TMBA Sends Warmth to Türkiye: Responding with Donations for Earthquake Relief Efforts
On the morning of the 6th, a massive magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Türkiye, causing severe casualties and damage. The Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA) called upon its member companies to join the "Machine Tool Industry Donation for Türkiye Earthquake Relief." This initiative aims to assist the Turkish people in overcoming the crisis and rebuilding their homes, with all proceeds donated to the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s disaster relief account. Furthermore, TMBA Chairman Patrick Chen traveled to Türkiye in mid-February to visit the Machine Tools Industrialists & Business Association (TİAD). Beyond offering condolences, he discussed practical support that Taiwanese manufacturers can provide to local customers.
Taiwan's machine tool industry cluster is primarily concentrated in the Greater Taichung area. The memory of the 1999 Jiji (921) earthquake, which devastated central Taiwan and caused heavy loss of life and property, remains vivid. Consequently, Taiwanese manufacturers deeply empathize with the trauma and destruction caused by such seismic events.
TMBA stated that discussions regarding the Türkiye relief fund began immediately after the government announced the official donation accounts, quickly drawing enthusiastic support from members. During his visit to TİAD in mid-February, Chairman Patrick Chen emphasized Taiwan's commitment to supporting Turkish partners through professional technical assistance and reconstruction planning.
For Turkish customers whose production lines were damaged, TMBA noted that Taiwanese manufacturers can provide repairs and professional consultations through local agents or branch offices. This includes developing reconstruction plans and technical solutions for post-disaster equipment restoration, as well as assisting customers in seeking financial support and resources from relevant institutions.
Furthermore, Taiwanese firms are offering professional equipment and technical services, such as replacing damaged components or leasing temporary machinery and tools, to help Turkish clients rebuild their production lines. Beyond technical expertise, manufacturers are also providing emotional support and condolences to help their Turkish counterparts navigate the stress and challenges brought by this disaster.
Driven by strong industries such as automotive, white goods, aerospace, and healthcare, Türkiye possesses a robust manufacturing base. Its diverse export markets—including Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the U.S.—represent significant opportunities for machine tool consumption. However, as Türkiye’s domestic machine tool technology cannot yet fully satisfy its varied industrial needs, the country relies heavily on imports.
In 2022, Türkiye was the third-largest export market for Taiwanese machine tools, with an export value of US$250 million, accounting for 8.4% of Taiwan’s total machine tool exports and reflecting a 5.4% annual growth. Despite the severe economic impact of the pandemic, the depreciation of the Lira, and additional tariffs, Taiwan's export growth to Türkiye demonstrates the exceptional competitiveness of its machine tools and highlights Türkiye’s status as a strategic hub for Taiwanese operators in the European market.
