Our company’s founders, brothers Sabri and Asım Ülker, begin baking their first petit beurre biscuits a in a small Istanbul shop.

Production is moved to our first factory, significantly increasing production capacity

We launch a new factory, introducing modern production techniques. This leads to an increase in variety of biscuits and improved distribution. We begin distributing into new parts of the country while introducing free delivery.

We begin production in Ankara, moving biscuit production outside of Istanbul for the first time. Anadolu Gıda is established as the first public company in Turkey.

One production line at the Istanbul biscuit factory begins chocolate production.

The popularity of Ülker Chocolate leads to the opening of a dedicated factory in Istanbul. We extend our product range with new varieties of chocolate.

The First Export

We begin exporting to the Middle East, taking the first step toward becoming a global company.

The First R&D Department

The R&D department is created to keep pace with other international food companies.

We begin producing our own flour to ensure the purity of the key ingredient in our biscuits and cakes.

We begin investing in polymer packaging for our products, leading to the eventual formation of our packaging group.

Polinas Plastic Packaging factory was established in Manisa with the partnership of Anadolu Group in order to produce packaging materials that enable hygienic preservation of products for a long time without getting stale.

Topkapı Makine is founded to create the machines required for biscuit and chocolate production within the group.

On November 13, 1989, our companies are consolidated under the name Yıldız Holding.

We establish Besler Gıda, one of the strongest links in our chain of growth, through vertical integration.

We partner with Cerestar Group, the largest starch producer in Europe, and establish the Pendik Nişasta Company. This investment yields a strong foreign partnership, while marking a significant phase in our vertical integration.

Ülkerspor is Founded

We found the Ülkerspor Basketball Sports Club elite team.

Having started its journey in the business world 50 years ago with the production of 200 kg of biscuits, Ülker today, has turned into an organization that owns 19 companies, exports to 35 countries and employs more than 3 thousand people.   

We begin producing the first cake bars and filled cakes in Turkey.

We enter the milk and dairy products industry with the opening of our Ak Gıda factory and the launch of the Ülker İçim brand.

Restructuring of Distribution

We begin phasing out our use of wholesalers by developing a completely new system utilizing distributors and sales representatives.

We take important steps for our growth in Turkey and abroad by acquiring a biscuit factory in Karaman and a chocolate factory in Jeddah.

Founder Sabri Ülker hands over management to the next generation, becoming Honorary Chairman of the group. Six presiding committees and a Board of Directors are established. Murat Ülker becomes CEO of the holding, commencing a new era in company management.

New Products for the Food Industry

We expand into new product categories, including chewing gum, instant soups, and other cooking products. A new line of instant soups, Bizim Mutfak, becomes one of our strongest brands.

We acquire a sizable share of Baycan, the world’s third largest chewing gum producer at that time.

After successfully entering the beverage industry in 2001 with the brand Link, in 2002 we acquire soda brand Çamlıca to reinforce our position in the market. Della Gıda begins beverage production.

We begin producing Cola Turka, with an innovative marketing strategy.

Entering the Ice Cream Market

We introduce Golf brand ice cream. 

Ülker Bisküvi Goes Public

Ülker Bisküvi A.Ş. completed a merger with Anadolu Gıda Sanayi A.Ş. listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (İMKB) and went public, keeping its name. 

We wake up the instant coffee market with our Cafe Crown brand, following the success of our specially-flavoured traditional Turkish coffee one year earlier. Our 3-in-1 instant coffee products are a particular hit.

We become partners with Kellogg's, the world’s largest cereal manufacturer. It is the first time the Kellogg's name has appeared on packaging with another brand.

Changing our sports strategy, we bid farewell to Ülkerspor, who had won 4 Turkish League Championships, 3 Turkish Cup Championships and 6 President's Cups. We team up with Fenerbahçe Ülker basketball team, the beginning of a winning collaboration.

We acquire international premium chocolate brand Godiva, a division of the Campbell Soup Company, marking another milestone in our growth.

Grassroots Project

We initiate the Grassroots Project in cooperation with the Turkish Football Federation.

