ENGLISH SUMMARY
Headlines from Zorlu Magazine
#88
ZORLU ENERGY
Zorlu Energy appoints Elif Yener as new CEO
Elif Yener is appointed as CEO of Zorlu Enerji as of January 1, 2025. Having managed various executive positions within Zorlu Group since 2011, Yener succeeded İbrahim Sinan Ak, who has held important positions within Zorlu Group for nearly 25 years, including the last 8 years as CEO of Zorlu Enerji. Zorlu Holding CEO Cem Köksal made a statement on this appointment and thanked İbrahim Sinan Ak for making significant contributions to the major transformation of Zorlu Enerji, where he served as CEO for 8 years. Köksal also stated that Elif Yener's appointment to this position is a reflection of the Group's diversity and inclusion approach and its commitment to promoting gender equality, as Elif Yener becomes the first female CEO of Zorlu Enerji, in addition to her long-standing strong leadership and Zorlu Group's strategic business goals.
Elif Yener, who joined Zorlu Holding in 2011 after getting an MBA degree from Columbia University in the USA, has served as Financial Affairs Group Manager, Financial Affairs Director and Financial Affairs General Manager in the Energy Group since 2014. Yener is a member of the Integrated Reporting Turkey Network (ERTA) and a signatory of the CFO Principles for Integrated SDG Investments and Finance published by the CFO Coalition under the UN Global Compact.
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VESTEL
Science Based Targets initiative approves Vestel's carbon emission reduction targets
Carbon emission reduction targets committed by Vestel until 2030 are approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a global authority. SBTi, developing standards, tools and guidelines enabling nearly three thousand companies and financial institutions around the world to determine their greenhouse gas emissions in the fight against the climate crisis, approved the Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emission reduction targets of Vestel Elektronik and Vestel Beyaz Eşya.
Vestel once more emphasized its sustainability commitments in line with international standards and its commitment to environmental responsibility with the approval of SBTi. Vestel Elektronik and Vestel Beyaz Eşya have committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent in Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2030 based on 2021, and to reduce emissions from the use of products sold by 25 percent in Scope 3 over the same period.
ZORLU HOLDING
How far? x Podkids podcast series now complete
The “Until Where? x Podkids” series, launched as part of Zorlu Holding's Smart Life 2030 sustainability vision and aimed to draw inspiration from children's curiosities about sustainability, is now complete. This podcast was produced in collaboration with Podkids to draw attention to the importance of discussing the concept of sustainability with children and raising awareness at an early age. The focus was on today's critical issues: climate crisis, inequalities, volunteerism, efficient use of resources, the right to life of species and sustainability. Moderated by 9-year-old Mercan Deniz Özkan, the series features Roots and Shoots Co-Founder Aslıhan Niksarlı; Gender and Equality Expert Ebru Nihan Celkan; Açık Açık Founding Member Prof. Dr. Itır Erhart; Ecological Life Activist Nil Ormanlı and Zorlu Holding CEO Cem Köksal as guests. Full episodes of the series are available on the Smart Life 2030 Spotify channel.
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VESTEL
A strategic investment by Vestel Mobilite in the UK for smart charging solutions
Vestel Mobilite, being one of the leading companies in the mobility sector, attended the London Electric Vehicle Show 2024 held in London, the capital of England, between November 26-28, 2024. Constantly creating a difference in the sector with its innovative products as well as its strategic partnerships, Vestel Mobilite was the center of attention at the London Electric Vehicle Show. At the show, Vestel Mobilite announced joining among investors of Electric Miles, a UK-based EVC and energy management software company. With an eye on strengthening its presence in the mobility ecosystem both in the UK and across Europe, Vestel aims to offer more comprehensive services to end-users and create a significant synergy in the UK market in the EV Energy Management System with this partnership.
Commenting on this, Arun Anand, Founder and CEO of Electric Miles, said “This partnership will allow us offer innovative and efficient solutions benefiting both consumers and the environment. Combining our software expertise with Vestel Mobilite's hardware capabilities, we are confident of unlocking new opportunities in the energy sector.”
ZORLU ENERGY
Zorlu Enerji in top 4 in the global arena with success in ESG
Committed for a better future in line with its Smart Life 2030 strategy, Zorlu Enerji keeps achieving significant success with its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities focused on creating sustainable solutions to core issues of the world. Zorlu Enerji, which aspires to develop a future business model based on impact-oriented growth within the framework of sustainability, scored 88 points in the ESG assessment conducted by LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group), one of the largest ESG data platforms in the sector on a global scale. This score earned Zorlu Enerji an A score and the company ranked 4th among 329 companies. Hence, Zorlu Enerji made significant progress in this rating, having scored 77 points last year. Thanks to this success, the company maintained its position in the Istanbul Stock Exchange Sustainability 25 Index and sustains its strong performance in sustainability.
