The foundations of the modern Erikoğlu Group of the 2000s were laid by our industrial doyen Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu, who started his business life in 1937 by forging in the Denizli Kaleiçi Coppersmiths' Bazaar. In those years, Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu used only a hammer and a few tools, without using technology, to make cauldrons, pots, trays, and all the kitchenware that needed to be found in a house, with his wrist power. Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu, who used mathematics very well, stood out from other coppersmiths in a short time and expanded his business, switching from forging to cupola making, which was a very important innovation at the time (producing copperware on a mold).
In a short time, he started selling goods to the entire Aegean region. In 1959, a copper electrolysis facility (Elektrobakır) was established in Istanbul. Sheet copper (cathode) was produced in this facility, brought to Denizli and was poured here. In the 1970s, mass production began. At that time, copper wire, which was mostly made by non-Muslims, was first produced in Denizli with the initiative of Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu. The copper wires produced were sold especially to the Istanbul market. Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu, who combined local labor and education very well with a rational approach together with his partner Mehmet Ergür, took his place in the sector with the value he gave to his employees.
Copper wire sold to Istanbul was being turned into cables by various manufacturers and sold to the Aegean Region. Thereupon, it was decided to produce cables in Denizli and Ergür Kablo was established. While copper wire production continued, Ergür Kablo also began to grow on its own scale and in the 80s, it became one of the top 5 manufacturers in its sector in Turkey. In the 1980s, Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu's biggest dream was to establish an integrated copper wire facility. With these thoughts, the foundations of Er-Bakır were laid in 1981 and a partnership was established with his son-in-law Cafer Sadık Abalıoğlu in 1985. Currently, Er-Bakır has become the largest capitalized establishment in Denizli and the leader of Turkey in its sector.
The entrepreneurial and institutional spirit of the Erikoğlu Group has also been reflected in other sectors. The Group has also entered the sectors of enameled copper wire, textile, petroleum, electrical materials, energy, health and technology. Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu, who is known for his philanthropy as well as his industrialism, has pioneered the establishment of various educational institutions in Denizli due to the value he places on education. Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu Primary School Saadet Erikoğlu Primary School Er-Bakır Science High School Pamukkale University Founders Foundation Member Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu, who expresses the importance he places on his employees at every opportunity, has pioneered the establishment of the Bakırkent Cooperative with the vision of improving their social lives.
“My greatest asset is my employees.” Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu Some of Ahmet Nuri Erikoğlu’s civil society activities are summarized below: Denizli 1st Industrial Site Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Denizli 2nd Industrial Site Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Denizli Chamber of Industry Founding Member (He pioneered the establishment of an independent chamber of industry in Denizli, acting together with industrialists who were previously operating as a branch of the Izmir Chamber of Industry, and served as the President of the Assembly until 1987.) Denizli Chamber of Industry Board Member Denizli Chamber of Industry Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Denizli Chamber of Industry Council Member Denizli Chamber of Industry Council President Denizli Rotary Club Founding Member We Respectfully Remember.