24-25 September (in person)

This meeting is for senior business leaders & their teams; people who are actively leading industry today including F&L Member companies and leaders across Türkiye.

Confirmations from the companies below; leaders’ names are always confidential to those attending.

Adidas (sportswear)
Aksa Akrilik (Acrylic fibre manufacturer & exporter)
Arçelik LG Klima (air conditioner manufacturing & export)
Arkas Port & Terminal Services Group (integrated port & terminal operator)
Arvato (3PL and supply chain solutions)
Atlı Global (business advisory services)
Baltic Rail (rail freight operator)
BASF (global chemicals manufacturer & distributor)
BATI Group (shipping)
BATU International Lojistik (multimodal)
BBCT British Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye (international business networking)
Bertan Logistics Industry & Foreign Trade
Brisa Bridgestone Sabancı (tyre manufacturing & mobility)
B/S/H/ (global home appliance manufacturer)
BYD Turkey (entity establishing the factory and conducting manufacturing operations in Türkiye)
Çalık Enerji (energy infrastructure)
Catts (customs brokerage & trade compliance)
Çetinkayalar (retail)
CFL multimodal
Chasquee (digital logistics optimization & multimodal planning)
CILT Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Türkiye
Çimsa Çimento (cement & building materials)
Cranfield School of Management
DFDS (multimodal freight logistics)
Diam Türkiye (retail & merchandising solutions)
DKM Group (customs brokerage & trade compliance)
Duisport (inland intermodal terminal)
Egesil-Evonik (silicon chemicals manufacturing JV)
Ekol Lojistik (integrated road & intermodal logistics)
Enerjisa Uretim (power generation)
EP Logistics International (EPH-owned multimodal freight logistics group)
F&L (shipper-led freight logistics peer network)
FIDE Konserve (canned food manufacturer & exporter)
Focus (customs brokerage & trade compliance)
Ford Otosan (automotive)
Fr. Meyer’s Sohn (global sea freight forwarding)
Francesco Parisi Group (international freight forwarding & logistics)
GBT Rail (intermodal rail logistics)
GreenRouter (carbon accounting software platform)
Heriot Watt University (global university headquartered in Scotand)
HIPP (organic baby food)
İlhan & Üstünoğlu & Şahin Law Firm
Inditex (multi-brand fashion retail including Zara)
Interporto Trieste (multimodal freight logistics terminal, Italy)
InterRail Europe (international rail freight forwarding)
Invest in Türkiye (investment promotion agency)
İstanbul Bilgi University
Izmir Katip Celebi University
K2Mobility (smart charging SaaS for heavy electric vehicle fleets)
Katoen Natie Lojistik
Kita Logistics (multimodal freight forwarding & logistics)
KNAPP (warehouse automation & intralogistics systems)
KoçZer (digitalising end-to-end purchasing)
Koton Tekstil (fashion)
Limar (port & ship operator)
LKW Walter (intermodal transport full trucks)
LODER (Logistics Association )
Mercedes-Benz (automotive)
OG Clean Fuels (sustainable clean fuels provider)
P&G (global consumer goods)
PayCargo International (global logistics payment platform)
Pernod Ricard (producer & beverage distributor)
Port Boulogne Calais (cross-Channel freight)
PSA BDP International Turkiye (global logistics)
PwC (global consulting & professional services)
Rail Cargo Logistics (international rail freight transport)
Railport
Rhenus Logistics Türkiye (global multimodal logistics)
Saudi Cargo (Saudi’s national air cargo carrier)
Sennder (digital road freight forwarding)
SGM Logistics (logistics & customs brokerage)
Siemens (industrial automation & rail technology)
Stargo (AI-powered logistics technology provider)
Stokport Lojistik (consultancy)
TEDAR Supply Chain Management Industry Association
TIM Türkiye Exporters Assembly (representing Turkish exporters)
TÜPRAŞ Türkiye Petrol Rafinereleri (oil refineries)
Turkish Cargo (international air cargo)
Turkroro Denizcilik ve Taşımacılık (intermodal transport provider)
TUSAŞ (aerospace & defence systems manufacturer)
UIRR International Union of Combined Road-Rail Transport
UND International Transporters’ Association
UTİKAD (Turkish Forwarding & Logistics Association)
Vega International (commercial vehicle transport & logistics)
WFP World Food Programme (humanitarian food logistics & distribution)
Wise Tech Global (multimodal logistics orchestration software)
Yapı Kredi (commercial banking)
Yusen Logistics Europe (global multimodal freight forwarding & logistics)

Previous F&L meetings

Participant list for “Priorities & Choices: stuck in Crisis Mode?” (Apr 2026)

Participant list for F&L at Nike (Oct 2025)

A confidential, high-level strategic commercial dialogue across industry sectors and transport modes between a diverse senior international community of Türkiye-based and international supply chain & logistics leaders. The focus is on market opportunities and value-creation strategies made possible by Türkiye’s position and role in the changing global supply chain landscape.

