MOTIVE POWER Inci Aku is a well established brand leader in the manufacture of batteries for the automotive industry and is now expanding into new market sectors. Philip Yorke reports on a Turkish company that has its sights firmly set on becoming one of the top ten battery manufacturers in the world.
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nci Aku was founded in Turkey by Cedvet Inci in 1984 and with its special commitment to technological development and customer service, the company has seen continuous growth. Highlights include a joint venture with CEAC of France in 1993, the opening of a major new plant in the Ukraine in 1998, obtaining a Ford Q1 certificate in 2006 and becoming an ‘A’ class supplier for Volvo Exports in 2009. 46 Industry Europe
Today the company remains a private, family-owned business and is active on three continents. It is also the original equipment supplier to many domestic and international automotive manufacturers. Inci Aku belongs to the Inci Group which comprises 16 autonomous companies in Turkey and employs approximately 2,000 people. It exports its batteries to some 70 countries across the world.
New capabilities Inci Aku began by manufacturing automotive parts including wheels and accessories, before moving into the manufacture of batteries in 1993. The company was established at Manisa, in Turkey, where it currently operates two battery plants. The No1 plant focuses on starter battery production and has a capacity of 4.5m batteries per year. Three years ago the company began the construction of a
