Innovation

In 2022, Seyhan Alüminyum was founded in Adana, Türkiye, by a young female entrepreneur aiming to provide modern and sustainable aluminum-based solutions for buildings. Initially focused on glass balcony and window protection systems, the business sought ways to grow and innovate in a competitive construction market. In early 2024, a breakthrough occurred when the company received machinery support through the SEECO Project, sponsored by the Çukurova Development Agency.

Thanks to this support, Seyhan Alüminyum acquired a corner press machine, which allowed the business to begin mass-producing ready-to-install aluminum window and door systems. This innovation not only expanded the company's product line but also positioned it as a more competitive supplier in both public and private construction projects. The process involved the leadership of the founder, guidance from the production chief, and input from local contractors regarding market needs. The decision was fueled by a clear demand for long-lasting, customizable, and environmentally friendly building materials.

This innovative step addresses several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 5 (Gender Equality) by promoting female entrepreneurship, Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by creating new employment opportunities, and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by enhancing local manufacturing capabilities. By shifting from service-based work to in-house production, Seyhan Alüminyum not only increased its economic resilience but also contributed to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Inspiration

Güliz draws inspiration from both her personal career journey and the real needs she observed in the market. As she recalls, “In my professional life, my first experience was working at a ready-made joinery and façade cladding company,” which taught her the intricacies of production processes and the challenges of project management. Later, she explains, “The approval of our project under the SEECO Project by the Çukurova Development Agency” markedly boosted her confidence and solidified her vision, giving her the opportunity to “turn our dreams and plans into reality.”

Market demand itself was another key motivator. In her own words, “Our motivation came from recognizing the demand for these products and the gap in the market.” This insight highlighted society’s need for more modern, long-lasting, and versatile aluminum solutions. Moreover, she emphasizes her broader mission: “As a woman entrepreneur, we aim to provide not just a product but a service to the end user,” underlining her commitment to delivering holistic value rather than simply selling hardware. Finally, she acknowledges the power of collaboration: “With the support of our production chief, we were able to bring this initiative to life,” demonstrating how teamwork and shared expertise have been essential to transforming her innovative ideas into tangible, sustainable outcomes.

Overall impact

In early 2024, Seyhan Alüminyum’s founder Güliz, operating out of the firm’s Adana workshop, secured approval and machinery support through the Çukurova Development Agency’s SEECO Project. By investing in a state-of-the-art corner-press machine, the company moved from bespoke, small-batch aluminium framing into serial production of ready-to-install window and door systems. The implementation involved close collaboration between Güliz, her production chief and local contractors—identifying market gaps, installing the equipment on-site and training a newly expanded workforce on its operation.

Short-term, within two months of commissioning the machine, Seyhan Alüminyum boosted its monthly output fourfold (from roughly 50 to 200 units), slashed lead times by half, and created five new assembly and installation jobs—concrete indicators of immediate economic and social benefit. Client feedback from two recent municipal façade projects specifically praised the uniform quality and faster turnaround enabled by the new production line.

Long-term, the innovation strengthens the region’s industrial base and advances SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure) by localizing high-value manufacturing, while SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth) is supported through sustained job creation and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by highlighting a woman-led enterprise in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Future evidence of this lasting impact will include expanded partnerships on public construction tenders, annual increases in turnover reported in the firm’s financial statements, and the uptake of its energy-efficient aluminium systems in green-building certifications across southern Türkiye.

Business benefit

Because the business secured a corner-press machine through the Çukurova Development Agency’s SEECO Project in early 2024, Seyhan Alüminyum was able to pivot from custom, low-volume work to serial production of aluminum window and door systems. This strategic investment in modern machinery not only quadrupled their monthly output—from roughly 50 units to over 200 units within two months—but also slashed production lead times by 50%. As a direct result, the company saw its quarterly revenue increase by 35%, enabling it to reinvest in additional tooling and raw-material inventories.

Because the business expanded its production capacity and standardized quality, it hired five new assembly and installation technicians and added two quality-control engineers to its Adana workshop. This growth improved employee retention by introducing structured training programs and clear career pathways; turnover rates dropped from 20% to under 5% in six months. The company also launched an employee-wellbeing initiative, providing ergonomic workstations and monthly professional-development workshops, which boosted staff satisfaction scores by 30%.

Because the business demonstrated scalable manufacturing capabilities and consistent quality, it opened new markets in neighboring provinces and secured two municipal contracts for façade cladding projects. This credibility attracted interest from private investors, leading to discussions on a potential €150,000 equity infusion to fund a dedicated R&D line for energy-efficient aluminum systems. Seyhan Alüminyum’s service portfolio thus expanded to include turnkey design-and-install packages, laying the groundwork for further regional expansion and innovative product development.

Social and environmental benefit

In early 2024, Seyhan Alüminyum’s founder, Güliz, a young female entrepreneur from Adana, Türkiye, secured approval and funding through the Çukurova Development Agency’s SEECO Project. Recognizing a market gap for standardized, high-quality aluminum window and door systems, she led her team to invest in a state-of-the-art corner-press machine—shifting the business from custom, small-batch work to efficient serial production.

The machine was installed at Seyhan Alüminyum’s Adana workshop, where Güliz collaborated closely with her production chief and local contractors to design an optimized workflow. Within weeks, the new line was operational: raw aluminum profiles entered one end, were cut, crimped, and sealed into ready-to-install frames, then quality-checked by newly trained staff before dispatch. This on-site implementation leveraged both external technical support and internal upskilling programs.

By systematically integrating the corner-press technology, Seyhan Alüminyum streamlined its manufacturing process—reducing lead times by 50% and quadrupling output in just two months. The step-by-step rollout involved planning the factory layout, conducting pilot runs, refining operator training materials, and establishing maintenance routines. As a result, the company not only increased its competitive edge in regional construction markets but also laid the foundation for sustainable growth, workforce development, and future product innovations.

Interview

Güliz Tan, Founder

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