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VESTEL
Vestel Mobilite attends EV Charge Show with ultra-fast charging technologies
Vestel Mobilite, a new company of Vestel founded to become a strategic player in the global mobility market, shared its electric vehicle charging stations with the industry at the EV Charge Show, an international e-mobility fair held in Istanbul. Emphasizing their long-standing investments in the mobility, a market they expect exponential growth in future, the company stated that Vestel has brought its deep know-how in consumer electronics and strong competencies in software, hardware and design to the mobility sector.
Vestel Mobilite noted that more than 250,000 charging sockets have so far been installed in nearly 30 countries in Turkey and Europe with the electric charging stations of Vestel. With a wide range of products of different power options, the company responds to needs in many fields and offers a strong infrastructure for future technologies. Providing pre-sales and after-sales service to Turkey's 81 provinces thanks to its extensive sales and service network, the company also has a extensive service reach abroad with AC/DC type EVCs produced in compliance with the regulations of Europe's leading countries.
Vestel Mobilite also offers innovative solutions in battery technologies, which play an important role in the energy transition process, facilitating access to safe and reliable energy. Vestel offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative with its energy storage systems for telecom, residential, commercial and industrial sectors, as well as solar and wind power plants.
ZORLU ENERGY
Zorlu Enerji publishes CDP 2024 Report
Zorlu Enerji, continuing to work transparently towards its sustainability commitments in the energy sector, publishes the CDP 2024 Report, sharing the goals for a sustainable future, the steps taken to this end and the performance exhibited. Sharing the steps it has taken for a sustainable future with the public, the company unveiled its performance in carbon emissions and environmental impacts. Attracting attention with the steps taken and projects implemented in sustainability, Zorlu Enerji aims to convey its sustainability approach in detail to both internal and external stakeholders with this years CDP report. By transparently presenting the company's environmental performance and future plans with the report, it aims to demonstrate exemplary leadership in its sector.
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VESTEL
Vestel Mobilite introduces products and technologies at EASE General Assembly
Vestel Mobilite, first Turkish member of the European Energy Storage Association (EASE), which works for the development of Europe's energy storage sector, attended the 20th General Assembly of the association. Vestel Mobilite, on a mission to shape the future of sustainable transportation with its expertise in electric vehicle chargers, automotive electronics and battery energy storage solutions, made a presentation at the General Assembly, informing the Association members on Vestel's activities in the field of mobility for more than 10 years, the pioneering role the company has assumed in the sector and its current products and technologies.
META NICKEL
Meta Nickel Search and Rescue Team ready for duty!
Disaster, Emergency and Business Continuity Management (BCM) preparations continue at Zorlu Group. As “ZORLU Search and Rescue” teams continue to be formed in different group companies and in different locations for being ready against possible disasters, ensuring business continuity in crisis and disaster situations and managing risks, the 31-member Meta Nickel Search and Rescue Team received their certificates after completing theoretical and practical trainings. Foundation for the team was laid with the formation of a team of 14 company employees who volunteered to support search and rescue activities in the region after the devastating earthquake that hit Kahramanmaraş in 2023.
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ZORLU HOLDING
Teachers meet at the “Creative Self-Confidence Festival”
The Teachers' Network, a network of teachers coming together with people and institutions from different disciplines in addition to their colleagues, celebrated November 24th Teachers' Day with the “Creative Self-Confidence Festival” organized in partnership with Mehmet Zorlu Foundation to highlight that teaching is one of the most creative professions in the world. The fourth edition of the festival was organized this year with the theme #WhereIsCreativityInThis?. It was attended by artists and experts from different disciplines, particularly teachers, who are interested in education and believe in the importance of creativity for a better future. The festival, held at Zorlu PSM in cooperation with more than 20 non-governmental organizations, attracted approximately 450 people.
ZORLUTEKS
Financial support from Zorluteks to students and stray animals in need with the New Year's Eve Bazaar project
For a more just, egalitarian and livable world, Zorluteks continues social responsibility projects benefiting the society. Zorluteks held the third installment of the “Zorluteks New Year's Eve Bazaar”, one of the social responsibility projects implemented as part of the company's Smart Life 2030 sustainability strategy. This year, the focus of the project was on “reducing inequalities” and “sustainable cities and communities”, two of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the revenue from sample products, available only for the purchase of company employees, was donated to the Association for the Protection of Animals from Helplessness and Indifference (HAÇİKO) and the Emergency Needs Project Foundation (AİP).
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ZORLU HOLDING
You don't stand alone against violence!
Zorlu Holding, refusing tolerance to all forms of violence and supporting co-workers in this regard, released a special film to raise awareness against violence in honor of the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25th. In line with its An Equal Life (Eşit Bi'Hayat) gender equality approach, Zorlu Holding continues to work for a more equal, fair and better future devoid of all forms of violence. Zorlu Holding also attaches importance to reinforcing a corporate culture where co-workers exposed to violence can express themselves with confidence and offers the necessary support mechanisms in this direction.
