Mursel OZTURK tells about Board Member of the Group Companies and Bursa Cimento Factory Burhan EVCIL, who passed away on Friday, January 25.
Cement production is a troublesome process with all its processes from raw material to production all over the world and in our country. In the past, it was even more difficult. While working at Corum Cimento, Mr. Burhan carried out both the conventional “Wet System” production and managed the establishment and operation periods of the “Dry System” production line with his wife Ms. Fermude. Moreover, he was using lignite coals, being very risky to prepare as fuel…
I met with Mr. Burhan while he was working in CITOSAN General Directorate in Ankara. At that time I was working at the Trabzon Plant of the same organization. Shortly after his appointment to Trabzon as Factory Manager, we worked together for 3 months in 1978. After working in different facilities of the same organization for 2 years, we started working together, me as the Technical Manager again at his invitation at the Bursa Cement Plant where he worked as General Manager at the beginning of September 1980. Our work relation lasted for 35 years non-stop. I think it is unusual to see people working together that long. In the last 12 years of this period, I worked as General Manager and Mr. Burhan as Board Member and General Coordinator.
In March 1980, when Mr. Burhan took office, Bursa Cimento had a clinker production line (2 lines) with a total of 480,000 tons / year of which 230,000 tons / year + 250,000 tons / year. There was also a limited liability company for marketing.
Today, Bursa Cimento Group comprised of the firms Bursa Cimento, Cemtas, Bursa Beton, Roda, Cimento Insaat, Cimento Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Ares, and Aggregate companies. According to 2017 figures, Bursa Cement Group is the 59th largest company in Anatolia with a turnover of 922 Million TL. It has a clinker capacity of 1,400,000 tons/year and a grinding capacity of 2,850,000 tons/year.
In these developments, the main decisions were always taken in Bursa Cement Board of Directors and the Chairman and Mr. Burhan were authorized for the execution. Thanks to acquiring of more than 90% of the shares of Cemtas and increasing the capacity of the factory from 50,000 tons/year Quality Liquid Steel to 193,000 tons/ year, the establishment of the Balance Bar Production Plant and the improvements in the quality; CEMTAS is now able to export half of its production to large companies of the world. In the details of each stage of these developments, Mr. Burhan has made great contributions. Bursa Cimento currently owns 57% of the company’s capital.
Another development was carried out for RODA. From a prepared EIA Report and a coastal land of 35.000 m2, it has become a company that has achieved its goals today, provided foreign currency to its country, and plays an important role in export and import business.
In the early 70s, when Cemtas was put into operation, the company took a place in the Gemlik Bay in the area called Kocacukur to build ports and to dismantle ships there, but after a while it sold due to the reasons like capital. But the partners who had founded the company had already established Bursa Cimento and had not excluded the port investment from their agenda. When the issue of RODA appeared, the establishment of the partnership, the construction of the port, the formation of the staff, the construction of the facilities and the establishment of a fully institutional structure were carried out by Mr. Burhan. The partnership established with the DORA partnership group of Ankara at a rate of 50% and it has a special status. The partnership still maintains this status. Mr. Burhan started working with a few people in the beginning and today has become a preferred company with its larger area, modern warehouse and port equipment.
As for the Concrete Company, in 1986 a 50,000 m3/year plant was commissioned and reached a capacity of approximately 3 million m3/year and 16 facilities. The company is one of Turkey’s first 5 Ready-mixed concrete companies. We spent a lot of time working with Mr. Burhan in the formation and development of this company.
In all works carried out with other affiliated companies, he spent its life in service to the group within the framework of the decisions and authorities of Bursa Cimento Board of Directors. He pursued a work-oriented life, even not benefiting from a decent annual lea ve.
Additionally, he held the positions of Executive Board and Supervisory Board members in the top organizations of Cement Sector such as Turkey
Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMB) and Cement Industry Employers Union (CEIS); he shared his experience and knowledge with the ni dustry.
Mr. EVCIL was an administrator with principles, never compromising from them. He took the authority from the Board of Directors, and carried it out with us in full compliance with the legislation. He always respected the employees’ opinions, negotiated with them, and partially transferred his authorizations to them. Confidence was one of the most important issues for both the Board of Directors and for him.
When I look back, I see that all the decisions taken and almost all the investments made are almost perfect thanks to the management understanding by Board of Directors and Mr. Burhan that gives importance to the principals, trust, knowledge and experience.
I have too many memories with Mr. Burhan in this time period of 35 years. It will be very difficult to choose one. To give an example, an investment negotiation with SIEMENS in Bursa; it started early in the day and lasted until midnight. “Let’s not stop negotiations, let’s continue” he said. We finished the contract in very early morning and we undersigned it. This contract was completed without any inconvenience during its execution.
May God Rest Him in Peace. Condolences to Bursa Cimento family and Cement Industry. May my elderly rest in peace. Let your soul be in heaven.
Burhan Evcil’s Resume
Burhan Evcil was born in Alaca, Corum. He was graduated from A.U. Faculty of Science with the title of Chemistry Engineer. From September 1965 to March 1966, he worked as the Head of R&D Department at the Ministry of National Defense, he performed his military duty from April 1966 to March 1968. He worked as Engineer, Operations Supervisor, Chief Engineer and Factory Manager in Turkiye Cimento Sanayi T.A.Ş.
(Turkish Cement Industry) from April 1968 to March 1980 and resigned in March 1980. He worked as the General Manager of Bursa Cimento Fabrikası A.S. (Bursa Cement Factory) from March 1980 to 2004. He had been the General Coordinator of Bursa Cimento Fabrikası A.S. since 2004. He was married with two children.
