The “Elevator Industry Report 2020,” which includes data, analysis, and evaluations specific to the elevator and escalator sector, has been published by the Ministry of Science, Industry, and Technology.

The report forecasts continued growth in the construction sector—and consequently in the elevator sector—driven by Türkiye’s location in a seismic zone, the accelerating need for earthquake-resistant buildings, ongoing new construction projects, and the increasing importance of urbanization in both major cities and smaller-population areas.

According to the report, the primary cause of contraction in the domestic elevator market is the decline in the construction sector, particularly due to instability in the Middle East. Additionally, multinational elevator companies dominating the global market have shifted their production operations to Asia in pursuit of lower labor costs. This trend poses a risk both to end-user satisfaction and to the development of the local elevator industry in Türkiye.

The report highlights that Turkish elevator companies have significantly improved their capabilities in component manufacturing, complete elevator sales, and installation on an international level. Thanks to R&D investments and the ability to produce at standards competitive with imported products—particularly those aligned with EN 81 European norms—Turkish manufacturers have successfully gained market share in the Middle East, Turkic Republics, EU countries, and Africa.

Another notable point in the report is that Turkish elevator manufacturers have primarily focused on the production and export of electric elevator components, whereas the domestic market remains largely dependent on imports when it comes to hydraulic elevator systems.

Lastly, the report emphasizes the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected much of the world throughout 2020. The pandemic caused major contractions in both domestic and international markets, with elevator component manufacturers and installation companies among the most severely impacted players in the industry.

In an industry that currently includes 2,749 officially registered local elevator installation and component manufacturing firms, the report underscores the importance of collaboration among strong players in the field. Rather than further fragmentation, uniting to build recognized brands and achieve long-term success is seen as a crucial path forward for the sector.