Profile of the Chairman

M.ALI SÖZMEN : Born in 1945. Graduated from Middle East Technical University ( METU ) / Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in 1970. Also M.A degree at Management. He has been through high executive levels in the private sector until 1982. Established his own company " MAKPA Foreign Trade & Marketing Inc " in 1982 as a pioneer group of the industrial kitchen & laundry for the hospitality sector being also the sole distributor of the leading international manufacturers of said sector. Mr. Sözmen has run the Presidency of TUSID ( Turkish Kitchen and Laundry Manufacturers and Distributors Association ) for 2 periods and currently is the member of various committees of TUSID. He is also the Chairman of MAKPA Inc. and founder partner & Vice President of B.D.C Inc. ( Business Development & Consultancy Inc. )

He was elected as Chairman of EFEDA in December 2004.

Chairman Foreword

The aim of EFEDA is to gain a voice in Europe to influence matters relating to European foodservice equipment users, on which the European Commission in Brussels could legislate. EFEDA is able to influence on these issues due to its professional understanding of the foodservice equipment market.

EFEDA can be used to relay messages to its members in the foodservice equipment market and we are always looking at improving or providing new means to achieve effective communication on all opportunities and threats, facing equipment distributors and manufacturers throughout Europe. This may be on issues that we have been involved in directly or may be information passed on by our allied organisations wishing to reach a wide target audience of issues that they are involved in.

We are able to assist both members and customers by being able to constructively answer questions on equipment approvals and quality standards in Europe and help build a better understanding of these standards.

Ali Sözmen
Chairman