1898
Bayraktarlar's Interest in Automotive
Hacı Halil Bayraktar, who worked as a municipal police officer in Kayseri in the late 19th century, was commissioned by the Mayor of Kayseri in 1898 to bring a fire truck from Istanbul to Kayseri; he was among the first drivers of the Ottoman and Turkey with his driver training.
Automotive has always played an important role in Bayraktarlar Group of Companies, whose foundations were laid in Kayseri. Starting with founder Halil Bayraktar and making great progress in the transportation-spare parts business, Bayraktarlar Group started to expand with the efforts of the second generation since 1935. With the contributions of Haci Mehmet Bayraktar, business areas expanded and Bayraktarlar became one of the leading commercial companies in the region.
In 1953, İzzet Bayraktar of the third generation introduced the family business to import trading. With the idea that staying in Kayseri would not be enough in this new process, the headquarters of the company was moved to Istanbul and the transition was completed in 1963.
1964
Moving from Kayseri to Istanbul
Izzet and Hüseyin Bayraktar brothers opened their first business in Istanbul in Taksim-Talimhane. Izzet Bayraktar moved with his family from Kayseri to Istanbul.
Bayraktar brothers acquired the Kayseri dealership of Mercedes-Otomarsan to Merkay AS, which they established in Kayseri.
1975
Establishment of Bayraktarlar Motor Vehicles
Bayraktar brothers founded their first company “Bayraktarlar Motor Vehicles Trade and Industry Joint Stock Company” in Istanbul.
1979
Establishment of Farba Automotive Exterior Lighting Equipment Factory
Farba Automotive Exterior Lighting Factory was established in Bursa with Cibie license.
Bayraktar brothers, by establishing a tourism company called Turbay, began investments in the Mediterranean coastline.
1987
Laying The Foundation of Atakoy Galleria Mall
The foundation of Galleria, Turkey's first shopping mall, of which Bayraktarlar is a founding partner, was laid in Istanbul-Atakoy.
1987
Aygersan Acquired by Bayraktarlar Group
Aygersan company in Ankara joined the Bayraktarlar Group with its industrial facilities.
Ataköy Galleria shopping center was opened.
Izzet and Hüseyin Bayraktar brothers ended their partnership in business life.
1992
License Agreement with Koito for Toyota
A product-based technical license agreement was signed with the Japanese company Koito.
Bayraktarlar Holding acquired the Büyük Tarabya Hotel from the Privatization Administration with a tender.
2011
Acquisition of the German odelo Group by Bayraktarlar Holding
The German odelo Group, which has 4 factories in Germany and 1 in Slovenia, was acquired and incorporated into Bayraktarlar Group.
2012
Establishment of Farba's Second Factory in TOSB Organized Industrial Zone
Farba's second factory was opened in the TOSB Organized Industrial Zone in Kocaeli.
2012
Establishment of VLE Electronics
In order to meet the increasing demand for automotive electronics production of the group companies, VLE Electronics was established and started production in its modern facilities in TOSB Organized Industrial Zone.
2013
Opening of The Grand Tarabya Hotel
Büyük Tarabya Hotel, which has been renovated, was opened under the name "The Grand Tarabya".
odelo-Farba's third factory was established in Tianjin, China.
2018
Laying the Foundation of odelo-Farba Bulgaria Factory in Plovdiv
A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and the factory started production exactly one year later on 28.06.2019.
During the process of full integration into the global automotive sector under the umbrella of Bayraktarlar Automotive Lighting, our investments in Bursa and all other abroad (Germany, Bulgaria, China, Mexico and Slovenia) were gathered under the brand name "odelo". Gebze TOSB factory, which continues to serve local vehicle manufacturers under the brand name "Farba", has been named Farba Lighting Systems Inc.
