FOUNDATION
The TS 863 Elevator Standard, which came into force on December 5, 1971, contained provisions that were technically impossible to implement. Upon encountering this serious issue, the senior executives of ten companies that had previously carried out separate but coordinated work with municipalities, the Ministry of Industry, and engineering chambers decided to establish an association on August 1, 1972. As a result of the first meeting held on October 5, 1972, it was decided that the name of the association would be AYSAD (Elevator and Escalator Industrialists Association) and that it would operate at the address Türkeli Han, Yanıkkapı Street, Bankalar Avenue.
INITIAL ACTIVITIES
At a meeting regarding the elevator industry held at the Ministry of Industry at the end of 1972, it was requested that the common opinions of industrialists on minimum technical requirements be conveyed to the Ministry through our association. AYSAD carried out the necessary work and prepared a regulation of minimum requirements, thereby enabling higher-quality elevators and better maintenance in our country during that period.
Since its establishment, our association has worked systematically and moved to Beyoğlu Kadir Han in 1973 to continue its activities. In 1974, AYSAD collaborated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the issue of “Import Allocations,” ensuring that the law was used beneficially and fairly in our sector. In 1975, informative documents about elevators were sent to the Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Bursa, and Eskişehir branches of Istanbul Technical University and the Chambers of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, thus ensuring the flow of information to relevant technical circles. In 1978–79–80, our association focused not only on technical activities but also on social events to encourage unity within the sector. AYSAD continued its contacts with the Ministry of Industry during this time and contributed to the preparation of the import regime, thereby helping protect the interests of the country, producers, and consumers.
AFTER THE TENTH YEAR
AYSAD’s first decade coincided with a challenging period in Turkey, marked by scarcity and difficulties. After 1982, the establishment of liberal policies and the increasing growth rate of the national economy also impacted the demand for elevators. As a result, unqualified manufacturing started to dominate the market. In 1982–83–84, significant educational activities related to our sector continued. Within this scope, efforts were made to improve the quality of firms lacking sufficient qualifications for the production of quality elevators. Additionally, at the request of the Ministry of Public Works, support was provided for preparing special unit price lists for high-speed elevators.
GROWTH PERIOD OF THE ASSOCIATION
On November 11, 1987, the association’s headquarters was moved to Hasanpaşa, Kadıköy, thus gaining the opportunity to work in a more suitable environment. Continuing its activities actively in 1988, our association held frequent meetings at its building to find solutions to the problems faced by its members. As a result, the number of association members continued to grow rapidly. In 1990, AYSAD submitted a proposal to TSE to amend problematic provisions in TS 863 and succeeded in changing 4 out of 9 articles. On April 9, 1992, AYSAD was invited to represent the sector at the signing ceremony of the protocol between TSE and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, where it voiced the sector’s difficulties and necessary solutions. The Social Security Institution requested a seminar from our association to inform S.S.K. Control Engineers about what to pay attention to when selecting, installing, storing, and approving elevators to be installed in their buildings. A seminar was held at a conference hall in Taksim for S.S.K. personnel. In 1993, thanks to the significant efforts of our association and IFO Istanbul Fair Organization, the first large international fair in our country was organized. These fairs have grown over time and become a globally recognized event. A technical team was formed for harmonizing TSE standards with European standards, and AYSAD’s views were presented. At the end of 2002, our association applied for membership in the European Lift Association (ELA) and was accepted as an observer in February 2003 and as a full member in 2008. In 2003, two full members were appointed to the Elevator Technical Committee (ASTEK) formed within the Ministry of Industry and Trade. By participating in ASTEK meetings, opinions were expressed on sectoral issues. AYSAD became a member of the SEDEFED Sectoral Associations Federation in 2007, the Conformity Assessment Association (UDDER) in 2011, a founding member of the Machinery Manufacturing Industry Associations Federation (MAKFED) in 2014, and a member of Turkey IMSAD in 2018.
OUR QUALITY POLICY, VISION, AND MISSION
AYSAD QUALITY POLICY
AYSAD was established to unite qualified entrepreneurs in the elevator and escalator industry under one umbrella, create a cooperation platform based on solidarity among its members, and represent its members nationally and internationally. To sustain its development in line with this quality policy, AYSAD is committed to:
- Monitoring legal regulations and the evolving quality expectations of its members;
- Setting targets and providing necessary resources to adapt to new developments;
- Complying with current quality management system requirements and continuously updating and enhancing all rules and methods in line with our objectives—this is the core principle of our quality policy.
Aware that the effectiveness of our quality policy depends on the understanding and adoption of it by AYSAD employees and members, the AYSAD Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring and continually improving this environment.
On behalf of the AYSAD Board of Directors, I commit to consistently monitoring compliance with the quality system rules and improving the system according to changing conditions.
Fevzi Yıldırım
Chairman of the Board
AYSAD’s Vision
To consist of qualified entrepreneurs; to gather a wide, relevant community under its umbrella; to be the representative of the Turkish Elevator and Escalator Industry;
To promote cooperation and solidarity among its members;
To enhance international relations of its members and the sector;
To be a pioneer, guide, and solution provider in national and sectoral issues;
To support scientific and technical freedom throughout the production process up to market delivery;
To cooperate with universities and educational institutions in all areas;
To carry out national and international image enhancement efforts;
To conduct sectoral activities on international platforms on behalf of Turkey;
To lead toward a Turkey that has completed EU harmonization and minimized bureaucracy;
To carry the institutional position into the future as a civil society organization that provides beneficial work for its members and society through sustainable development.
AYSAD’s Mission
AYSAD brings together the pioneering and innovative entrepreneurs of the Elevator and Escalator Industry on the basis of solidarity and represents them on national and international platforms. It provides its members with support in education, information, organization, and strategy for global competition.
AYSAD works to ensure that elevators, escalators, and related components are offered to the market in a safer and higher-quality manner. Within this scope, it cooperates with official institutions, provides them with information support, and participates in studies. It carries out efforts to inform consumers and other NGOs about legislative developments.