Türkiye is an important customer, a key supplier and a crucial partner. No longer simply Europe’s contingency manufacturing base, the country is becoming a permanent strategic node in European supply chain design. And supply chains now sit at the centre of commercial resilience, national competitiveness, customer trust and corporate strategy. The question is: are Türkiye and its European partners making the requirement for supply chain resilience a permanent opportunity? How will this happen? How important are collaborative partnerships? Is trust important?

in-person | Chatham House Rule | no recording | no media | no online participation | no sales pitches 

Session 1, Türkiye at the crossroads

• Welcome 
• Economic briefing – what we all need to understand about working in the Turkish market: the economic & business backdrop, Dr Altay Atlı
• Strategic challenges versus value-building opportunities
  • Industry Panel – if there is global change and if Türkiye is an important part of the supply chain, what reactions and strategic developments are we seeing? B/S/H/, Çetinkaya, WFP World Food Programme & Dr Altay Atlı
  • Audience comment & Q&A – what strategic changes do you see, and why?

Session 2, Operational pathways: evidence of change

Against the market backdrop; what evidence of constructive transformation?  Costs, capacity, market evolution, priorities?

• Facilitated discussion – audience & senior leaders: optimising growth, or overcoming challenges?  Panel response and reaction to YOUR operational priorities HIPP, Kita, Mercedes-Benz
• Parallel groups
  • Compliance and removing barriers, Catts-DKM-Focus tackle reducing customs complexity in multimodal supply chains between Türkiye & EU
  • Asset availability, capacity & capability, Mercedes-Benz Fleet, Vega International, Railport, Knapp
  • Middle Corridor, IndoMed, Med, Gulf … everything has changed: what is the future? Port Boulogne Calais, Francesco Parisi Group, Wise Tech Global
• Group summaries – 3 key points & Results: F&L international Confidence Pulse
  

Lunch & interest discussions on “Digitalisation/AI” & “Corridors”

Hype or reality? Logistics changing gear?

• How AI is transforming (cannibalising?) your role, Gökalp Kobe Ertuğrul

Session 3, ABC Acquire, Build from scratch or Collaborate (joint investment)?

Given the business environment & operational requirements, what structure works? Why?

• Audience led by P&G, Arkas, PwC & DFDS
  
• A, B or C?  Commercial decision-making; an uncertain environment – how to invest? Trust based end-to-end collaborative solutions for customers? How much do transaction and cost still rule? What capabilities must remain internal, and why? When / why should companies own logistics assets? Why / when does local expertise outweigh scale? Which partnerships will define the next decade and why?
  
• Scored Grid ranking A, B & C against your operational requirements from session 2
  

Session 4, Confidential – all participants

Your follow up & ‘The F&L Istanbul View 2026’

• Q. 1 – Do we have a consensus on ‘The F&L Istanbul view 2026’?
  Key conclusions on today’s freight logistics marketplace, Türkiye’s position & EU / Türkiye supply chains
  
• Q. 2 – Therefore, what are the key actions to achieve our ambitions?
  Key actions we should take for success, exploiting opportunities, reducing risk and managing today’s uncertainties

Further opportunities?  Close & thanks (16:15 – 16:30)

19:00 – Networking dinner evening for all participants

generously hosted by RailPort at Restoran Modern, Galataport (transport provided from Hotel Wyndham for international participants)

Choice of parallel visits: innovation, advanced infrastructure, evolving best practices & understand behind the scenes:

1. Railport Türkiye’s first İntermodal terminal Railport site visit.  Return transport provided from Levent (departs 08:00, lunch included, return by approx 15:00).
2. Knapp customers – a pharmaceutical wholesaler & a large supermarket chain – demonstrate intelligent intralogistics/warehouse automation in action.  Return transport provided from Levent (departs 08:45, visit, lunch, 2nd visit, return by approx 16:00).
3. Turkish Cargo’s SmartIst – Istanbul airport (IST) is a significant global air cargo hub for Europe, Asia, Africa & the Middle East.  No transport provided (visit 10:00 – 12:00).
4. The Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara & Dardanelles) are vital waterways.  The Directorate General of Coastal Safety (KEGM) manages traffic, pilotage, salvage, and emergency response through the Turkish Straits Vessel Traffic Service (TSVTS).

