Our Founder
Ertuğrul Kurdoğlu
(1932 - 2013)
Ertuğrul Kurdoğlu, one of Turkey's leading business figures, is the founder of Ata Group, which has a deep-rooted history in these lands. As an entrepreneur who turned dreams into reality, Kurdoğlu, during his successful 50-year career, implemented numerous projects in various sectors such as finance, technology, food, logistics, real estate, construction materials, fashion, tourism, and foreign trade, including the Atatürk Dam, the fifth-largest dam in the world. In addition to his reputation and successes in the business world, he contributed to the lives of millions. He summarized the secret of his success with the words: " It is our responsibility to make the world we live in a better place for future generations."
We are working to continue our founder's unique vision across generations and add value to our country.
About Ertuğrul Kurdoğlu
Ertuğrul Kurdoğlu, born in 1932 in Artvin, completed his primary, secondary, high school, and university education in Istanbul. After graduating from Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Faculty of Civil Engineering in June 1956, he worked at the State Hydraulic Works for five months.
Between 1958 and 1961, he served as Bridge Chief in the Highways Samsun Region, and from 1961 to 1968, he held positions such as Site Chief at Aras Inc., overseeing construction projects like the Elazığ-Bingöl railway and highway, and the Delice-Sungurlu-Çorum highway.
In March 1969, he founded Seri Construction Ltd. Co. and between 1969 and 1981, he undertook various projects such as Gülüşkür Palu road, Ovacık road, Şanlıurfa urban passage, Afşin Elbistan road, Elbistan Thermal Power Plant infrastructure and administrative buildings, Kırıkkale refinery infrastructure, railway construction, building constructions, and highway constructions like Zonguldak-Ereğli, İsmetpaşa-Kurşunlu, Köyceğiz-Dalaman, and Eski Foça-Yeni Foça. In 1983, Ata Construction Ltd. Co. was formed by the merger of Palet, Seri, and Enerji-Su companies, and it undertook the construction project of the Atatürk Dam. The project, initially planned for completion in 10 years, was finished in 8 years, becoming the 4th largest dam in the world. Atatürk Dam, with its international quality standards, gained global acclaim upon its completion in 1992. Ata Construction, established for the Atatürk Dam construction, continues its activities in Russia and Jordan. Ertuğrul Kurdoğlu is married and has three children, two sons (an civil engineer) and a daughter (a fashion designer).
I Came Here with My Dreams
The biography launch event of Ata Group Chairman Ertuğrul Kurdoğlu's "I Came Here with My Dreams" took place on November 21, 2012, at the Four Seasons Bosphorus, with broad participation from the business and society.
Authored in the 50th year of a successful business life crowned with the Atatürk Dam, one of the biggest projects in the history of the Republic, the Ertuğrul Kurdoğlu biography serves as a guiding light, particularly for young entrepreneurs.
The revenue from this biography, prepared in book and DVD formats, will be donated to Istanbul Technical University Development Foundation. The biography, which found its place on the shelves of D&R stores on November 22, carries the significance of repaying a debt of gratitude by referring to the emotional and intellectual richness that shapes today's Turkey.
Special Video from the Launch Night
Dear Youth,
Certainly, work for high goals. Your main goals should be for yourself, this country, this nation, and humanity beyond yourself. To surpass the contemporary level of civilization emphasized by Atatürk, it is only possible with knowledge. Therefore, give great importance to your education above all.
Because an uneducated society is an ignorant society.
Make sure to have a genuine profession, a skill, and a golden achievement. Whatever you do, strive to excel. Whatever you do, do it the best you can. Be the best at what you do, even if you become the worst politician or scientist, be the one pointed out by the mechanic. Work hard for this, never be lazy. Because the greatest enemy on the road to success is laziness. Don't take the easy way out and imitate others. Pave your own way and walk with determination. Then everyone will imitate you.
No matter where you are in the world, do not lose your identity, the Turkish language, the consciousness of Turkish history, and your thousands of years of tradition. The more you preserve your identity in foreign countries, the more foreigners will respect you.
Now, the task is to contribute to the rise, awareness, and increase of individuals who think of their country and nation before themselves, and thus elevate our country beyond the level of contemporary civilization.
I, Ertuğrul Kurdoğlu, sincerely believe that you, the youth, can achieve this and consider it a duty to support you.
