Balparmak broke into the market in 1980 under the umbrella brand Altıparmak, and has since taken steady and determined steps to becoming a global brand. In 1989 Balparmak became Turkey’s favorite honey brand, and has been leading the market since 1991. The brand ranks among Europe’s biggest honey packagers.
Balparmak employs a workforce of 350 personnel and operates with an annual capacity of 32,000 tons at our facilities constructed on a 30,000 m2 area of land. We have distinguished ourselves as a brand through the high quality standards we offer consumers.
The story of Balparmak is as much the story of the two brothers who gave life to the industry’s most prominent brand as it is the story of the Turkish honey industry itself. This story began in Istanbul, and became over time a success story heard all over the world.
Özen Altıparmak is one of the two founding brothers of the Altıparmak Food Industry and Trade Joint Stock Company. He graduated from TED Ankara College in 1971, and completed his education in 1978 at the Business Department of Middle East Technical University’s School of Administrative Sciences. In the years that would shape his future, his entrepreneurial spirit compelled him to start his own business, yet circumstances at the time necessitated that he find a job and begin working immediately. Özen Altıparmak took the employee entrance exam at the Teachers Bank, which was one of the largest banks at the time, and placed first. He was offered the job of inspector with the condition he work at the bank for five years. Realizing that this obligation did not mesh with his passion for entrepreneurism, Özen Altıparmak declined the job.
Özen Altıparmak moved to Istanbul, where he embarked on his professional work life working at a variety of jobs while also developing projects with the goal of starting his own business.
At the last job he held before establishing his own business, Özen Altıparmak worked in the marketing department of a spice production and sales firm. His success at the job brought about one of the most important factors responsible for the existence of Balparmak today. The company management suggested to Özen Altıparmak to start a marketing and distribution company to handle the distribution of their products in Istanbul. He accepted the offer and founded the Altıparmak Marketing Unlimited Company with his father, Sabri Altıparmak, and his brother, Özgür Altıparmak.
Today, Özgür Altıparmak serves as vice president on the board of Altıparmak Food Industry and Trade Joint Stock Company, and manages production, analysis, product blending, and the filling facility. Sharing the same entrepreneurial spirit as Özen Altıparmak, he entered the business world with his brother in 1983 while still a university student.
In line with the two brothers’ shared vision, the company succeeded in marketing, selling, and distributing a large variety of food products. Among these products was natural, full-flavor honey. Being closely acquainted with honey and apiculture opened up a brand new horizon for the Altıparmak brothers.
Scientific methods were not in widespread use in the early years when Turkish apiculture was beginning to develop. The industry had no brand of honey that was well known, preferred or had a wide distribution network. Özen Altıparmak and Özgür Altıparmak foresaw that it was possible to develop apiculture by placing a well deserved premium on honey, which was after all, one of Turkey’s national treasures.
Balparmak collected honey from Turkey’s various regions, and then packaged it in a safe and hygienic way to deliver to consumers. The goal going forward for Balparmak, the hero of this success story, was to create a global brand out of Turkey’s honey.
Becoming a globally respected brand and a goodwill ambassador with scientific works and innovative products.
Protecting bee existence, supporting sustainability of apiculture and making apiculture products an essential part of a healthy life.
Founding member of BAL-DER (Assoication of Honey Packers, Exporters and Industrialists) Altıparmak Gıda Sanayi and Ticaret A.Ş. Chairman Özen Altıparmak also serves on the associatoin’s board of directors.
Food Safety Association (GDD)
International Honey Exporters Organization (IHEO)
International Honey Commission (IHC)
Associatons of Calibration and Test Laboratories (TURKLAB)
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