From Baby Food Model to Executive: A Kayseri Success Story
Table of Contents
- From Baby Food Model to Executive: A Kayseri Success Story
- Oylum Gıda: From Baby Biscuit Model to Executive Leadership – A Q&A
- About Oylum Gıda
- What is Oylum Gıda and when was it founded?
- What products does Oylum Gıda produce?
- Where are Oylum Gıda products sold?
- What are Oylum Gıda’s certifications?
- What is Oylum Gıda’s annual production capacity?
- What was Oylum Gıda’s turnover in 2024?
- Is Oylum Sınai Yatırımlar publicly traded?
- Does Oylum Gıda have domestic production line?
- Begüm Büyüknalbant’s Career Path
- Oylum Gıda’s Workforce and Global Reach
- Summary of Oylum Gıda
- About Oylum Gıda
In Kayseri, a remarkable journey has unfolded at Oylum Gıda, a company operating since 1969. Begüm Büyüknalbant, whose baby picture adorned the packaging of the company’s bebe bisküvisi (baby biscuit) in the 1990s, now serves as the Purchasing and Corporate Communications Director.
A Family Legacy
Büyüknalbant, a 35-year-old mother of two, represents the third generation of her family working at the company. She mentioned that she and her three siblings are working together to expand the company, which is traded on Borsa İstanbul.
The company boasts a substantial production capacity, with Büyüknalbant noting that they achieve an annual output of 18,000 tons using fully automated lines.
The Unusual Career Path
Büyüknalbant shared her unique career trajectory,starting as the face of the bebe bisküvisi brand when she was just a baby.She began working at the company in 2012.
“I didn’t get to this position right away. In my early years, I wanted to work as a food technician, wearing my apron,” Büyüknalbant stated. “This was a family company, and there was always a desk and chair for me, but I wanted to learn how the production process worked. I told my older brother and father, ‘I’m going to put on my apron and work in production; I want to learn how the process works.'”
she continued, “I started as a food technician, even though I actually have a business degree. I worked in many areas, from packaging to collecting bisküvi, from boxing to dating. in the early 1990s, I was the advertising face on the packaging when we produced bebe bisküvisi. A foreman recognized me from there and exposed me. It became clear that I was not a food technician. After doing rotations, I moved to other units after production, and now I continue in this position.”
Learning from the Ground up
Büyüknalbant emphasized the value of learning the business from the ground up. “I learned clearly how things are done, how they work, and where to get which product; I matured with experience,” she said. ”I am very happy to be both in the management of a company in Kayseri and to be involved in women’s activities.”
Global Reach and Women in Workforce
The company places notable emphasis on women’s employment. Out of 212 employees, 98 are women.
With over half a century in the snack sector, the company has a strong market presence. “65 percent of our sales are domestic, and 35 percent are exports,” Büyüknalbant explained. “Our products are also available in national and international chain markets. we send our products to 40 countries. Our 2024 turnover is approximately 600 million liras. We aim to increase this target further in 2025. Our company has BRCGS, Halal Certificate, ISO 22000, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 quality certificates. We also implement Sedex and BSCI Social Compliance systems.”
Key Highlights:
- begüm Büyüknalbant: From bebe bisküvisi model to Purchasing and Corporate Communications Director.
- Company Founded: 1969 in Kayseri.
- Annual Production: 18,000 tons.
- Export Reach: 40 countries.
- 2024 Turnover: Approximately 600 million liras.
Oylum Gıda: From Baby Biscuit Model to Executive Leadership – A Q&A
This article explores the journey of Oylum Gıda, a Turkish company operating since 1969, and the fascinating career path of Begüm Büyüknalbant, who transitioned from being the face of their iconic “bebe bisküvisi” (baby biscuit) to becoming the Purchasing and Corporate Communications Director.
About Oylum Gıda
What is Oylum Gıda and when was it founded?
Oylum Gıda is a Turkish food company specializing in the snack sector. it was founded in 1969 in Kayseri, Turkey.
What products does Oylum Gıda produce?
Oylum Gıda is known for its snack products, including the popular “bebe bisküvisi” (baby biscuit).
Where are Oylum Gıda products sold?
oylum Gıda products are available in both domestic and international markets, including national and international chain markets. They export to 40 countries.
What are Oylum Gıda’s certifications?
Oylum Gıda holds several quality certifications, including:
BRCGS
Halal Certificate
ISO 22000
ISO 14001
ISO 45001
They also implement Sedex and BSCI Social Compliance systems.
What is Oylum Gıda’s annual production capacity?
Oylum Gıda has a considerable production capacity, achieving an annual output of 18,000 tons using fully automated lines.
What was Oylum Gıda’s turnover in 2024?
Oylum Gıda’s turnover in 2024 was approximately 600 million Turkish Liras. The company aims to increase this target in 2025.
Is Oylum Sınai Yatırımlar publicly traded?
Yes, Oylum Sınai Yatırımlar is traded on Borsa İstanbul (Istanbul Stock Exchange).
Does Oylum Gıda have domestic production line?
Yes. Oylum Gıda has 100% domestic production line, according to kobibilgi.net.
Begüm Büyüknalbant’s Career Path
Who is Begüm Büyüknalbant?
Begüm Büyüknalbant is the Purchasing and Corporate Communications Director at Oylum Gıda. Her career path is unique, as she was once the baby face featured on the packaging of their “bebe bisküvisi” in the 1990s.
How did Begüm Büyüknalbant start working at Oylum Gıda?
Begüm started at the company in 2012. Initially, she worked in production as a food technician, despite having a business degree. She wanted to understand the production process from the ground up.
What roles did Begüm Büyüknalbant hold before becoming a director?
Before becoming Purchasing and Corporate Communications Director, Begüm worked in various areas of the company, including:
Packaging
Collecting bisküvi
Boxing
Dating (referring to product dating and labeling)
Food Technician
What is Begüm Büyüknalbant’s educational background?
Despite starting as a food technician, Begüm Büyüknalbant actually holds a business degree.
What does Begüm Büyüknalbant say about learning the business from the ground up?
Begüm emphasizes the value of learning the business from the ground up,stating,”I learned clearly how things are done,how they work,and where to get which product; I matured with experience.”
Oylum Gıda’s Workforce and Global Reach
How many employees does Oylum Gıda have?
Oylum Gıda employs 212 people.
how many women are employed at Oylum Gıda?
Of Oylum Gıda’s 212 employees, 98 are women. This highlights the company’s emphasis on women’s employment.
What percentage of Oylum Gıda’s sales are domestic vs. exports?
Oylum Gıda’s sales are divided as follows:
65% domestic sales
35% exports
To how many countries does Oylum Gıda export its products?
Oylum Gıda exports its products to 40 countries. One of Oylum’s strategies for increasing export is participating on overseas fairs.
Summary of Oylum Gıda
| Fact | Detail |
| ————————- | ———————————————————————– |
| Founding Year | 1969 |
| Location | Kayseri, Turkey |
| Key Personnel | Begüm Büyüknalbant (Purchasing and Corporate Communications Director) |
| main Product | Bebe bisküvisi (Baby Biscuit) |
| Annual Production | 18,000 tons |
| Export Reach | 40 countries |
| 2024 Turnover | Approximately 600 million Turkish liras |
| Employee gender Diversity | 98 of 212 employees are women |
| Stock Exchange Listing | Borsa İstanbul |