ZORLU ENERGY
“Energy Sector Digital Transformation of the Year Award” to Zorlu Enerji
Leading representatives of the business world and technology leaders came together at SAP Turkey's SAP Executive Summit event. Awarding the most innovative and successful technology transformation projects in the field, SAP Transformation Awards 2024 met their winners at the event. Zorlu Enerji received the “Energy Sector Digital Transformation of the Year Award”. This prestigious award honors the Shine S/4HANA RISE project, marking an important step towards the future by equipping Zorlu Enerji's business processes with the competencies of the digital age.
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VESTEL
“Best Integrated Working Capital Project” award for Vestel
Vestel won the “Best Integrated Working Capital Project” award at The Working Capital Forum, Europe's leading working capital event, for its supply chain program with Faturalab. This award honors Vestel's innovative solutions in working capital and supply chain management, along with its successful strategies to increase operational efficiency. On November 4, Vestel CFO Bülent Kiracıoğlu received the award at a ceremony held in Amsterdam and said this project increased working capital efficiency while providing transparency and speed in their supply chain. This award once again demonstrates Vestel's determination to achieve its digitalization and sustainable growth targets, he added.
ZORLU ENERGY
Zorlu Enerji listed among Turkey's Top 50 Most Innovative Companies
Zorlu Enerji ranks 22nd in Fast Company's “Top 50 Most Innovative Companies” survey with “GECO” project, aimed at zeroing carbon emissions in geothermal energy. Targeting zero carbon emissions in geothermal energy, the GECO project involves pumping some of the gases released in the extraction of geothermal fluid, an important renewable energy source, back into the reservoir. This prevents the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere while reducing investment costs and increasing efficiency. A first of its kind in Turkey, the GECO project is considered to be an important model in the sector for the green transformation essential for Net Zero targets.
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VESTEL
Now Sharp technologies take center stage!
Manufactured by Vestel and introduced to the European market, Sharp washing machines and tumble dryers have once again proved their quality and the trust of European consumers with the high ratings in the evaluations of the German “Haus&Garten” and British “Which?” magazines. Manufactured and sold by Vestel in Europe, Sharp's 1400 cycle washing machine received a score of 1.3 in the evaluation by Germany's most prestigious magazine “Haus&Garten” and was awarded the “Sehr Gut” (Very Good) rating. Sharp's A++++ heat pump tumble dryer, a perfect choice for both households and our world with its efficient drying performance, cost-effectiveness and environmentally friendly advantages, earned “Best Buy”, “Eco Buy” and “Great Value” titles by scoring 74 points in the evaluation made by the British “Which?” magazine.
ZORLU PSM
Social Benefit Award for “My First Theater, My First Concert” project
Zorlu PSM's “My First Theater, My First Concert” project, intended to introduce art to adults, young people and children living in disadvantaged parts of Istanbul and never attended a concert or theater in their lives, won the “Value Adding Projects - Culture and Arts” category of the Social Benefit Awards. Zorlu PSM hosted nearly 5,000 people free of charge during the three years of the project. Carried out in partnership with expert non-governmental organizations such as SosyalBen Foundation and Turkish Education Foundation (TEV), the scope of the project included organizations such as MZV-YETGEN, Askıda Ne Var, as well as schools in various districts of Istanbul in 2024. This gave thousands of children and young people with limited access to arts the chance to enjoy this experience.
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ZORLU ENERGY
OEDAŞ's volunteer efforts crowned with an award
Osmangazi Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş. (OEDAŞ), the electricity distribution service provider of Afyonkarahisar, Bilecik, Eskişehir, Kütahya and Uşak, was deemed worthy of an award with “Can Dostlar” social responsibility project at the 17th Heartfelt Awards (Gönülden Ödüller) held by the Private Sector Volunteers Association (Özel Sektör Gönüllüleri Derneği). “This project, launched with the suggestion of or field employees and developed entirely on the voluntary basis, has been embraced and expanded both within our company and by local administrations, NGOs and the local community in a short period of time. In turn, this award has revealed once again how great an impact the spirit of volunteerism can have,” said OEDAŞ Director Muzaffer Yalçın. Meanwhile, this award marks the fifth award OEDAŞ has been honored with in 2024, including international awards for four different projects.
ZORLU PSM
MIX Festival presented by 100% Müzik wrapped up with a very loud and fun marathon!
The 8th “MIX Festival presented by 100% Music”, organized by Zorlu PSM on November 2-3 this year with its “Festival of many voices” motto, brought together the most popular names of electronic, indie, rap and dance music in an unforgettable experience. The two-day festival, which turned into a marathon of multi-voiced music, welcomed more than 5 thousand music lovers. World-renowned artists carried their rhythms to every corner of the festival during the two-day music marathon, and the live performances on different stages drew the audience into the magical atmosphere of music. Bringing together different styles, the festival showcased the universal power of music once again.
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