Elka and the Turkish Boat Market with Furkan of Çarkçı
At the Düsseldorf 2024 Boat Fair, we had the opportunity to meet Katia, owner of Elka, and Furkan, owner of Çarkçı company and the only Elka distributor in the Turkish market. Their collaboration, which began in 2014 at the METS fair in Amsterdam, is a perfect example of how business relationships can evolve into solid friendships and successful partnerships.
The Collaboration between Elka and Çarkçı
The collaboration between Elka and Çarkçı began in 2014 when Katia met Furkan's father at the METS fair in Amsterdam, one of the most important in the nautical industry. “I met his dad, with whom a great bond was immediately formed,” Katia recounted. This meeting marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that, in the years that followed, also included Furkan and his sister Aysian. “Two fantastic people who, besides being our distributors, are also special people who have become friends,” Katia added.
The Boating Market in Turkey Post-COVID
Furkan shared with us the dynamics of the Turkish boat market after the COVID-19 pandemic. “After COVID, we had an ascent like all other countries,” Furkan explained. The boating sector has seen an increase in new construction, refits, and new dinghy sales. Although the market is now calming down, Furkan remains optimistic about the industry's future prospects in Turkey.
Appreciation for Elka Products
When it comes to Elka products, Furkan has no doubts about the importance of quality and innovation. “We always do well with Elka because there is always a new thing, always there is new innovation, high quality,” Furkan said. He also stressed the importance of prompt resolution of any problems: “Every product might have some problem and we always have a quick solution here.”
Furkan pointed out that Elka's continuous innovation and ability to introduce new products to the market are key to maintaining a competitive advantage. “Always new products, but new ones that don't exist in the market. So we are always pleased to be ahead of everyone,” he said.
A Relationship of Mutual Growth
Katia expressed her gratitude for the collaboration with Çarkçı, acknowledging how the needs of the Turkish market have contributed to Elka's growth. “We have also grown so much with you, with your needs,” Katia said. Working with Furkan and his team has not only enabled Elka to expand its presence in Turkey, but has also incentivized the company to develop new products that satisfy both distributors and end customers.
Conclusion
The partnership between Elka and Çarkçı represents a successful model based on trust, innovation and quality. This partnership has not only strengthened Elka's position in the Turkish nautical market, but also created a strong and lasting bond between the two companies. The story of Katia and Furkan shows how business relationships can evolve into fruitful friendships and partnerships, contributing to mutual growth and success.
To learn more about the collaboration between Elka and Çarkçı and to see the full interview with Katia and Furkan, please watch the video on YouTube.
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