Prominent Turkish businessman dies at 88

Bodur established the Kale Group, which is one of the largest businesses in Turkey with a total of 17 companies with interests ranging from defense to energy and tourism. The Kale Group is the largest construction chemicals producer and seller in Turkey and fifth largest in Europe. The Kale Group has operated in the defense and aviation industry since 1989 and became a key part of the F-35 program in 2005 when Kale Aviation Company began producing more than 200 critical body and wing components for the fifth generation F-35 fighter aircraft. 

The Turkish parliament honored Bodur with the distinguished service award in 2006. 

Bodur instituted foreign partnerships with other major corporations like Siemens, Roca and General Electric. He was involved in the establishment of Istanbul’s Chamber of Industry, the first independent chamber of industry in Turkey. 

From 1952 to 1962, he served as a member of Istanbul’s Chamber of Industry on the stone and soil-based brick, refractory, cement, ceramics and glass professional committees. Elected as an Istanbul Chamber of Industry council member in 1962, he remained in office for 38 years until 2008, thus setting a record. He was elected as a general assembly member of the Turkish Union of Chambers on behalf of Istanbul’s Chamber of Industry in 1968, then took office on the Board of Directors of the Turkish Union of Chambers, and served as chairman and deputy chairman on the Executive Board of the Turkish Union of Chambers for six years. He established sectoral councils under the Union of Chambers, and became the president of the Council of Turkish Union of Chambers of Industry for two terms. He was then appointed the General Assembly Chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers from 1980 to 1982. 

Bodur made great contributions to the Turkish industry and economy during his terms on the Industry Council of the Turkish Union of Chambers of Industry and the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEİK). As one of the founders of the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD), Bodur provided many years of service as manager and chairman and held a high advisory board position.

According to a statement from the Kale Group, Bodur’s funeral will take place in Istanbul on May 24, while his body will be buried in his hometown in the Aegean province of Çanakkale on May 25.