The "Turkishtime R&D 500 Survey," which measures the R&D investments of Turkish companies, has been announced. BEST, the largest subsidiary of Yircali Holding, which established Turkey's first R&D center in Balıkesir in 2010, continues to break records. By entering the top 30 in Turkey's R&D Champions list, which includes 500 companies from different sectors, BEST has achieved great success.

Continuing to increase its successes in R&D, BEST has proven to be a leading organization in research and development, leaving many well-known companies behind in Turkey. BEST regards research and development as a part of its growth strategy, and aims to produce its own technology, advancing its competitiveness in national and international arenas.

Established in 2010 as Turkey's first energy sector R&D center, BEST R&D Center completed a total of 61 R&D projects in 2019. The R&D spending of approximately 54.5 million Turkish Lira exceeds 7% of BEST's total turnover. This rate is higher than the R&D expenditure rate of around 2% for the European Union and around 1% for Turkey's GDP.

The income gained from BEST's 10-year R&D work constitutes about 60% of its 2019 turnover. BEST has been a stakeholder in 34 TEYDEB projects, supported and supervised by TUBITAK, Turkey's competent science council.

The company is also among the project partners for the two HORIZON projects currently in progress with EU support, and is a pioneer in this field. With previous applications, the total number of patent, utility model, industrial design, and trademark applications was increased to 24 as of 2019. Applications have been made to the world, European, and Turkish patent offices.

As of 2019, the total number of BEST R&D Center employees was 81. Providing training opportunities to employees is one of the priorities of the R&D center. Employees with a master's degree make up 17% of the total R&D personnel, while the number of personnel with a doctorate is around 6%, which is considered high among R&D centers.

The R&D Center continues to work with expert academicians from both Balıkesir universities and all universities in Turkey in collaboration with universities. In addition to universities, it participates in international committees such as TSE, IEC, and CIGRE for the benefit of the country, and since 2019, the director of the R&D center, Ahmet Kerem Köseoğlu, has been the head of the Cigre Turkey Transformers and Reactors Committee. The Center Director was awarded the Refik Üreyen Award for Turkey's Most Innovative Staff by TTGV in 2018.

BEST R&D Center is the most important representative of the energy sector, behind the leading manufacturing sectors in Turkey, such as automotive, defense industry, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and white goods. Celebrating its 10th year, experienced BEST R&D Center will continue to contribute to our country, Balıkesir, and the company. BEST A.S. is also a pioneer in female employment, with 17% of its engineering and office staff being female. It also sees increasing the number of female employees in production units as a social responsibility.

Source: Habertürk.com