Private consumption tax relief, delivered as part of the Turkish government’s fourth financial measures package, has not been able to relieve the white goods industry.
As the industry contracted over 30 percent since the beginning of the global crisis, Vestel, Turkey’s biggest television maker, decided to close 200 of its authorized service centers. The company, which operates under the roof of Zorlu Holding, has 500 authorized service centers nationwide.
Vestel had to take measures against the market contraction, according to representatives of the company. Some cities had over seven authorized service centers and started to become an unnecessary burden for Vestel. The company’s decision to close down the service centers was also aimed at increasing efficiency, according to officials. The move will leave approximately 600 people unemployed.
Vestel seems to be the only white goods firm taking such drastic measures.
Ar§elik, Turkey’s biggest maker of household appliances, has no plans to close its authorized service centers or dealers, said Atilla İlbaş, deputy director of the company.
Indesit has about 222 authorized service centers nationwide and has no plans to shut any of them, said Elif Tercan, marketing manager of the firm. “Besides being dedicated to keeping them open, we also are currently working on restructuring them. New service staff is being trained and service cars are being renewed,” she said. BSH, a home appliances company with around 360 authorized services, also does not consider closing its services.
