Ãœlker is a Turkish
multinational food and beverage manufacturer based in
Istanbul, Turkey. Its products are exported internationally, to 110 countries.
Ãœlker's core products are biscuits, cookies, crackers, and chocolates, although it has expanded to other categories.
Ãœlker received the "Candy Company of the Year in Europe" award from the European Candy Kettle Club in 2004. In December 2007, the company acquired
Godiva Chocolatier from the
Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company, trade name, doing business as Campbell's, is an American processed food and snack company. The company is most closely associated with its flagship canned soup products; however, through mergers and acquisitions, it has gro ...
for $850 million.
In 2016, Yıldız Holding transferred 51% of Ülker's shares to its new global business
Pladis.
History
Ãœlker was founded in 1944 by
Sabri and Asim Ãœlker, two brothers whose parents immigrated to Turkey from
Crimea, commencing operations in
Istanbul as a small bakery. A factory was opened in 1948. Ãœlker expanded in the 1970s to exporting to the
Middle East market, chocolate manufacturing, and packaging. By the end of the 20th century, Ãœlker was manufacturing margarine, vegetable oil, and dairy products. In 2002, Ãœlker diversified into carbonated beverages and in 2003 added
Turkish coffee, ice cream, and baby food to its product range. One of its more important products is
Cola Turka, introduced into the Turkish market in 2003. The advertisement of Cola Turka featured actor
Chevy Chase, and according to local sources
Coca-Cola cut 10% off its prices due to the success of the Cola Turka launch.
Parent company Yıldız Holding employed more than 41,000 people and was the fifth on the list of the most successful manufacturers in
Turkey in 2001. Ülker sales reach $1.5 billion internationally. Fulya Banu Sürücü has been appointed as the CFO of the company, effective from January 3, 2022.
See also
*
List of food companies
References
External links
Official websiteMoody's rating raised
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ulker
Food and drink companies of Turkey
Companies based in Istanbul
Turkish brands
Companies listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange
Yıldız Holding
Food and drink companies established in 1944
Turkish companies established in 1944
Confectionery companies
Chocolate companies
Dairy products companies