİM with its current structure, it has achieved a level of institutionalization far beyond that of an organized industrial zone. What do you feel when you look at OSTİM?
I continue with the same enthusiasm I had when I started. As OSTİM grew, it was like a snowball, a ball of snow, and now it has turned into an avalanche. With a good team, from management to personnel, we achieved success for the sake of God and with a love for our country. Mr. Turan Çiğdem always had the idea of nationalism in his mind. He had the idea of the defense industry. He would say, "We will build our own tank." He would talk about this at every general assembly. May God bless our President, Mr. Orhan Aydın, today. All the goals that benefit not only OSTİM but also the country are being achieved one by one. Not only in terms of industry, but also clustering, universities, vocational schools, apprenticeship schools… The secret to every success lies in education. Human quality, in a sense, increases with education.
The workshops were dismantled, housing was provided, and everyone acquired offices in the business centers. This place is now gradually taking on a city appearance…
Every bank is trying to open two or three branches, but they can't find any space. Currently, there are 50 banks with branches in OSTİM. Look how far we've come! I have two children. I tell them, "When you go out, say 'Bismillah' (in the name of God), and after saying 'Bismillah,' show love and respect to people. And race against time to convince people." God has given me such a stance. With my stance and my actions, I know that, with God's permission, all doors will open.
“OSTIM IS MY HOME”
What are you currently doing regarding OSTİM?
I am handling matters with official institutions as the External Relations Coordinator.
What is the most important factor contributing to your success here?
I can say all of them. OSTİM is my home, my sanctuary, my father, my mother, and my child. Because we grew up in OSTİM. OSTİM is growing… I tell this to the people I love very much; you shouldn't neglect OSTİM, nor should you neglect your workplace. If you can find peace where you work, you don't feel tired. OSTİM is now an international brand. Many international delegations come here.
What does it feel like to be a preferred brand?
In the past, it was even difficult to attract a professor or university lecturer. Now, they consider OSTİM a model. Any citizen, whether they're a brother, sister, uncle, or relative in Ankara, when they have a job in the industry, says, "I'll have it done in OSTİM." Whether they go to GERSAN or İvedik, they say OSTİM. OSTİM is an unparalleled brand, and that makes us proud.
Our late President Turgut Özal also showed interest in OSTİM. He contributed greatly to OSTİM. He would come to the region every month. He provided support; he ensured that everyone received their title deeds by individualizing the land titles. May God grant him paradise and may he rest in peace.
In the old days, we used to provide clothing and provisions for all the apprentices at the OSTİM Apprentice Training and Education School. Later, when it was handed over to Mr. İbrahim Karakoç, they started providing these services. Imagine how happy the apprentices were with the clothes they wore back then! The foundation was established for that very purpose: to provide them with clothing, tools, and stationery.
We have brothers who graduated from those early days and now own factories. Some are making stone crushing machines. They're making machines worth trillions. He was an apprentice there, a welder in those years, but today he's making big machines and undertaking big projects. I tell those around me: "Either you go to a very good school, or you have to have a good profession." I think having a good profession is as valuable as graduating from a good school. OSTIM is a blessed and prosperous place, established with good intentions.
We never looked at any event from a commercial or monetary perspective. Together with our elders, we held onto one side of the OSTİM flag and calculated, "How far can we carry this?" And we continue to do so today.
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