In 30 Years, Both the Fair and Companies Have Grown

Marble İzmir – International Natural Stone and Technologies Fair, the gateway of Turkish natural stone to the world, met the global market for the 30th time. Held over an area exceeding 150,000 square meters, the fair hosted domestic and international participants alike. Some companies that have participated in the fair continuously since its very first edition expressed satisfaction with both the fair’s consistency and the commercial volume it helped them achieve.

Organized by İZFAŞ under the auspices of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, the fair continues to set the pulse of the sector not only through its economic contribution but also with its 30-year continuity. Among the standout participants was Alacakaya Marble, which showcased a custom-designed car inspired by its exclusive “Elazığ Cherry” stone, a natural stone sourced only from the Elazığ region.

Alacakaya Marble: Exporting to 100 Countries

Mertcan Yaşlı, Board Member of Alacakaya Marble, stated that they export to 100 countries and that Marble İzmir had a significant role in their global reach.

“We are one of the few companies that have attended the fair for all 30 years. As a company with a 41-year history, we now have 10 quarries and nearly 20 types of stone. We export to around 100 countries. Marble İzmir, as one of the world’s symbolic fairs in the marble industry, has played a major role in expanding our exports. Visitors from China, the UAE, Europe, and Saudi Arabia visit our booth. Our stones are used in places like the White House, Çankaya Presidential Mansion, Victoria’s Secret stores, Starbucks, and luxury brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Fendi. Our goal is to promote Turkish marble globally, provide employment, and contribute foreign exchange to our economy.”

A Porsche 911 with "Elazığ Cherry" Marble Pattern

Yaşlı explained that the "Elazığ Cherry" stone is part of their company’s origin story, as both the stone and the company come from Alacakaya, Elazığ.

“This stone is unique in the world, both in color and texture—truly a national treasure.”

About the marble-patterned Porsche 911 displayed at their booth, he said:

“There were reports that a Porsche 911 was wrapped in the color of Elazığ Cherry. I own a 911, and as part of the younger generation, I thought: why not showcase this stone in such a project at the fair? We developed a special wrap using advanced Japanese printing technology to replicate the exact texture and appearance. The result is now on display at our booth.”

From Pickup Trucks to Global Reach: The Çekiçler Story

Another firm that has attended the fair for 30 years is Çekiçler Marble, based in Eskişehir. Chairman Hasan Çekiç recalled how they attended the first fair with a small open-bed pickup truck and said that today, the fair continues to excite them:

“We produce marble across Turkey and export value-added products. We’ve come a long way—from displaying our goods on a tiny platform to being part of a globally significant fair. At first, we thought the fair wouldn’t contribute much since the main events were held abroad, especially in Italy. But over time, İzmir and Turkey have become global brands in this field. İzmir, with the support of civil society, IZFAS, local government, and the public, has turned into a key city for our industry.”

Serter: “Marble Has Contributed Greatly to the Industry”

Başaranlar Marble, a Denizli-based company, has exhibited in İzmir for 33 years, starting with the İzmir International Fair before Marble İzmir existed. Chairman Mehmet Serter, who also leads the Denizli Miners and Marble Association, stated:

“Before Marble İzmir, we were one of the few companies exhibiting at the İzmir International Fair on Sevgi Yolu. The Marble Fair contributed immensely to our sector—and vice versa. We’ve always collaborated closely with İzmir and its municipality. This exhibition center was built thanks to the Marble Fair. Although last year wasn’t a great one for our industry, this year saw participation from over 1,000 local and international companies. I hope all participants had a productive fair and secured strong orders.”

Saraçoğlu: “It Greatly Facilitated Access to New Markets”

Ayşe Saraçoğlu, General Manager and one of the partners of Set Makina, based in Ankara, said they are one of the five companies that have attended the fair for all 30 years. She emphasized the evolution of stone machinery technology over the years:

“This progress makes us very happy. İzmir’s specialization in the marble fair is significant for us. Marble İzmir is globally known as the second-largest marble fair. Because of this, many companies and delegations from abroad attend, which helps manufacturers like us increase exports and discover new markets. We look forward to even more international delegations and innovative collaborations in the future.”