Uzel Holding
Encyclopedia
Uzel Group is an agricultural machinery manufacturer. Formally founded in 1937 with a heritage going back to the middle of the nineteenth century, the Group is one of the oldest industrial groups with Turkish origins. With its head office in Amsterdam
, The Netherlands, Uzel is an international firm present in over 75 countries.
s in the city of Rousse
in Bulgaria
, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire
. Uzel’s hand-built phaetons prove popular, and are shipped and used all over the empire. In 1937, the foundations of the Uzel Group are laid in Turkey
. Ibrahim Uzel, the founder and the first Chairman of the Uzel Group, sets up a sole proprietorship in Bursa(ancient Prusa) and begins making leaf spring
s for motor vehicles. In 1961, Ibrahim Uzel
’s dream of building a vehicle is realised with the production of the company’s first agricultural tractors. The Company builds its first diesel engine in 1964.
In 1997, 15 % of the shares of a subsidiary of the Group, Uzel Makina, were listed both in Istanbul
and London Stock Exchanges
in an IPO coordinated by Morgan Stanley
. In 2005, in order to align itself with global competitive conditions, Uzel relocates its headquarters to Amsterdam in the Netherlands
. Same year, the company acquires Gebrüder Holder GmbH, one of Europe
’s oldest and most reputable tractor makers. A regional distributorship agreement is signed with Kverneland
, a leading name in the global market for agricultural implements, to take another step on Uzel's goal of becoming a full-line agricultural machinery provider for its customers worldwide. Advanced-technology implements go on sale under the Uzel-Kverneland name. Implement and combine harvester production lines commence operation.
Argentum, the venture capital arm of Uzel, acquires the Century 21 master franchise license from Realogy
for Germany
, Croatia
, Slovakia
, Slovenia
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
, Serbia
, Montenegro
, Azerbaijan
and Hungary
in 2006, becoming the first Turkish company to undersign such an achievement in Europe.
By 2006, the Group had expanded its products to over 75 countries and operating in a few different industries so a major reorganisation was undertaken, and the Group was divided into three Strategic Business Units: Agri (tractors, combines, cotton harvesters, sprayers, implements), Auto (engines, suspension systems, auto parts, defence systems, motorcycles, leaf springs) and Argentum (real estate, hospitality, franchising, technology).
In 2007, Uzel was successful in buying 51% of the Ursus Tractor Factory
, manufacturer of the Ursus brand of tractors, and a former Massey Ferguson
licensee.
By 2007, Uzel was one of ten largest tractor companies in the world with six manufacturing facilities and three major brands.
However, by 2010, Uzel has gone through a major overhaul and had given up its Holder and Ursus brands. The Company has leaner operations and decided to continue with a single brand strategy and concentrates on Uzel brand worldwide.
* Tractors
* Combines
* Cotton Harvesters
* Sprayers
* Implement
* Diesel Engines
* Leaf Springs
* Suspension Systems
* Auto Parts
* Defence Systems
* Real Estate
* Technology
Vidzone
* Franchising
Century21 Turkey
Century21 Eurasia
* Hospitality
The Pucic Palace, Dubrovnik
L'Ambiance Hotel, Bodrum
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, The Netherlands, Uzel is an international firm present in over 75 countries.
History
The roots of Uzel Group reach back to 1864 when the Uzel family began making and selling phaetonPhaeton
Phaeton, Phaëton, Phaethon, or Phaëthon may refer to:In Greek mythology, several figures with astral associations:*Phaëton, son of Helios*Phaethon , guardian of the temples of Aphrodite...
s in the city of Rousse
Rousse
Ruse is the fifth-largest city in Bulgaria. Ruse is situated in the northeastern part of the country, on the right bank of the Danube, opposite the Romanian city of Giurgiu, from the capital Sofia and from the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast...
in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. Uzel’s hand-built phaetons prove popular, and are shipped and used all over the empire. In 1937, the foundations of the Uzel Group are laid in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. Ibrahim Uzel, the founder and the first Chairman of the Uzel Group, sets up a sole proprietorship in Bursa(ancient Prusa) and begins making leaf spring
Leaf spring
Originally called laminated or carriage spring, a leaf spring is a simple form of spring, commonly used for the suspension in wheeled vehicles...
s for motor vehicles. In 1961, Ibrahim Uzel
Ibrahim Uzel
Ibrahim Uzel with his family , following the Ottoman-Russian War in 1878, migrated from the Balkan industrial city of Ruse to the province of Bursa where they continued their former business of producing carriages in their new home...