We invest in Unmas, producer of UNO, Turkey’s first packaged bread, and Doruk Unlu Mamulleri, which runs the bakery chain Komşu Fırın. We acquire the Turkish tea production companies Doğaçay and Obaçay.  We enter the frozen food industry with the acquisition of Kerevitaş, Turkey’s first frozen food brand.

Ülker Children's Cinema Festival

We launch the Ülker Children's Film Festival, named after our flagship brand. Children across Turkey receive films from us, given in honor of National Sovereignty and Children's Day. The festival is now a tradition, taking place every April 23rd.

Ülker celebrates its 65th year. The anniversary’s theme is expressed in its motto "A Happy Moment," which reflects the fond memories people associate with our flagship brand.

Founding of Sabri Ülker Food Research Foundation

We founded the Sabri Ülker Food Research Foundation in order to follow national and international scientific studies, legislation, and practices, and to support projects providing accurate nutrition information to the general public.

Co-operation in the Chewing Gum Sector

We establish the Continental Confectionery Company through an equal partnership agreement with Gumlink, paving the way to make Turkey a European hub for chewing gum and confectionaries.

We sign a partnership agreement with the Eckes-Granini Group, one of the leading juice producers in Europe, founding a new company called Yıldız Granini.

Partnership with McCormick

We sign an equal partnership agreement with global spice company McCormick to create a new Turkish spice company called Yıldız McCormick.

We acquire the Italian company Nuroll. one of the leading packaging companies in Europe. Şok retail chain stores are acquired.

SCA Yıldız Kağıt is Founded

We become partners with Swedish paper company SCA.

Bizim Toptan Goes Public

Cash & carry company Bizim Toptan is listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange.

Our Founder, Sabri Ülker, Passed Away, June 12, 2012.

Pasta production company Nissin Yıldız Gıda San is founded in partnership with Japanese company Nissin Foods. One year later, its first product, Makarneks Instant Noodles, is put on the market.

Aytaç

We acquire Aytaç Et, one of Turkey’s largest meat producers.

Adapazarı Sugar Factory

In 2013, we acquire the Adapazarı Sugar Factory.

As the leading food and beverage company in EMEA, we acquire all stocks of DeMet's Candy Company, a chocolate confectionary manufacturer with strong distribution channels in the United States.

United Biscuits Joins Our Family

Yıldız Holding becomes the third largest biscuit manufacturer in the world through the acquisition of British food giant United Biscuits. It is the largest international acquisition by a Turkish company.

We have combined our iconic brands Godiva, United Biscuits and Ülker under the pladis roof and have continued our global journey with sure steps.

Şok Marketler A.Ş has realized one of the biggest public offerings of the last 10 years and started trading on Stock Exchange Istanbul with the code of SOKM on 18 May 2018.

Yıldız Holding won the first place in the “Best Employer Brand” category in the LinkedIn Talent Awards 2019, where the employer brand performance of companies with 500 or more employees on LinkedIn was evaluated. 

As a result of a change of position in senior management of Yıldız Holding, Murat Ülker handed over the chairmanship of Yıldız Holding, which he had held for 20 years to Ali Ülker. 

As per the five-year agreement signed with the Turkish Football Federation, Ülker will be the official sponsor of Men’s National Football Teams and the main sponsor of both Women’s National Football Teams and eNational Teams until 2026.  

Yıldız Holding is Among “Most Favorite Companies” 

Yıldız Holding ranked second in the ‘holdings’ category this year, as it did last year, according to the results of “Most Favorite Companies” survey conducted with the participation of thousands of young people.  

Yıldız Holding Women’s Platform Has Been Established

Taking a significant step towards reinforcing the culture of equal opportunity in all its companies, Yıldız Holding has established Yıldız Holding Women’s Platform.

Penta Completed its IPO Process

Having been distributing information technology products including computers, software, printing solutions, servers, data storage and network products for more than 30 years, Penta Teknoloji’s initial public offering has been approved by the Capital Markets Board (SPK).

Yıldız Tech has been established to support the software development journeys of our digital applications within our group and to produce innovative solutions.

Kerevitaş and Besler Merged Under One Roof as ‘Kerevitaş’

In order to achieve lean operations, Kerevitaş, which owns 100% shares of Besler, merged with the subject company under the roof of Kerevitaş.