{"id":19325,"date":"2025-11-16T07:48:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-16T07:48:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/?p=19325"},"modified":"2025-11-16T07:48:53","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T07:48:53","slug":"memories-of-mengi-publications-in-the-footsteps-of-the-masters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/memories-of-mengi-publications-in-the-footsteps-of-the-masters\/","title":{"rendered":"In the Footsteps of the Masters: Memoirs of Mengi Yay"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mengi Meadow <\/a>As we approached the shipyard, the familiar metallic scent of Tuzla's morning hung in the air. Sounds, welding flames dancing in the wind, massive hangar doors... Everything was ready for the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Walking through a thin veil of mist between the sea and the sky, I was heading toward one of Turkey's most established shipyards to listen to a story that has been told for generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I arrived at Mengi Yay's office by the sea, observing my surroundings in the warm neighborhood atmosphere of Nuh Industrial Site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The assistant who greeted me accompanied me to H\u00fcseyin Mengi's office. When we opened the door, he rose from his desk with calm elegance and extended his hand with a warm smile. I sat down in the chair opposite him and, knowing his time was limited, wanted to start the conversation right away. At that moment, my eyes fell on the portrait of his beloved father, Ramazan Mengi, standing in the display case behind Mr. H\u00fcseyin. Who knows how many moments that frame had witnessed, standing in the corner...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With great impatience, I let H\u00fcseyin Bey speak. As soon as the conversation began, the most beautiful scenes of a documentary began to play in my mind. Listening intently, H\u00fcseyin Bey's first sentence echoed in the room:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMengi Yay is more than just a brand to me; it's a family legacy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While chatting, one could sense the pride of a master in his tone of voice. It was the voice of a manager who knew his job very well, a person who had succeeded in building a bridge between the past and the future.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

1980s Ayvansaray: Between Sounds, Sawdust, and Salt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every story has a setting. H\u00fcseyin Mengi's story also begins in Ramazan Mengi's workshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy father, Ramazan Mengi, was the one who laid the foundation for this business.\u201d <\/em>he says. \u201cBack then, sole proprietorships were the norm. My father's business wasn't a company; it was a labor of love.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind the things he recounted with a smile on his face lay a philosophy of mastery worthy of respect\u2014just as that generation, raised amid sawdust, learned to become masters not of carpentry but of ethics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Footsteps of the Masters: The Foundations of Nuh Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Ramazan Mengi, Muzaffer Yay joins this story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Mr. H\u00fcseyin spoke about his current partner, Muzaffer Yay, the smile on his face seemed to be a reminder of those old, difficult but equally exciting days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVictorious <\/em>brother<\/em> He was one of the masters who expanded and consolidated the business. I was more in the field, while he was at the center of the organization. That's how the foundations of Mengi Yay were laid.\u201d <\/em>says Mr. H\u00fcseyin. He then adds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVictorious <\/em>brother<\/em> His practical intelligence and the natural dialogue he established with the masters never disrupted the rhythm of production. While I was opening up to the outside world, he was the guarantor of the inner world, of that labor.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These words described two friends fighting on opposite sides of the same dream, like the helmsman and the compass of a ship; without one, the other would be incomplete.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

198<\/strong>3<\/strong>A New Port \u2013 From Ayvansaray to Tuzla<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1983... Turkey is entering a new economic era. With a decision made by the government, Tuzla begins to become the heart of yacht production. For the Mengi family, this situation means a journey to the final destination of a success beyond their wildest dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe move to Tuzla was a very important step for both us and the industry,\u201d says H\u00fcseyin Mengi, describing the turning point in Turkish yachting.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the people of Ayvansaray are slowly gathering in their new homes in Tuzla. With every hammer blow, every spark of welding, the labor of the past continues to be sealed into the future here.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The 2000s: So Everything Was About Telling a Story<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those years were a time when it was realized that expanding abroad was as much about \u201ctelling\u201d as it was about production...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. H\u00fcseyin begins meeting with his first customers. Each new acquaintance shapes his vision for the future. Young H\u00fcseyin Mengi describes how his horizons broadened with these words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I met with my first customers, I realized this: If we want to do a good job, it shouldn't just be about building a boat; it should be about telling a story. Customers don't find you; you have to find the customer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With this awareness, Mengi Yay becomes one of the first Turkish shipyards to combine professional communication with masterful production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marketing, promotion, visibility... All of these become new items on Mengi's agenda during that period.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When I was thinking about the most critical steps in transforming a craft into a global brand, a living proof of this philosophy unfolded before our eyes. At that moment, the doorbell rang and a foreign guest entered. Mr. H\u00fcseyin got up from his desk and extended his hand to his guest with a warm smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was no distance in their conversation; the foreign guest was as comfortable as if he were in his own home. At that moment, I realized that everyone who entered Mengi Yay's door was welcomed here as if they were a friend. Mr. H\u00fcseyin saw his guest off to the door, agreeing to meet again after our conversation. And the story continued from where it left off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2006:<\/strong> From Wood to Steel, Time to Show Courage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just as 1989 was a turning point for Turkish yachting, 2006 also marked a new crossroads in Mengi Yay's destiny. In those years, wood was like a relic that was being respectfully put away on a shelf, slowly giving way to the shiny silhouette of steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt that time, one of our customers said, \u2018This boat should be steel,\u2019 despite our agreement on wood. We had never touched steel before that day. It would be a big test for us, so we decided to try it,\u201d says Mr. H\u00fcseyin. This courage was a clear example to me of what the brand's current genetic code is based on.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The decision to switch to steel was both a technical change and a sign of vision. Because the risk taken that day would mark the beginning of a process that would position Mengi Yay among global manufacturers years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2008: Hard Times\u2026 Days of Crisis and Lessons Learned<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf we had taken a step back that day, we wouldn't be here today.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The real test for Mengi Yay began with the global crisis that followed shortly thereafter in 2008. As the world economy ground to a halt, yachts rose to the top of the luxury spending list, but the red alert was sounding: demand was nearly zero!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was hard,\u201d<\/em> says Mr. H\u00fcseyin. \u201cWhen we were facing stormy seas ahead and wondering how to weather the storm... We had to adapt to reality immediately, meaning the situation wasn't rosy, but we were careful in our customer selection. We moved forward with those who kept their word. Even after some customers passed away, the team ensured payments were made in full. This sense of trust kept us going.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those years were the years when Mengi Yay built character, not just a career...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou build trust in the international market not with projects, but with your stance.\u201d <\/em>He says, and one day he recounts a conversation he had with an experienced broker in America, Mr. H\u00fcseyin:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broker, \u2018Your boat is very nice. I could sell it here for 30% more, but I can't bring my customer to Turkey.\u2019<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These words echo in H\u00fcseyin Bey's mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo it was time for us to leave. It's not the boats that will show the world our stance, but our faces!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision made that day marks the first step toward Mengi Yay becoming visible in the global market.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The 2020s: A Star Rises from Tuzla to the World<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the 2008 crisis, Mengi Yay stands out as one of the few shipyards that continued on its path without faltering. As the years progressed, its production line stabilized, the importance of the global market became clearer, and the company continued to grow, solidifying each step along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then the world faces an unexpected test: the pandemic\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closed cities, closed borders, lives put on hold... But it is precisely during this time that the dream of setting sail grows larger than ever in people's minds. Orders are increasing, demand is rising rapidly; yet production capacity remains the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur capacity was 10, but we took on 20 jobs,\u2019 says Mr. H\u00fcseyin. \u201dYoung people aren't going into this line of work anymore. There's not enough manpower, and the workload is heavy.\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