’s dream of building a vehicle is realised with the production of the company’s first agricultural tractors. The Company builds its first diesel engine in 1964.
In 1997, 15 % of the shares of a subsidiary of the Group, Uzel Makina, were listed both in Istanbul
Istanbul Stock Exchange
The Istanbul Stock Exchange is the only corporation in Turkey for securities exchange established to provide trading in equities, bonds and bills, revenue-sharing certificates, private sector bonds, foreign securities and real estate certificates as well as international securities. The ISE was...
and London Stock Exchanges
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
in an IPO coordinated by Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm headquartered in New York City serving a diversified group of corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals. Morgan Stanley also operates in 36 countries around the world, with over 600 offices and a workforce of over 60,000....
. In 2005, in order to align itself with global competitive conditions, Uzel relocates its headquarters to Amsterdam in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Same year, the company acquires Gebrüder Holder GmbH, one of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
’s oldest and most reputable tractor makers. A regional distributorship agreement is signed with Kverneland
Kverneland
Kverneland Group Norway is a leading international company developing, producing and distributing agricultural machinery and services. Strong focus on innovation allows us to provide a unique and broad product range with high quality. Kverneland Group offers an extensive package of systems and...
, a leading name in the global market for agricultural implements, to take another step on Uzel's goal of becoming a full-line agricultural machinery provider for its customers worldwide. Advanced-technology implements go on sale under the Uzel-Kverneland name. Implement and combine harvester production lines commence operation.
Argentum, the venture capital arm of Uzel, acquires the Century 21 master franchise license from Realogy
Realogy
Realogy is a privately owned company that provides real estate and relocation services. It owns and franchises several of the industry's leading real estate brands and brokerages...
for Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
in 2006, becoming the first Turkish company to undersign such an achievement in Europe.
By 2006, the Group had expanded its products to over 75 countries and operating in a few different industries so a major reorganisation was undertaken, and the Group was divided into three Strategic Business Units: Agri (tractors, combines, cotton harvesters, sprayers, implements), Auto (engines, suspension systems, auto parts, defence systems, motorcycles, leaf springs) and Argentum (real estate, hospitality, franchising, technology).
In 2007, Uzel was successful in buying 51% of the Ursus Tractor Factory
Ursus Tractor Factory
The Ursus Factory is a Polish producer of agricultural machinery located in Warsaw.- Early History :The Ursus Factory was founded in Poland in 1893 on 15 Siennej Street, Warsaw, by three engineers and four businessmen...
, manufacturer of the Ursus brand of tractors, and a former Massey Ferguson
Massey Ferguson
Massey Ferguson Limited was a major agricultural equipment manufacturer which was based in Canada before its purchase by AGCO. The company was formed by a merger between Massey Harris and the Ferguson tractor company in 1953, creating the company Massey Harris Ferguson. However in 1958 the name was...
licensee.
By 2007, Uzel was one of ten largest tractor companies in the world with six manufacturing facilities and three major brands.
However, by 2010, Uzel has gone through a major overhaul and had given up its Holder and Ursus brands. The Company has leaner operations and decided to continue with a single brand strategy and concentrates on Uzel brand worldwide.
Business Units
- Agri Business Unit
* Tractors
* Combines
* Cotton Harvesters
* Sprayers
* Implement
- Auto Business Unit
* Diesel Engines
* Leaf Springs
* Suspension Systems
* Auto Parts
* Defence Systems
- Argentum Business Unit
* Real Estate
* Technology
Vidzone
* Franchising
Century21 Turkey
Century21 Eurasia
* Hospitality
The Pucic Palace, Dubrovnik
L'Ambiance Hotel, Bodrum
Hall of Fame Award
In 2007 Uzel has been awarded with the prestigious Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame Award. This award is given to top-performing organisations for execution excellence of strategy through the use of the Balanced Scorecard. Created by Drs. Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton, current Hall of Fame members include some of the most admired entreprises in the world. Uzel is the first company to receive this award in the agricultural machinery sector in the world, as well as the first company with Turkish origins.External links
- Uzel Group Official Website Uzel Group
- Uzel Tractor Uzel Tractor
- Uzel Automotive Uzel Automotive
- Argentum Ventures Argentum Ventures
- Holder GmbH Holder GmbH
- Ursus Tractors Ursus Tractors
- Kverneland Kverneland
- The Pucic Palace The Pucic Palace
- Vidzone Vidzone
- Century21 TurkeyCentury21 Turkey
- Caretta Parts