ELiAR, a pioneering Turkish company specializing in industrial automation, is taking a new step forward in its global expansion by establishing a new branch at Brainport Industries Campus (BIC) in the Netherlands. Founded in 1984 in Istanbul, ELiAR has grown into a multidisciplinary research and development center, providing cutting-edge technology solutions for manufacturing industries. CEO Mehmet Taygun discussed the company’s vision for its new venture at BIC and the opportunities it presents for innovation and growth in the European market.
Why BIC?
ELiAR’s decision to establish a branch at Brainport Industries Campus was driven by the campus’s commitment to fostering innovation in Industry 4.0 technologies, Taygun explains. “BIC is dedicated to Industry 4.0 and other forward-looking industrial technologies, making it an ideal starting point for our mission,” Taygun explained. The Netherlands, with its open innovation culture and strong industrial and scientific traditions, provides a fertile environment for ELiAR’s expansion.
For ELiAR, the move to BIC is not just about tapping into the Dutch market but also accessing a broader European network. The company sees significant opportunities in the region, particularly in sectors like environmental and process optimization. “Our primary objective is to serve the specialized vertical markets where we already have significant domain expertise,” Taygun said. “The Dutch and European markets offer particular opportunities for our Smart Sensors division, which are becoming increasingly vital.”
ELiAR’s growth and innovation strategy
Taygun sees the BIC branch as a key driver in ELiAR’s long-term growth strategy. “ELiAR BV at BIC is poised to become the primary research and innovation flagship for the entire ELiAR group,” he noted. This new base is expected to bolster the company’s ability to collaborate closely with international research organizations and universities, thereby driving innovation across the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) spectrum—from basic research to the development of final products.
In addition to serving its existing markets, ELiAR’s presence in the Netherlands positions it to expand into new sectors. The company’s Smart Sensors, which are designed to optimize environmental and process conditions, are expected to gain traction in European industries focused on sustainability and efficiency. Taygun believes this expansion will enable ELiAR to “extend our services to selected markets on a global scale.”
Alignment with Dutch values
The business culture at BIC, and in the Netherlands more broadly, aligns well with ELiAR’s corporate values, which are rooted in open innovation and a long-term vision for sustainable growth. “The Netherlands offers the necessary tools to establish an independent company board that safeguards the company’s future operations after the founders step away from the business,” Taygun said. This structure can help ensure ELiAR’s mission and values are maintained well into the future.
From startup to global player
Founded at a time when external financing options were limited in Turkey, ELiAR’s journey has been one of resilience and innovation. From its early days as a startup to becoming a government-certified R&D center in 2015, ELiAR has evolved into a trusted partner for industrial automation solutions across multiple industries, including textiles and glass. The company’s core competencies include sensing and control equipment, mechatronics, robotics, machine learning, AI, and software solutions such as SCADA and MES systems.
Despite its expansion, Taygun emphasized that ELiAR remains committed to its original principles. “In-house R&D has always been the driving force and top priority for the company,” he said. This focus on research and innovation has allowed ELiAR to stay ahead in a competitive market, while its expansion into Europe marks a new chapter in its growth story.
As ELiAR embarks on this new venture, the company aims to strengthen its position as a leader in industrial automation, with its sights set on becoming a multinational applied research center. By leveraging the opportunities at BIC and in the broader European market, ELiAR hopes to continue delivering innovative solutions to its clients worldwide.
BIC and ELiAR
BIC managing director Erik Veurink proudly welcomes ELİAR as a new tenant. “If you look at ELiAR’s focus and recent development, it feels like the perfect fit for us, and I am sure that counts for all the other tenants as well. Together, we keep building and improving our ecosystem in high-tech manufacturing. ELiAR, with its focus on industrial automation for textiles, glass, and ceramics, and well known for its advanced systems and software that optimize processes from dyeing machinery to management-level information, can become a great addition to this ecosystem. It’s a clear advantage for BIC as well as for ELiAR.”
Collaboration
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