• Wed 23 Sept –  19:00 informal dinner at Köşebaşı Levent Levent, Çamlık Cd. No:15, 34330 Beşiktaş
• Thurs 24 Sept –  F&L agenda 09:30 – 16:30.  Evening dinner programme generously hosted by Railport at Restoran Modern, Galataport
• Fri 25 Sept –  Choice of industry visits on both the European and Asian side & continued networking

Wed 23 Sept

• Sleeping hotel – Wyndham Grand İstanbul Levent, Esentepe, Büyükdere Cd. No:177 D:183, 34394 Şişli/İstanbul
• 19:00 – relaxed dinner at Köşebaşı Levent, Çamlık Cd. No:15, 34330 Beşiktaş/İstanbul (15 mins walk from hotel)

Thurs 24 Sept *entrance only by advance ticket*

• Registration 09:30,  meeting 10:00 – 16:30, Yapı Kredi Bank HQ Building, Çamlik Street, Block D, Levent [what3words: sliders.football.union]
  • 10 mins walk from hotel
  • Parking 1 minute away at Beltaş Çamlık Otoparkı (Levent, Çamlık Cd., 34330 Beşiktaş) or 15 minutes away at Tedvir Otopark (Camii, Levent, Büyükdere Cd, Çayırmen sk, Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa, Otopark No:5 D:3, 34330 Beşiktaş/li>
• 19:00 – 22:30, Networking dinner evening for all participants at Restoran Modern, Galataport (Kılıçali Paşa, Tophane İskele Cd. No:1/1, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul) – return transport provided from Wyndham hotel

Fri 25 Sept *entrance only by advance ticket*

• Choice of visits to important industrial sites on Asian & European sides

• Dress code – general businesswear and any F&L members‘ products!
• Airport transfers can be booked through Havaist or by the Wyndham hotel airport concierge desk.  All taxis use cost taximeters according to the km.
• Questions welcome – please get in touch.

Railport is a brand new Intermodal Logistics Terminal built in the east-west trade corridor with the partnership of Arkas, one of the leading Turkish international holding companies, operating with a total of 67 companies in Türkiye and abroad, and duisport, the largest intermodal logistics terminal operator in Europe. Once finished, the terminal will be providing services in a total area of 265 thousand square meters. Linking the countries in Asia and the EU through the Iron Silk Road (the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway) and the European Railway respectively, Railport’s location was selected to function as a bridge for transportation not only between the countries in Asia and Europe, but also between those in Europe, Balkan and Central Asia (CIS). The new Intermodal Logistics Terminal will integrate Türkiye and Europe with the route from China to Central Asia, which extends to the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Georgia through the Trans-Asian Railway Network within the scope of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The Port of Boulogne Calais sits at the heart of major European maritime, road and rail traffic flows. Anchored on the English Channel coastline, Calais is a European leader in roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) freight and Boulogne-sur-Mer is France’s leading fishing port and Europe’s foremost seafood hub. With DFDS, the port has a new rail freight connection between Sète and Calais offer customers transit times of seven days for freight between Türkiye and the UK.

CATTS and DKM are part of the DKM Group, combining customs brokerage, managed services, consultancy and technology to support international businesses with customs and trade compliance. DKM brings extensive customs brokerage and customs management expertise, while CATTS operates as an extension of clients’ trade compliance teams, supporting areas including classification, origin, screening and broker management. Together, the group provides the operational capacity and specialist expertise needed to strengthen compliance and control across global trade.

Focus is a customs brokerage firm providing end-to-end customs and foreign trade solutions, combining hands-on operational expertise with comprehensive compliance, audit and consultancy capabilities. Focus manages import, export, transit, temporary import and other customs procedures, while supporting clients on classification, origin and customs valuation, special customs procedures, free zones, incentives and permits. Its advisory services cover AEO certification, compliance, customs audits, post-entry controls, regulatory advisory, training and legal support. This integrated model enables Focus to act as a customs broker and a strategic foreign trade partner, helping businesses operate efficiently, manage regulatory risks and maintain control over complex trade requirements.

