HONORARY PRESIDENT OF ORHAN HOLDING İBRAHİM ORHAN WAS AWARDED THE LEGION D’HONNEUR OF FRANCE.
Honorary President of Orhan Holding, İbrahim Orhan’s Order of the Legion of Honour was presented by French Ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili.
French Ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili noted that one of the biggest reasons to award İbrahim Orhan with the Legion d'Honneur is not just the fact that Orhan Holding is the Biggest Turkish investor in France with great contributions to the country’s economy, but also his positive attitude towards human values and innovative ideas.
In the ceremony, held in İstanbul Beyoğlu, French Palace on Saturday 12 October, Honorary President of Orhan Holding İbrahim Orhan, a great international team player of the Turkish automotive industry, with investments and partnerships from Mexico to China, was awarded with "Legion d’Honneur" of the French Government.
In his speech Laurent Bili, French Ambassador to Turkey, has praised Orhan Holding while presenting the Legion d’Honneur to İbrahim Orhan.
"An automobile with brand name Orhan"
In his speech, the French Ambassador to Turkey gave point to very well functioning collaboration of France and Turkey in automobile industry and that one of the worlds giant Renault has been developing its presence as one of the leader of the sector for long years now and has continued his speech:
“The Turkish automotive sector, in a sense, means France. Also the French automobile sector, in a sense, means Turkey. And Orhan Holding has an important contribution to this, thanks to their high quality automobile parts they have been providing. Today, when you buy a Renault automobile means actually you buy an automobile with brand “Orhan”. Orhan Holding is the first company to invest in France in this sector. And still, the highest Turkish investment in France, are those who made by Orhan Holding.”
Laurent Bili, French Ambassador to Turkey, has indicated that they are grateful to the efforts of Orhan Holding and said to İbrahim Orhan, Honorary President of Orhan Holding “Mr. Orhan, we want to award you with this important Order of Legion d’Honneur not only because of your leadership in the industry but also because of your approach to human values. You have always said "human first".
13 countries, 28 companies and 7300 employees
“İbrahim Orhan, who made a speech after being awarded with the Legion d’Honneur, which is the most prestigious international decoration of France, said that he feels great pleasure as a Turkish company investing in France and creating employment there and added: “We believed in France and France believed in us. In 1972, Renault asked our company, which was known under the name “Teknik Malzeme” at that time, to produce parts. And we did. Since that, we made everything Renault asked for. And as Renault grew, so did we. Renault become globalized and we have become a company with investments in 13 countries today.”
The Honorary President of Orhan Holding İbrahim Orhan, indicating that they are active in 8 different sectors, said: “We have 7300 employees in 28 companies. I have passed the torch to my beloved son Murat and daughter Ayşegül. I am proud and happy to see that they are showing great effort, just like chevaliers. I hope that Orhan Holding will continue to grow under the leadership and vision of the young generations and continue production across borders.”
“Receiving the same Medal, which was given to Atatürk, increases our joy infinitely”
Légion d'Honneur is a French medal based on a law passed in 19 May 1802 signed by Napoleon Bonaparte, while he was the First Consul of France. According to the information received, Napoléon Bonaparte, who became the French Emperor in May 1804, started to award people with this Medal. Nowadays this Medal continues to be given by the French Government from artists to scientists, a wide range of people.
Légiond'Honneur, which is the most known French Medal, is divided into five degrees. These are Grand-Croix, Grand-Officier, Commandeur, Officier and Chevalier.
İbrahim Orhan has been awarded with the ‘Chevalier dans I’Ordre de la Legion d’Honneur’, thanked to Ambassador Laurent Bili and said: “The world sees a leader in every century. This decoration, which has been created by Napoleon Bonaparte, the greatest leader of the 18th century, was awarded to many distinguished people before me. This high “Chevalier” honor has been given to people who conduct their works with high spirits and gave their heart to a mission and are devoted to that” and added :“But I felt a great joy to remember that another one was awarded to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who is the greatest leader of the 20th century and our savior, founder and our greatest ancestor”. İbrahim Orhan also thanked to his wife, children and the employees of Orhan Holding for their contribution in receiving this honor.