Founded in 1942, Eczacıbaşı is a prominent Turkish industrial group with 41 companies, 11,730 employees and a combined net turnover of 2.6 billion Euro in 2012. Eczacıbaşı’s core sectors are building products, healthcare and consumer products. Additionally, the Group is active in finance, information technology, welding technology, mining, and property development. In Turkey, Eczacıbaşı is the leader in most of its businesses with some of the most effective distribution networks in the country for building products, pharmaceuticals, and fast-moving consumer goods. Globally, Eczacıbaşı has established itself among the world’s top providers of bathroom and tiling solutions for homes and commercial venues with its VitrA, Burgbad, Villeroy and Boch (Tiles), and Engers brands. It is also a major exporter of tissue paper, welding electrodes, electronic smart cards and industrial raw materials such as clay and feldspar. International partnership is a central component of the Eczacıbaşı Group’s growth strategy. Eczacıbaşı has four international joint ventures and numerous cooperation agreements with leading international companies. All of these are grounded on the principles of long-term mutual benefit and sustainable business practices. The Eczacıbaşı Group’s mission is to be a pioneer of modern lifestyles that are healthy, high quality and sustainable. Accordingly, the Group encourages each of its companies to surpass established standards and raise consumer benchmarks of product and service quality. Through sponsorship and responsible corporate practices, it also promotes social and economic development that nurtures cultural and scientific activity, protects the environment and preserves scarce natural resources. “Eczacıbaşı”, in Turkish, means “chief pharmacist”, an honorary title and surname that was given to the father of the Group’s founder at the turn of the last century in recognition of his continual efforts to improve the health of his community.