Viko

VIKO was founded in Istanbul, Turkey in 1966. Up until 1980 the company manufactured a narrow range of products namely, group sockets and accessories.

History

VIKO is providing product solutions for the handling of low voltage electricity current at different stages in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The company’s product portfolio includes wiring devices (switches & sockets), multi sockets, accessories, miniature circuit breaker boxes, smart meters & automatic meter reading solutions, low voltage switchgears and building automation systems. VIKO is the market leader in wiring devices and exports approximately 40 percent of its turnover to 75 countries in Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa. According to 2011 figures VİKO was ranked 357th in terms of turnover, 224th in terms of profitability and 210th in terms of export sales within the ‘Istanbul Chamber of Commerce’ 500 list.

The company’s production and warehouse facilities are located in the Sancaktepe district of Istanbul within a covered area of 60.000 m2. As of 2013, the industrial facilities of VIKO are the largest within its sector in Turkey and have a yearly production capacity of 100.000.000 units of wiring devices.

VIKO won the ‘Turkish Industry & Business Association – Turkish Quality Association’ (Tüsiad-KalDer) National Quality Award for its implementation of the EFQM Perfection Model in 2005. In 2008, VIKO was the first company in its sector to have been allowed to participate in the state supported ‘Turquality’ brand support programme. The following year, the ‘Turkish Patent Institute’ granted VIKO the prestigious brand status. In 2012, VIKO’s research and development (R&D) facilities were officially recognized by ‘The Republic of Turkey – Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology’ as a R&D center. The company also holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 17025 as well as OHSAS 18001 certifications.

As regards to corporate social responsibility, VIKO won ‘The Best Volunteer Program’ category award organized by ‘The Corporate Volunteer Association’ in 2012. ‘The Corporate Volunteer Association’ was founded in 2002 to encourage social responsibility projects among the Turkish private sector.

In November 2013, Viko merged with Panasonic Corporation.

Milestones

VIKO light switch with fitting box

VIKO main plug

• 2013 – Panasonic Corporation foreseed the high quality and potential of VIKO and closed the deal of %90 shares of the company.
• 2012 – First recognized R&D center by ‘The Republic of Turkey – Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology’ within the sector
• 2010 – Novella S Slide Dimmer – Sector’s first touch sensitive switch
• 2010 – Production of 500 millionth wiring devices
• 2009 – Granting of prestigious brand status by ‘The Turkish Patent Institute’
• 2008 – Allowed to participate in state supported ‘Turquality’ brand support programme
• 2008 – ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification
• 2006 - Production of 250 millionth wiring devices
• 2006 – Relocation to current production facilities in the Sancaktepe district of Istanbul
• 2005 – Won the ‘Turkish Industry & Business Association – Turkish Quality Association’ (Tüsiad-KalDer) National Quality Award for implementation of the EFQM Perfection Model
• 2005 – Launch of wiring devices utilizing LED technology applications under the ‘Thea’ brand
• 2004 – ISO 17015 certification
• 2002 – Production of 100 millionth wiring devices
• 2000 – Production of 50 millionth wiring devices
• 1980 – Founding year

External links

• Official website