The 100th Year Bayındır Milk Processing Factory, which is part of İZTARIM AŞ, one of the important subsidiaries of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, has started production again strongly after a comprehensive improvement process. The factory, which has undertaken the mission of evaluating the sweat of İzmir farmers and delivering healthy and reliable dairy products to the tables of İzmir residents, was virtually reborn with the revision implemented with the directives of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay. During this process, the factory staff was strengthened, production equipment was modernized, and a sustainable production model was established by establishing strict financial discipline. In this way, both the faces of small producers in the region were happy and the people of İzmir had access to affordable, quality milk and dairy products.
One of the most important steps taken in the restructuring process of the factory was the cooperation protocol signed with Tire Milk Cooperative. Thanks to this protocol, approximately 800 tons of milk produced by farmers from İzmir began to be processed at Bayındır Milk Factory. This cooperation both increased the value of local producers’ products and allowed the factory to meet its raw material needs from a reliable source. While milk production continues with UHT (Ultra High Temperature) technology for the “Milk Lamb” project, one of the social responsibility projects of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, milk, yogurt and butter production has also accelerated under the İZMAR brand. These products are preparing to take their place on the shelves to be offered to the tables of İzmir residents at affordable prices in a short time.
İZTARIM General Manager Öztürk Kurt provided detailed information about the work carried out at the factory. Kurt said, “We had some deficiencies in the past at Bayındır Süt Fabrikası. In this restructuring process, we first made comprehensive revisions regarding workforce planning and our current machinery. We implemented our innovative projects in order to achieve higher capacity and efficient production. At this point, Bayındır Süt Fabrikası has completed all its deficiencies and started production much more strongly.”
Öztürk Kurt, who emphasized that the labor of small producers from İzmir turned into added value in the factory, drew attention to the importance of the cooperation with the Tire Milk Cooperative. Kurt said, “Within the framework of the contract we signed with the Tire Milk Cooperative, we received an order of approximately 800 tons and completed the production of the first 460 tons of this. The 250 thousand packages of milk you see in our production line are currently complete and ready for shipment. Our priority is to continue our production uninterruptedly in order to support the Milk Lamb project more effectively in the future. The agreement we made with the Tire Milk Cooperative does not only cover milk purchase. At the same time, we aim to support producers engaged in milk and animal husbandry in the region by helping them with packaging and alleviating their difficulties to some extent.”
Öztürk Kurt, who stated that İZMAR branded products are offered to consumers at affordable prices in İzmir Tanzim Sales Markets (İZMAR), expressed that these products are also produced in the factory in accordance with the highest hygiene and quality standards. Kurt said, “In addition to the orders we receive from Tire Milk Cooperative in our factory, we also produce İZMAR Milk, İZMAR Yogurt and İZMAR Butter for our İZMAR brand. Our aim is to offer more innovative and easily accessible products to the people of İzmir. In this direction, our factory continues to develop continuously. We process the valuable milk produced by our İzmir farmers in a reliable and healthy way here, package them as yogurt, butter and milk and deliver them directly to the tables of the people of İzmir.” Öztürk Kurt also reminded that İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay stated that he stands by the people of İzmir at every opportunity, adding that there is a strong team behind this promise and that they will continue to be a partner in this struggle.
Tire Milk Cooperative Board Chairman Osman Öztürk emphasized that the protocol made with İZTARIM provides great support especially to small producers. Öztürk said, “Our main goal is to keep small producers on their feet. We have been working meticulously for this purpose for years. Our main job as a cooperative is to collect milk and evaluate this milk in the best way. Thanks to our positive relations with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality for years, a significant portion of our milk is evaluated here.” Osman Öztürk, who stated that they collect approximately 320 tons of milk daily, said, “This agreement we made with İZTARIM gave a new meaning to the Milk Lamb project. We wanted to solve the current problems here by cooperating with İZTARIM, which is an institution of our own region, and I believe we were successful in this regard. 10 tons of the milk we collect daily goes directly to the Milk Lamb project. We sincerely hope that this amount will increase in the future. The increase in the amount of milk produced in İzmir and the strengthening of the Milk Lamb project will be much more beneficial for both institutions. Our cooperation with İZTARIM continues to grow stronger with the new agreements we have signed.”
Expressing their satisfaction in supporting the work of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay in the new term, Osman Öztürk said, “Our primary goal is to strengthen the economic situation of small producers in rural areas. This is only possible with the support provided to us by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. I believe that if this understanding becomes widespread not only in Izmir but also throughout the country, it will make great contributions to both the country’s economy and our farmers.”
