Turkish manufacturer ASAŞ Aluminium Industry has achieved the prestigious Gold level Cycle-Friendly Employer (CFE) certification, bestowed by ENVERÇEVKO, the ECF Member and CFE National Coordinator for Türkiye. This recognition marks ASAŞ as the second Turkish employer to attain such accreditation, underscoring its commitment to fostering a cycling-friendly workplace.
Feridun Ekmekci, the Head of ENVERÇEVKO, believes that ASAŞ's Cycle-Friendly Employer (CFE) certification will empower employees to embrace cycling. This belief is reinforced by the enthusiastic response from staff members participating in the company's weekend cycling activities. ASAŞ goes a step further by providing bicycle training through the ASAŞ Academy, aiming to assist employees in cultivating new skills and competencies.
ASAŞ operates from its facilities in Akyazı, Sakarya, offering diverse products and services, including aluminium profile systems, composite panels, PVC window and door systems, roller shutter and garage door systems, and aluminium flat rolled products.
Renowned as a leading European manufacturer, ASAŞ caters to diverse sectors, including construction, transportation, and energy. Headquartered in the province of Sakarya, the company boasts a workforce of over 3,000 individuals. The factory is poised for further expansion, occupying an extensive area of 2 million square meters.
Unwavering commitments to robust social and environmental principles have long guided ASAŞ. The pursuit of CFE Certification was fuelled by a dual ambition: mitigating their operations' environmental impact and enhancing their employees' well-being. Central to this endeavour is the recognition of bicycles as a straightforward and effective solution for fulfilling the daily mobility needs of their workforce, all while diminishing the factory's carbon footprint.
Among these measures is providing 320 bicycles for employees, facilitating a sustainable and healthier mode of transportation. Complementing this initiative is constructing an 8-kilometre bicycle path within the company campus, streamlining commuting between various production facilities. Additionally, ASAŞ actively supports employees opting to cycle to work by establishing connections with the nearby Akyazı district, thereby promoting a more health-conscious and eco-friendly commute.
ASAŞ's commitment to environmental sustainability and proactive measures to promote cycling exemplifies a commendable approach to corporate responsibility. The Gold level CFE certification underscores the company's dedication to creating a workplace that prioritises both environmental consciousness and the well-being of its workforce.
The Turkey-based manufacturer sees the Cycle-Friendly Employer (CFE) certification as a potent catalyst for cultivating healthier individuals and societies. The company aims to leverage this certification to raise awareness among employers in their region regarding the environmental and socio-economic advantages of commuting to work by bicycle. Firmly establishing collaborative ties with local governments, including the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality, ASAŞ is planning an ambitious project to construct a dedicated bicycle path connecting the nearby city of Sakarya and the Akyazi district, thereby establishing vital transport links.
2020 witnessed the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality earning the distinguished "Bike City" title by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), an accolade echoing the region's fervent commitment to fostering a culture of increased and enhanced cycling. Strategic partnerships with major industries, exemplified by ASAŞ, in pursuing sustainable transport transition, hold significant promise, presenting opportunities to expedite positive change in these areas.
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