Message From Our Founder
Kemal Gülman
Founder and Honorary President
I laid the foundations of Gülman Group in 1952, at a time when Türkiye and the world were in a great transformation. I started my business in a period “when our country was in need of even a pin”, as the popular saying goes. In a world order that was being restructured after the Second World War, my biggest goal was to bring to my country innovations that would support Türkiye development in industry, trade and service sectors. I focused on contributing to the development of Turkish industry, trade and service sectors through innovative ideas, bold initiatives and collaboration-oriented partnerships. When I look back today, I am proud to see that my company contributed to the establishment of many leading enterprises in Türkiye, and that the Gülman brand encouraged the development of my country's entrepreneurial spirit.
Our real estate investments have been the driving force in the development and growth of our group, which has a history of approximately 70 years. We took pride in pioneering high quality building construction and properly planned urbanization in our country by our housing, office and other commercial real estate investments in important cities of Türkiye, especially İstanbul. As a group, we have managed to survive through cyclical fluctuations by always thinking ahead of the trends, always relying on our equity capital, and by a careful and controlled risk management policy.
Today, our most important future goal is to preserve and increase our acquisitions of 70 years, and by maintaining our structure that gives confidence to our stakeholders, to continue our investments that will ultimately serve our country's economy.
As the honorary president of the group, I will continue to guide new generations with my experience, and proudly watch their achievements that will carry the Gülman name to the top.
Kind regards
Kemal Gülman
Founder and Honorary President
I laid the foundations of Gülman Group in 1952, at a time when Türkiye and the world were in a great transformation. I started my business in a period “when our country was in need of even a pin”, as the popular saying goes. In a world order that was being restructured after the Second World War, my biggest goal was to bring to my country innovations that would support Türkiye development in industry, trade and service sectors. I focused on contributing to the development of Turkish industry, trade and service sectors through innovative ideas, bold initiatives and collaboration-oriented partnerships. When I look back today, I am proud to see that my company contributed to the establishment of many leading enterprises in Türkiye, and that the Gülman brand encouraged the development of my country's entrepreneurial spirit.
Our real estate investments have been the driving force in the development and growth of our group, which has a history of approximately 70 years. We took pride in pioneering high quality building construction and properly planned urbanization in our country by our housing, office and other commercial real estate investments in important cities of Türkiye, especially İstanbul. As a group, we have managed to survive through cyclical fluctuations by always thinking ahead of the trends, always relying on our equity capital, and by a careful and controlled risk management policy.
Today, our most important future goal is to preserve and increase our acquisitions of 70 years, and by maintaining our structure that gives confidence to our stakeholders, to continue our investments that will ultimately serve our country's economy.
As the honorary president of the group, I will continue to guide new generations with my experience, and proudly watch their achievements that will carry the Gülman name to the top.
Kind regards
Short excerpts from the book “Stories from Work - My Experiences, My Recommendations”:
Founder of Gülman Group, entrepreneur and businessman Kemal Gülman, shared sections of his business life and the steps that brought the group to this day in the book titled “STORIES FROM BUSINESS - My Experiences, My Recommendations”.
Published as a ‘Memoir Book’ in 2022 due to the 70th anniversary of Gülman Group, the book was first offered as an audio book on Storytel due to the interest it attracted, and then distributed by Alfa Publications and offered for sale in bookstores across Türkiye.
All of the proceeds from the book are donated to the Turkish Education Foundation.
Short excerpts from the book “Stories from Work - My Experiences, My Recommendations”:
Kemal Gülman, entrepreneur, businessman and the founder of Gülman Group, shared passages from his business life and the steps that brought the group to today in the book titled "Stories from Business - My Experiences, My Recommendations".
The book, which was published as a book of recollections in 2022 on the occasion of Gülman Group's 70th anniversary, by the encouragement of the general acclaim, was first put on sale as an audiobook on Storytel, and then in bookstores across Turkey through the distribution by Alfa Publications.
All proceeds from this book’s sales are donated to the Turkish Education Foundation.
Short excerpts from the book “Stories from Work - My Experiences, My Recommendations”:
"I started from scratch. I was just a child who didn't know about anything. I learned, and practiced what I learned. I searched for and found everything needed for the development of the industry in my land and brought them to my country. I both served my country and created bright prospects for myself and my family. Honesty and integrity have always been my saviors. Just like my father, I benefited from being calm, gentle, and listening more than talking.
The book will have reached its goal, if my children, grandchildren and especially young business people can benefit from the slightest element of the story of Kemal Gülman, who took advantage of the opportunities of the Republic entrusted to us by Atatürk, this man who started full of hope his business life from scratch, completed 70 years in business, and felt the pride of serving his motherland."
Short excerpts from the book “Stories from Work – My Experiences, My Recommendations”:
“I started from scratch. I was just a child who didn’t know about anything. I learned, and practiced what I learned. I searched for and found everything needed for the development of the industry in my land and brought them to my country. I both served my country and created bright prospects for myself and my family. Honesty and integrity have always been my saviors. Just like my father, I benefited from being calm, gentle, and listening more than talking.
The book will have reached its goal, if my children, grandchildren and especially young business people can benefit from the slightest element of the story of Kemal Gülman, who took advantage of the opportunities of the Republic entrusted to us by Atatürk, this man who started full of hope his business life from scratch, completed 70 years in business, and felt the pride of serving his motherland.”
Short excerpts from the book “Stories from Work - My Experiences, My Recommendations”:
"I started from scratch. I was just a child who didn't know about anything. I learned, and practiced what I learned. I searched for and found everything needed for the development of the industry in my land and brought them to my country. I both served my country and created bright prospects for myself and my family. Honesty and integrity have always been my saviors. Just like my father, I benefited from being calm, gentle, and listening more than talking.
The book will have reached its goal, if my children, grandchildren and especially young business people can benefit from the slightest element of the story of Kemal Gülman, who took advantage of the opportunities of the Republic entrusted to us by Atatürk, this man who started full of hope his business life from scratch, completed 70 years in business, and felt the pride of serving his motherland."
Short excerpts from the book “Stories from Work - My Experiences, My Recommendations”:
"I started from scratch. I was just a child who didn't know about anything. I learned, and practiced what I learned. I searched for and found everything needed for the development of the industry in my land and brought them to my country. I both served my country and created bright prospects for myself and my family. Honesty and integrity have always been my saviors. Just like my father, I benefited from being calm, gentle, and listening more than talking.
The book will have reached its goal, if my children, grandchildren and especially young business people can benefit from the slightest element of the story of Kemal Gülman, who took advantage of the opportunities of the Republic entrusted to us by Atatürk, this man who started full of hope his business life from scratch, completed 70 years in business, and felt the pride of serving his motherland."