History of the BEKO
BEKO – is the worldwide known and popular trademark. The Archelik Company of Turkey produces its products under this trademark. Archelik was established in 1955 and today is one of the members of the Koch Holding. The Company was founded by the Turkish engineer Vehbi Koch. Koch started his business with the sale of the construction materials. After working in family company named Kochzade Ahmet Vehbi Trading Company for 20 years, he decided to expand his business. In 1944, for the first time in Turkey, he opened a company dealing with the sale of the cars-vehicles. After 10 years, with Bejerano he registered the BEKO brand. Under this brand, two companies were planning to produce conserves and tomato juice. Name of the trademark comes from the first two letters of the founders. But they encountered several problems relating to the establishment of the new company. It was impossible to start the production of conserves. BEKO factory started to operate under new name - Beko Trade A.S. Archelik Company contracted with General Electric and began to produce fabric electricity lamps. The first factory in Turkey to produce lamps was BEKO Trade A.S.
Vehbi Koch was not satisfied with the achievements and directed the production of the company to new direction. In 1959, Archelik produced its first washing machine. First fridge of the company was produced in 1960. After some time, Koch provided the production of other home appliances. Finally, in 1977 this type of production was massive. The products were produced under name BEKO Brand and were popular among the buyers in 1983.
Heads of the Archelik Company were considering that every factory must specialize in any type of product. Hence, since 1977, construction of several factories was started.
After some time, Archelik together with “Turk Demir Dokum”, a Turkish company established a company named Ardem which was considered to deal with the production of heaters and kitchen stoves. In 1979, a factory producing vacuum cleaners started its operations in Izmir city. Product expanding of Archelik Company continued till 1996. During this time, two additional factories- factories producing washing machine and conditioner were constructed.
Vehbi Koch, who always did his best to expand the type and quality of the products, never ignored the thoughts and needs of the buyers. Koch also provided home delivery of the products in order to provide maximum comfort for the buyers.
In 1990, Archelik began to export its products to European countries. BEKO brand was chosen for the sale of the appliances in the world market. BEKO trademark was previously created for world popularity and for an access tot the world market.
In 1999 and in 2000, sweeping changes took place inside Archelik Company. Ardem and Arcelik companies merged. Reforms were executed in Koch Holding Durable Consumer Goods Concern. And as a result, BEKO disjoining the Beko Trade A.S. joins Archelik A.S. Company.
In January, 2006 an international competition named “Brand of 2005” was held in Belarus. 59 trademarks evaluated under 33 categories took part in the competition. According to the results of the competition, BEKO brand was rewarded with gold medal and washing machine was elected as the “brand of the year”.
Besides Archelik, Koch Group Corporation includes 157 companies with about 62 000 employees. Corporation deals with finance, tourism, construction and power engineering.
Today BEKO is a leading brand in the world market. Archelik Company offers a wide range and type of home appliances to the buyers and consumers, 80% of the products exported by the Archelik Corporation, belong to the BEKO brand. Under the management of the company, there are 9 factories producing 6 million electro-appliances annually. Products of the company are always developed, improved and respond the international standards. BEKO technology differs with its superior quality and eases the daily life with its functionality and practicality.
