Project Update: Akcaba fiber Optics

The Akcaba Fiber Optics project is equipment acquisition and set up of a new manufacturing plant to produce fiber optics pigtails and patchcords. Based on the previous project deliverable of defining a new logo, the new manufacturing business is now known as FOPPEX.


In February, local consultant Cigdem Aksu facilitated a follow up map day meeting with Faize Akcaba (Managing Director and manager of this PDPM project) and her team. Team members got to cross off the deliverables they had completed on the original deliverables map, before defining the details of the next project horizon which includes deciding where to site the new plant and publishing tenders. It was clear that by conducting the meeting mostly in Turkish, the team was able to participate more fully.



Faize has traveled to China since the first Map Day to tour existing pigtail and patchcord plants. Her thorough documentation of this trip is helping the team envision their new plant and define the details of the plan.


A risk on this project has been the uncertainty of whether the Minister of Industries could provide a suitable site for the new manufacturing plant. To date, one property has been viewed, but a decision has not been made. Akcaba has a property it could use as a default if a better one is not offered. This critical decision will need to be made soon.

Faize is also seeking the first new employee of the manufacturing plant. There were no responses to the first job posting. However, a second posting in Turkish has yielded 5 candidates so far.