Cafer Sadık Abalıoğlu

(1920 – 1994)

He gained his first business experience carrying out leather trade at his father’s workplace while he was a student. Upon his father Mehmet Ali ABALIOĞLU’s death in 1941, he left İstanbul Business College and went back to Denizli and started working with his elder brother Baki ABALIOĞLU. Mr. Cafer and Baki bought Karabacak Flour Factory in 1944 with participation of their brother-in-law Hacı Ahmet İNCEOĞLU.

Mr. Cafer, who got a start in business at a young age, took his second important step in his life by deciding to get married in 1944. His wife Mrs. Zaferiye was not just the keystone of their happy family, but also gave power to his husband with her support and encouragement.

The establishment of Pamuk Ginnery in 1951 is considered to be a significant step going to Abalıoğlu Holding. Mr. Cafer and his partners adopted the idea of keeping up with new technologies as an important principle of their business life. They sought for, found and implemented the ways to improve the quality in ginnery same as in all their businesses. They proceeded with the state-of-art machinery and equipment.

The family had become one of the most important businesses in Denizli in 60’s. In addition to operation of flour and ginnery factories and sale of basic consumption goods such as sugar and salt, fuel oil, tires and automotive dealerships were added to business activities of the family. The partnership was ended in 1966 with mutual agreement. This decision also brought new responsibilities to his sons Mehmet Ali ABALIOĞLU and İsmet ABALIOĞLU. In those days, Mehmet Ali ABALIOĞLU was just 19 and his brother İsmet ABALIOĞLU was 15 and a high school student. They managed both school and business lives and took heavy responsibilities in active business life at an early age. They worked day and night and built up significant savings.

The family became a partner in 1975 under the leadership of Mr. Cafer to Dentaş A.Ş. which was established earlier.

The year 1984 when they entered into partnership with Er-Bakır was another turning point for the Abalıoğlu Family. The first steps preparing Er-Bakır to be a world company were taken at that time with great efforts. After that uphill struggle in copper, in 1990 everything was ready for the spinning facility which was the greatest dream of Mr.Cafer. This high-tech spinning facility started production in 1991. Mr. Cafer would see cotton as thread roller around bobbins from now on.

Mr. Cafer continued to produce value for the society throughout his life along with his industrial identity. According to the principle of “share what you get from the society with the society”, he had Cafer Sadık Abalıoğlu Elementary School built in 1973.

Then he leaded building of another school on behalf of Dentaş A.Ş. where he was a shareholder. The third school was built on behalf of his wife; Zaferiye Abalıoğlu Elementary School. Lastly, after his and her wife’s decease, Er-Bakır Science High School was built together with the Erikoğlu family. All these schools providing education to about 5 thousand students every year were donated to the Ministry of Public Education.

The success of the leader companies that Mr. Cafer founded in 3 main sectors including paper package, textile and copper got beyond the national boundaries and spread to the international arena. Mr. Cafer who was a remarkable industrialist and businessman also carried out significant social works for our country in the areas of education and health. He passed away on the 5th of September, 1994.

His goodwife Mrs. Zaferiye who who greatly contributed to his success and happy family deceased on the 26th of December, 1994.

Mr. Cafer who took care of the business until the last days of his life and lighted the way for his children and employees when required with his experience, entrepreneurial spirit and executive ability made remarkable marks during his 53-year business life. Mr. Cafer’s principles constitute a basis for the corporate culture and have become like a compass for his children and future generations of the family.

Going on the way which he pioneered is a rightful proud. The enterprises Mr. Cafer founded with high values are continuing to grow steadfastly same as in the days before his death.

We remember Mr. Cafer Sadık ABALIOĞLU with respect.