TEDAR is the Supply Chain Management Association (TEDAR) in Türkiye; a non-profit NGO founded in 2013 to advance best practices, sustainability, and digitalisation in supply chain and logistics management across the Turkish business sector.

UTİKAD was founded in 1986 and, as the Turkish Forwarding and Logistics Association, is the most extensive non-governmental organisation of the Turkish transportation and logistics industry.  Members offer land, air, sea, rail, and combined transportation as well as warehousing services, fast cargo and package transportation services, customs brokerage and logistics services in Türkiye and abroad.  UTİKAD acts as the voice of the Turkish logistics industry and represents the industry and its members on several platforms at home and abroad.  Aside from its efforts aimed at achieving international standards and contributing to sustainable development of the industry and its members, UTIKAD conducts training activities for the fostering and development of a logistics culture in Türkiye as well.

The British Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye is one of Türkiye’s oldest non-profit business organisations and was established in 1887 with a mission to contribute to international trade and investment by bridging businesses in Türkiye with counterparts in the United Kingdom and beyond.  Its community, along with BCCT’s team and high profile Board Members provide BCCT with the ability to reach a great number of businesses, while the broad array of skill sets they represent translate into a robust capacity to deliver insightful, practical, value-added business support services that include business development, market intelligence, event management, and PR support.

The Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics in Türkiye is an accredited institution and encompasses all industries involved in freight and passenger transport within supply chains.  C.I.L.T. promotes the sharing of best practices, tracks innovations, and offers professional training to its members in five key areas: logistics, freight and passenger transport, transport planning, operations and supply chain management, sustainability, and the global community.

The LODER Logistics Association was founded in 2001 and is an association that accepts only individual membership, not corporate membership, and aims at professional and sectoral development. Among its approximately 750 active members are professionals from companies that receive and provide logistics services, academics, IT professionals, professionals from sectoral equipment sales companies, and members of the armed forces.

Yapı Kredi has been sustainably strengthening its market positioning in the sector since its establishment in 1944 through a customer-centric approach and focus on innovation. Yapı Kredi achieved total assets worth TL 3.8 trillion as of the first three months of 2026. Constantly seeking to increase its contribution to the financing of the Turkish economy with its customer-centric approach, Yapı Kredi enlarged the volume of its total cash and non-cash loans by 40% y-o-y in first quarter of 2026 to TL 2.8 trillion.

HOW – Hub of Warehouse stands as Turkey’s sole end-to-end intralogistics ecosystem.  On September 23-25, 2027, you can experience cutting-edge warehouse technologies first hand, ranging from advanced automation to AI-powered robotic (AGV/AMR) systems at the New Generation Warehouse Systems and Intralogistics Fair in Istanbul Expo Center.  Visitor info.

… F&L was created in 1994 by shippers & logistics providers who realised that they could not tackle logistics issues alone in their companies, or within a commercial structure.  They created a neutral, independent not-for-profit platform for senior logistics leaders and their teams to utilise cross-industry peer exchange to – judge today’s trade-offs – identify new opportunities for resilience and growth – catch blind spots – de-risk decision making – and determine facts, helping everyone build on real world experience to develop more practical, durable solutions and choose their own paths forward, together and separately.

F&L’s mission – to drive improved standards, learnings & the success of Members by leveraging the multi-stakeholder international community to spark knowledge sharing & tackle obstacles from every possible vantage point.

How is this achieved?  F&L is structured as a neutral (independent), not-for-profit, confidential, antitrust compliant Members’ forum and is registered in Belgium as a professional ASBL.  Multi-stakeholder membership is deliberately balanced to ensure a variety of perspectives across a host of variables.  F&L does not lobby but it does have strong relationships with policymakers and many other institutions and communities for its Members’ benefit.

Members are global / regional heads of logistics & supply chain, CEOs & senior management focused on freight logistics across the supply chain, asset owners, founders of critical solutions, all industry sectors and transport modes, based across Europe & globally (list).  Unlimited licences are provided for leaders to share the membership with colleagues (no charge).

“The important thing is to avoid the ‘narrow’ trap & the echo chamber”
“Access to informed external views & sheer breadth which it is not possible to organise by yourself”
“Where else can you ask questions openly and listen to others doing the same?”
“Learn, benchmark & challenge”
“We make better, more informed, more robust decisions”