Kozikoğlu Rulman has been a BearingNet member since 2009. We learn about the company’s history and culture, leading to its successful international reach of today.
The commercial story of the Kozikoğlu family begins in the early 1800s, in Eğin (today’s Kemaliye), one of the ancient towns of Eastern Anatolia. The family’s founder, İsmail Kozikoğlu, laid the foundations of an entrepreneurial culture that would be passed down to later generations through livestock trading and regional commerce.
Ottoman era: The rise of a merchant family
Following İsmail Kozikoğlu, Ahmet Kozikoğlu expanded the family business and became a significant figure in the region’s meat supply and trade. At the time, Eğin was an important commercial hub along the Silk Road and held a special place within the Ottoman Empire’s dynamic trade network.
With the encouragement of Sultan Yavuz Selim, the Kozikoğlu family, like several notable merchant families in Anatolia, became part of the supply chain extending toward Istanbul. Through strong commercial vision, the family reached an important milestone in the 1850s: Ahmet Kozikoğlu’s son, Şakir Kozikoğlu, was appointed Chief Supplier of Meat (Et Kethüdası) to the Ottoman Palace.
This key position allowed the family to build strong relations both in Ankara and Istanbul.
For his honesty and excellence in commerce, Hacı Şakir Kozikoğlu was honoured with the Nişan-ı İftihar, one of the highest state decorations of the era. This prestigious medal was not merely personal recognition; it officially acknowledged the integrity and reliability of the Kozikoğlu family in trade.
Transition to the Industrial Age: A new era in Ankara and Istanbul
In the early 1900s, the family moved from Eğin to Ankara and later to Istanbul, expanding their commercial activities. In this new period, the third and fourth generations, Hacı Mustafa Kozikoğlu and his son Nuri Kozikoğlu, played important roles during Turkey’s economic transformation.
The family entered the flour milling and agricultural machinery sectors, leading the establishment of Ankara Değirmencilik Un Sanayi T.A.Ş., one of the first modern flour factories of the Republic. They also became major shareholders and board members of İttihat Değirmencilik T.A.Ş.
Nuri Kozikoğlu: One of the pioneers of turkish industry
Residing in Istanbul’s Bebek district, Nuri Kozikoğlu expanded the family’s commercial network through investments across various sectors. He also:
• Served three terms as President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), twice consecutively
• Became one of the founders of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO)
• Made major contributions to the construction of Şişli Mosque, one of the first modern mosques of the Republic Era
His leadership and vision shaped both the family business and Turkey’s economic modernisation.
A new chapter in the bearing industry: The birth of Kozikoğlu Rulman
The fourth-generation representative, Nejat Kozikoğlu, took the family’s commercial ventures to a new dimension in the 1940s. Alongside flour mills and machinery parts, he entered the bearing trade, laying the foundation for what would become one of Turkey’s most established bearing companies.
Thanks to his vision, the firm became the General Authorised Distributor in Turkey for several German, American, and Austrian brands, and played a significant role in Turkey’s industrialisation process.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Nejat Kozikoğlu also served actively at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry.
In addition to his business pursuits, he placed great importance on education and earned dual degrees in Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering from Boğaziçi University.
Global expansion: The era of Mert Kozikoğlu
After Nejat Kozikoğlu, the sixth-generation representative Mert Kozikoğlu assumed leadership. Having completed his education in the United States, he guided the company toward global expansion. During this period:
• The company participated in exhibitions and industrial events in Germany, Japan, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, France, Lithuania, the UK, and the USA, increasing its international visibility by trading with over 45 countries
• Beyond its existing portfolio, the company expanded further by signing six new brand partnerships
• Began its BearingNet membership in 2009
“We have been a proud BearingNet member since 2009. Over the years, BearingNet has played a significant role in helping us build strong international relationships and expand our global footprint. The platform opened doors to markets far beyond our initial reach and has consistently supported our growth as an internationally recognised company.
“BearingNet has been an invaluable network for us, and we are grateful to be part of such a professional and trusted community.”
N. Mert Kozikoğlu
With these developments, Kozikoğlu Rulman evolved from being merely a distributor into a reliable international solutions partner.
Kozikoğlu Rulman today: Deep roots, strong future
Today, Kozikoğlu Rulman stands as the oldest and most established bearing company in Turkey. Serving more than 25 industries, the company provides its customers with:
• A broad and diversified product range
• Technical engineering support
• Strong stock capacity and rapid supply chain
• Global business partnerships
• Authorised distributorships
• Own brand IQ-industrial quality
Maintaining its family-owned company culture, Kozikoğlu Rulman continues its investments in R&D, innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability under the leadership of Cem Kozikoğlu, the seventh-generation member of the family.
Conclusion: The industrial journey of a family and a nation
The story of the Kozikoğlu family is a multi-generational success narrative shaped by entrepreneurship, innovation, trust, sustainability, and strong family values, parallel to Turkey’s own industrial transformation.
Today, with nearly a century of commercial heritage, robust infrastructure, and forward-looking vision, Kozikoğlu Rulman continues its journey with determination as one of Turkey’s and the world’s leading bearing suppliers.
Kozikoğlu Rulman is a proud member of Official Association of Century-Old Brands (Yüzyıllık Markalar Derneği).
Source: Best Bits
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