Our Corporate Structure

Asım Kocabıyık

Borusan Group Founder and
Honorary President (1924-2012)

Born in 1924 in Tazlar Village of Afyon, Asım Kocabıyık completed his primary education and the first two years of secondary school in Afyon, the last year of secondary school in Istanbul, and his high school education in Istanbul Erkek Lisesi (Istanbul Boys' High School). He graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics in 1947.

Asım Kocabıyık, whose business life was in parallel with Turkey's industrialisation journey, started working while he was still a student as a founding partner and board member in İstikbal Ticaret T.A.Ş., founded by his entrepreneur father Ahmet Kocabıyık in 1944. Kocabıyık served at İstikbal Ticaret A.Ş., which initially imported iron-steel and agricultural products, for 57 years, eight of which were as a Board Member and 49 years as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The company Asım Kocabıyık founded with his father also formed the core of today's Borusan Group.

Kocabıyık, who entered the industrial sector in 1958 with 27 employees, is the founder of the Borusan Group, which today includes various industrial enterprises employing more than 13,000 people and carries out important distributorship activities.

Kocabıyık explained his social responsibility activities, especially in the field of education, by saying, "I owe services to my country. I am trying to fulfill it". Kocabıyık carried out social works in the fields of education, culture, arts, and environment until his death.

Asım Kocabıyık also appeared among the founders of Türkiye Family Health and Planning Association (TAPV), TEMA, Education Volunteers Association, Turkish Music Association and Afyon Education Association. He served for 24 years in the management of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, 15 years in TÜSİAD, and as a chairman for 4 years in the Economic Development Foundation.

Asım Kocabıyık, who was awarded the title of honorary PhD by various higher education institutions, including Istanbul University, was also honored with the State Medal of Distinguished Service and the Order of Chivalry by the Italian Government.