At this point, Mengi Yay's rise is shaped not by the increase in the number of jobs it has taken on, but by the decisions it has made. The company is entering into partnerships with Barbaros Hayrettin Pa\u015fa High School and Piri Reis University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are launching a new model by inviting young people into the very heart of production: four days in the shipyard, one day at school...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are learning the practical aspects of the job and preparing for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. H\u00fcseyin's face lights up with obvious pride at this point:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWithout engaging young people, there is no future for this endeavor.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At that moment, as I listened to Mr. H\u00fcseyin's belief in young people, I thought to myself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps what makes Mengi Yay one of the most reliable brands in global waters today is not just the skillfully built boats; it is this quiet but determined preparation for the future?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every step on the field, every new young player, every bold decision... When they all came together, the picture emerged on its own:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Mengi Yay Shipyard is now among the stars of the global market, not just Turkey's.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we conclude the interview, I thank Mr. H\u00fcseyin. With his usual dignity, he stands up and shakes my hand. Then he politely asks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you have lunch? The ladies working in our kitchen make amazing food, so I think you shouldn't miss it.\u2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courtesy that is unpretentious, sincere... A hospitality worthy of respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I thanked him and left his room, his words stayed with me, and I was happy with what I had learned. While Mr. H\u00fcseyin was preparing to host his foreign guest, I headed to the guest room for the lunch that awaited me. Soon my meal arrives, just as Mr. H\u00fcseyin said it would. After the incredibly delicious meal, I tell the sisters how lucky the staff here are to have such tasty food, and the sisters sum up the day with these words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018This place is great for us. We feel that the work we do is valuable. We are the lucky ones.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After lunch, Mr. H\u00fcseyin's assistant greets me. As we walk through the shipyard, another scene unfolds at the open door of each hangar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Masters, paint fumes, sounds, the hull skeletons of boats rising up in the middle like giant sculptures...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We occasionally come across young interns. The curiosity and excitement in their eyes is immediately noticeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, we've reached the end of the day...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I leave Nuh Industrial Site, every scene I leave behind plays like a film reel in my mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. H\u00fcseyin's story,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hangar sliding door,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calm employees,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The excitement of young interns who carry the future in their eyes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final words: This story is just a small part of Mengi Yay's long journey. The rest of the pages are still being written; in the footsteps of the masters, in the future of the young, and in every new morning at the shipyard...<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mengi Yay Tersanesi\u2019ne do\u011fru ilerlerken havada, Tuzla\u2019n\u0131n sabah\u0131na \u00f6zg\u00fc o tan\u0131d\u0131k metal koku yay\u0131l\u0131yordu. Sesler, r\u00fczg\u00e2rla dans eden kaynak alevleri, dev hangar kap\u0131lar\u2026 Her \u015fey g\u00fcne haz\u0131rd\u0131.  Denizle g\u00f6ky\u00fcz\u00fc aras\u0131ndaki ince bir sis perdesinin i\u00e7inden ge\u00e7erek, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019nin en k\u00f6kl\u00fc tersanelerinden birinde, nesiller boyu s\u00fcregelen bir hik\u00e2yeyi dinlemeye do\u011fru y\u00fcr\u00fcyordum. Nuh Sanayi Sitesi\u2019nin o s\u0131cak mahalle […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":19339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[153],"tags":[507,479,510,508],"class_list":["post-19325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mavi-rotalar","tag-huseyin-mengi","tag-mengi-yay","tag-nuh-sanayi-sitesi","tag-ramazan-mengi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19325"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19325\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19340,"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19325\/revisions\/19340"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yathaberturkiye.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}