"With our approach that embraces global quality standards, we proudly expand both ourselves and our global footprint."
Founded in Manisa in 1982, Üçel Ayakkabı quickly achieved high performance with its "Quality First" principle.
Established in Manisa in 1982, Üçel Ayakkabı has been achieving sustainable sustainability, innovation, and global success ever since. Founded in 1982, the company has quickly achieved significant success with its "Quality First" products. It prioritizes R&D and innovation. With its extensive dealer network across Turkey, more than 60 percent of its production is exported. Since then, the company has been continuously expanding its registered dealer network, along with its brand-building, quality-focused, and customer-focused policies, and is also gaining a voice in international markets. The second generation is now at the helm of the business, led by its children.
Rıfat Sarı, Chairman of the Board of Üçel Ayakkabı A.Ş., explained Üçel Ayakkabı's path to success. "You either become a brand or you sell a brand. As a company, we aim to be a brand," he said.
"Our products are the top choice in Turkey's largest shoe tenders.
Sarı continued, "Founded in 1982, Üçel Ayakkabı is not only a shoe manufacturer; it is also a visionary organization that operates on a project-based basis and leads the industry. Our company exports more than 60% of its production through its extensive dealer network throughout Turkey. We operate in many European countries, particularly the Turkic Republics, the Middle East, the United States, and Germany, and are a major player in the international market. The agreements we have signed with public institutions affiliated with the Republic of Turkey are the most concrete indicators of this trust and success."
Rıfat Sarı, noting that the shoes produced at Üçel Ayakkabı facilities are available to users worldwide, said, “Our products are the top choice in Turkey's largest shoe tenders and distinguish themselves with their quality in both the public and private sectors. With our unique models, designed and engineered in-house, we win first prizes in sectoral competitions. We distinguish ourselves not only with standard production but also with our project-based, custom products. Chief among these is the world's first and only Dart shoe. Produced exclusively at Üçel Ayakkabı facilities under the Triple 20 brand, this special product is now available to users worldwide and has garnered significant global attention. With this unique project, we continue to proudly raise the World Quality Award to the top, as we always do.”
Emphasizing their commitment to green transformation, Rıfat Sarı said, “In line with our sustainability goals, we participated in the European Union and KOSGEB-supported Green Transformation projects in 2023 and made significant investments in energy efficiency. As of 2024, our entire factory will be operating with energy generated from our own solar power plant. By selling excess energy to the energy authority, we contribute both economically and environmentally. Building on this success, we launched our second phase project in collaboration with KOSGEB at the end of 2025. Our artificial intelligence-supported production facility, developed as part of the “Green Industry Transformation 2” program, has become operational. We aim to reduce fossil fuel use by at least 9 percent and total energy and electricity consumption by at least 10 percent during the 2025–2026 period. Furthermore, this project will reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste by at least 12 percent. In this way, we are proud to make a strong contribution to the global green industry in a short time.”
We've taken a strong step into the medical footwear sector with our Dr. Flexer brand.
Sarı noted that they offer innovative solutions for foot health with a wide range of products. He said, “We support these technology investments with our healthcare initiatives. With our Dr. Flexer brand, we've taken a strong step into the medical footwear sector. From vibrating models to orthopedic and diabetic shoes, from Hallux Valgus slippers to heel spur slippers, we offer innovative solutions for foot health. Meeting rapidly growing demand across Turkey, Dr. Flexer products have quickly established a strong position in the medical footwear sector, clearly demonstrating our brand's commitment to this area. We've accelerated our efforts to meet this demand and will solidify our position in the sector by opening our first medical store by the end of 2025.”
Rıfat Sarı continued: “We also offer our products directly, establishing one-on-one contact with our customers in our select stores located in the Central Anatolia and Aegean regions. We aim to expand this approach; as part of our 2026 mission, we plan to establish stores in at least three regions of Turkey—the Mediterranean, Marmara, and Southeastern Anatolia—to connect directly with our customers and enhance their one-on-one experiences. As Üçel Ayakkabı, we are not just a manufacturer; we are a pioneer of a vision based on technology, sustainability, and health. With our approach that embraces global quality standards, we are proudly expanding our footprint both domestically and globally.”